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Sports Goulash

Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.

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A little title-game help

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on January 16, 2008 at 9:16PM EST

We did this about a year ago, but now I'm narrowed down and focused. And a little bit wiser.

Before state basketball, I'm going to take a look back at the 25 best state championship games ever played in the Events Center. By no means is the list final. I'm asking for your help.

There are a few that stick out to me:

2006 Class 1A girls, Lingle beats Encampment by one on a 3-pointer at the buzzer

1997 Class 2A boys, Rocky Mountain beats Wyoming Indian on a last-second shot

2000 Class 4A girls, Natrona County tops Gillette in double-overtime

2004 Class 3A boys, Thermopolis beats Kemmerer in overtime

2002 Class 1A boys, Chugwater beats Arvada-Clearmont as Doug Baker goes off for 51

And... wait for it...

1990 Class 3A boys, Newcastle beats Torrington for the fourth time that season. :)

But to get to 25, I'm going to need some help. What are some other Events Center championship games that stick out in your mind? And which championship game was the best of them all?

Remember, state championship hoops came to Casper in 1983, but not every tournament since then was played under the red roof. I'm looking for Casper-specific championship games....

Please help me out. I'm planning to include some of the comments posted here with my story that will run in the paper. If you'd rather keep your comments private, you can e-mail them directly to me at patrick.schmiedt@trib.com.

Go!

Send This | Categories: Basketball

(27) Comments

Posted by: HS Sports Fan on January 16, 2008 11:52PM EST

I would have to say the best was also my first. 1990 3A Boys - Newcastle not only beat Torrington for the 4th time that season, I believe at least two of the games went into overtime. And the biggie, Newcastle was down 20+ points in the 4th quarter. I still remember Coach Ibach calling a timeout, and righting the troups!

Posted by: Brian Lynch on January 17, 2008 12:19AM EST

I was at the game in 2006 when Lingle beat Encampment on that last second three cheering on my sister who was a senior on the Encampment team. I have watched a lot of basketball, and that stands out as the most improbable and amazing ending in ANY game I've seen. Considering a three peat was on the line and Lingle came from virtually no where to beat Guernsey and then topple Encampment, I'd personally give that game the nod. Plus, that last second three was actually tipped by an Encampment player. (How many times do you ever see that happen??)

Posted by: Stat Rat on January 17, 2008 12:56AM EST

1996 2A girls title game. Lusk wins their 5th state championship over Wind River on a last second three-pointer by Ann Anderson. Lusk was dead in the water, behind 24-15 to Randy Rhoden's Lady Cougars after three quarters, quite the defensive battle. Deb Murray's Lady Tiger offense fnally caught fire in the final quarter outscoring the Pavillion girls 23-12. Anderson's trey went through the net with three or four seconds left, I believe. [Sally Powers (now Nicholls, Natrona VB coach) was Lusk's center, playing her final bb game.] rat

Posted by: Anonymous on January 17, 2008 3:41AM EST

The 2006 Lingle-Encampment game was a great won. But I recall the game after that had a very exciting finish also...

Posted by: rangerpride on January 17, 2008 9:31AM EST

I think you have to look at the 2003 game of Thermopolis and Rangers as well. A great battle just not quite as close as the 04 game

Posted by: JA on January 17, 2008 10:51AM EST

I too agree that the 1990 Dogie's game has to be among the top... I was only a tike but still remember Newcastle being down 20+ and being so confused how they managed to come back and even up the score. Maybe the greatest win in Dogie sports...

Also take a look at that coaching staff... Head Coach Mike Ibach(left newcast a few years later and won back to back titles at Thermop), Brett Weaver(retired from hoops for a few years and came back when Newcastle couldn't find a coach and had three over acheiving seasons at the helm), and Paul Prosinski(had a 5th place finish 05', Champs 06', 3rd 07', and has a very competive squad this year)....

Posted by: DR on January 17, 2008 10:57AM EST

1998 3A Mountain View girls defeat Douglas 48 to 46 with a last second shot from Sunny Guild. The girls finished the season 25-0 after being beat the year before by Douglas in the Championship. Sunny went on to play for UTEP for five seasons.

Posted by: Kevin Williams on January 17, 2008 11:00AM EST

Wow! Great games, great competition, and great memories. This is why high school sports are so special to so many people in this great state.

Posted by: Anonymous on January 17, 2008 12:01PM EST

The Greybull-Lovell 2006 2A boys game was pretty special. A putback at the buzzer gave GHS the title.

Posted by: Mick on January 17, 2008 1:00PM EST

I am a bit prejudice here but I think last year's 2A girls championship between Tongue River Lady Eagles and the Big Horn Lady Rams could be towards the top. Down most of the game, the Eagles fought back and Beth Yellowtail's put back with 2.7 seconds in the game to tie was a shot not only she will remember, but all TR fans (and Big Horn) will remember for a long time. TR went on to win with Courtney Johnson scoring 14 of her 22 points in the 4th quarter and overtime. It was exciting knowing that a three-peat was on the line and the girls never quit.

Posted by: Bianca on January 17, 2008 1:42PM EST

URL: http://my.trib.com/post/patrickschmiedt/blog/a_little_titlegame_help.html

Good Luck!

Posted by: preston collins on January 17, 2008 1:47PM EST

URL: http://my.trib.com/post/patrickschmiedt/blog/a_little_titlegame_help.html#addcomment

i cant remember if it was 96' or 97', but it was the boys 4A state final game between Rock Springs and Cheyenne Central. The game went in to overtime with Central winning but i can remember cuz rock springs hasnt won a championship since 76' and that was the first time they had been there fo a while..Derrick Yarber from RS and somethin Chew was the big names playing in tha game

Posted by: GrizzFan on January 17, 2008 3:13PM EST

Minchow's last second shot for the Grizz to win in 97 over the Chiefs. Also, 1986 Lovell over the Chiefs to end 2 year state title run for the Chiefs.

Posted by: Fan on January 17, 2008 5:04PM EST

I like the 2006 Greybull championship when the air ball was put back in as time expired.

Posted by: Chris Gray on January 17, 2008 7:45PM EST

Well Patrick, you already know my opinion about it! Just wanted to be sure you got the significant point about being down by 20-that's TWENTY-with 6 minutes left in regulation! The first game against Torrington that year, they were ranked number 1, & we beat them in 2 over-times in a packed Dogie Dome. The second game we won in regulation. Then, we played them short-handed (can't remember why we were missing some guys!) for the Regional Championship, & won another tight one! Patrick, I just can not stress enough to you how great a game that State Championship was (yes, played in Casper). I about got beat up over it 2 years after the fact when a former Torrington star in that game joined our football team at Black Hills State as an offensive lineman & we had discussions about it! In fact, I believe the police are still under orders to pull over any 21 county license plate that dares venture into their fair city!! Go Dogies!! (was that you above Josh?)

Posted by: JA on January 17, 2008 10:00PM EST

I believe the reason some Dogies weren't able to participate was due to the great "HAM" incident on the way to the game (Regionals, maybe?). And yes Chris it is I, D-O-G-I-E-S!!!

Posted by: Annonymous on January 18, 2008 1:00AM EST

Evanston in 2004, Devils win their first title in 20+ years and first in 4a, They also beat number 1 Natrona for the second time and finish the season with only 2 total losses and no losses to any wyoming teams. The game seemed to be in control the whole time but the cumulation of a great season and finally getting over the hump made it a special championship.

Posted by: Brady on January 18, 2008 9:25AM EST

Everyone, please don't be fooled for a second by Chris that he "can't remember why we were missing some guys!". His memory is not that bad. Nice try Chris. I bet that you have tried to forget, though. Hilarious! (now, of course, not then)

Posted by: fishmaster on January 18, 2008 10:23AM EST

You're right Gray. when I came down, they made me change my 21 plates to 7 in a hurry! :>) See you in the Dome tonight for another couple of good Torrington/Newcastle battles.

p.s. The Mt. View over Douglas (98) game with Sunny Guild was a heck of a game with Mt. View coming back in the final minute like 8 down or something.

Posted by: Chris Gray on January 19, 2008 12:06AM EST

Hey Fish Master! Nice game tonight! I was glad to see our lady Dogies fight the whole way & hang in there, but you were right, you have a speedy, salty bunch! Yes Brady, time has a way of putting all things into perspective! I have met people around the state, STILL, that ask about the "incident"! Funny how people remember the hi-jinx above all else!! Wow Jeff-I got laryngitis calling Diana's name so often tonight! She is a stud! I will definitely follow her progress in track! See ya' next time!! Josh-hope to see you & the fam when Buffalo comes here!!

Posted by: Chris on January 19, 2008 6:10PM EST

How about Sheridan boys in 03, the cocky stud from sheridan hit a 3 with around 2.0 seconds left in the game to win it

Posted by: 2afantic on January 21, 2008 2:03AM EST

URL: http://hotmail.com

chris 1990 newcatle chapionahip truth..I think there were some extra moons shining out the back window of the bus during that ride to the regional tournament that, day. I think Carry Heib and whoever else had to carry some of the weight of the missig team mates at regional championship among with some other off the bench. That 1990 third game against torrington. which was good. It showed the rest of team just how important the rest becnh was to them! THOSE MOON SHINERS JUST HAPPENED TO SHINE THE MOON TO THE WRONG lttle old LADY. AS punishment THEY HAD TO SET OUT THAT WHOLE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT, THEY DID WIN THAT GAME ALthough they were short handed against torrington. The moonshiners got to play after their punishment of not playing at regionals,They got to play at state where they met up with Torrington again where they got down by 20 pts. in the fourth. then a major turn around with some three pointers and they got back into the game and won it. moral of the story. dont show your moons to little old ladies WHILE in a school bus that has your town and school dist no 1 from weston COUNTY on the side of it lol!!!!

Posted by: Chris Gray on January 21, 2008 12:48PM EST

So, the jig is up, eh? I guess "hind"-sight is 20-20!!

Posted by: HS Sports Fan on January 21, 2008 11:44PM EST

So Mr. Gray - Do you prefer to press or hang?

Posted by: Chris Gray on January 22, 2008 1:11AM EST

Well, back in the day, pressing was my modus operandi, now however, I hang dry-whether I want to or not!

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on January 24, 2008 8:45PM EST

Just thinking about how many buzzer-beaters there have been since '83: Guild, Minchow, Worley, Patrick and Star Valley's Bridget Brog on the right end, several others who have missed them on the wrong end. And several others decided by shots in the final 5 seconds, with Anderson, Royer (the "cocky stud" from Sheridan), et. al. State tourney never lacks drama, that's for sure, especially on Saturday night.

Posted by: HS Sports Fan on February 4, 2008 12:18AM EST

Patrick - When are you going to post the top 25 title games? I am anxious to see it.