Silly me.

I thought Wyoming didn't have a state girls basketball tournament until 1976.

I was only 50 years off.

Try 1926. That was the first year of the "state" girls basketball tournament organized by old Lingle coach Clyde Braden.

From the March 12, 1979, edition of the Star-Tribune:

"Distaff state tournaments in Wyoming date back ton 1926. A total of 12 state tournaments were scheduled between '26 and 1937 and nine of them were held. State champions and runnersups in the first era of Wyoming girls' basketball follow:
1926 Wheatland, 1st; Lingle, 2nd
1927 Flu epidemic
1928 Newcastle, 1st; Lusk, 2nd
1929 Canceled by a blizzard
1930 Lingle, 1st; Wheatland, 2nd
1931 Lingle, 1st; Wheatland, 2nd
1932 Newcastle, 1st; Lingle, 2nd
1933 Guernsey, 1st; Lingle, 2nd
1934 Wheatland, 1st; Pine Bluffs, 2nd
1935 Torrington, 1st; Burns, 2nd
1936 Flu epidemic
1937 Torrington, Guernsey
The final tournament in 1937 included a 20 team field.
Beth Ashburn hit a shot from center court to Torrington the championship. She was 10-for-10 from the line in that game."

Before stumbling across this article, I had never heard of these tournaments. They've really piqued my interest, and I'm interested in tracking down some people for a story on these tournaments.

My question for you: Do you know anybody who played, coached, officiated or watched one of these tournaments? If so, please give me a call at (307) 266-0615 or shoot me an e-mail at patrick.schmiedt@trib.com. Thanks.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com