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Sports Goulash

Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.

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Who's on your starting five?

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on May 7, 2008 at 11:59PM EST

The rosters for the all-star basketball series got me thinking: What would be your all-time starting five?

That is, what five players from the annals of Wyoming basketball history would you want on the floor for you? There are plenty of greats to choose from, and picking five out of the thousands upon thousands that have played hoops in Wyoming is tough enough. But here's my best efforts. I encourage you to try and do better, because I know I missed some greats.

BOYS: I'm cheating a bit by starting three guards (depending on who you talk to, maybe five guards) and no center, but what the heck -- the Runnin' Smittys don't care -- my five versus your five any time.

Guard: Lew Roney, Laramie. He was a three-time all-stater for the Plainsmen and an all-America pick his senior season. From what I understand, it's not that Roney was the greatest basketball player, it's just that he was so athletic that he was good at most anything he did -- and that included, to a huge extent, basketball.

Guard: Jaycee Carroll, Evanston. Few players have dominated the offensive end the way Carroll did in high school. He averaged close to 40 points per game as a senior, and did so while playing against a load of Class 4A teams trying to stop him.

Guard: Myron Chavez, Wyoming Indian. The Chiefs' run-and-gun heyday of the mid-1980s went through Chavez. He was the guy that made that team go -- prolific scorer and pesky 94-foot defender.

Forward: James Johnson, Cheyenne East. Give it time, and Johnson may be the best basketball product to come from the Equality State. He was probably good enough to play pro ball in Europe during his senior season (granted, the age difference helped, but so what) and has only continued to improve at Wake Forest.

Forward: Stan Dodds, Green River. I defer to my pops on this one. He says Dodds was one of the best he ever saw -- and he spent plenty of time watching Wyoming basketball. Dodds is still Green River's all-time leading scorer, and from what I understand, he could hurt you from anywhere if you let him.

GIRLS: Again, a three-guard lineup. We'll run you out of the gym.

Guard: Mila Rogers, Sheridan. When Rogers (now Mila Stender) was inducted into the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame last year, Tim Ray introduced her. That night, Ray was on a roll.... And how he described the way Rogers changed the girls' game in Wyoming was incredibly impressive.

Guard: Tahnee Robinson, Lander. She could do everything well -- shoot, pass, defend, dribble, block shots, full-court press, rebound -- and she did so with a tenacity and maturity seldom seen at a high-school level.

Guard: Molly Marso, Gillette. She may not be one of the best five ever, but don't ever doubt her winning ways -- four state championships and four all-state selections in four years. That's someone I'd want on my team.

Forward: Kelsey Wicks, Gillette. Is "unstoppable" too strong a word? In Wicks' case, probably not. She was a great all-around athlete and a heck of a basketball player.

Center: Kristen Newlin, Riverton. She is the only two-time Gatorade state player of the year. She started at Stanford and is the only Wyoming product ever drafted by the WNBA. Yeah, she's pretty good.

Thoughts? Critiques? Comment below.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Send This | Categories: Basketball

(49) Comments

Posted by: Chris Gray on May 8, 2008 2:24AM EST

Good grief, I feel like such a nerd! I can't think of any names, but the guy from Cheyenne that played for UW a few years back; what the heck is his name? Someone will come up with it, I know! Also, didn't Big Horn girls have some awesome teams a few years ago? How about any of those girls? I'm just throwing stuff out there! Neat post Patrick, I'll bet we hear alot of names we haven't heard of in a while! Just thought streaming here; Molly Marso's brother, Brian, was very good as well! Also from Gillette, but a couple years older, I believe several time All-American at BH, 7 footer Joe Divis comes to mind!

Posted by: JA on May 8, 2008 9:52AM EST

Marcus Bailey ring a bell Christopher??? Also, I think you have to include basketball legend Kenny Sailors(the guy invented the jump shot, led U. Wyoming to its only National Championship in the sport).... Garret Patik and Mark Rinn come to mind in the mid 90's. I think that list of Gatorade Players Of the Year could be referenced.
.
Oh ya, and that Chris Gray fella from Newc!!!

Posted by: SportsLlama on May 8, 2008 9:55AM EST

I'm sure Chris is thinking of Marcus Bailey. Of course he could also be thinking of Greg Sawyer from Burns. I loved them both at UW.

For our money in Star Valley, Vern Gardner was an All-American at the University of Utah in the '50's and is arguably the best ball player we've ever had.

Fun topic Patrick - I know I've turned into his cheerleader for some reason, but I've never seen a kid more offensively potent than Kyle Bullinger from Mountain View. A tremendous player who kind of got lost in the hype from James Johnson in my opinion.

Posted by: Burke Binning on May 8, 2008 10:34AM EST

Patrick:

Great topic.

I consulted my dad who has been around Wyoming high school sports for some time and he says your list is about perfect. I kept bringing up players from the era I can fondly remember (1988-1996), and he kept saying everyone you chose is better.

My honorable mention list:

Kelly Lively, Torrington
Gregg Sawyer, Burns
Brian Marso, Gillette
Matt Michaels, Torrington
Lynn Smith, Lander
Craig Ferris, Wyoming Indian
Garret Patik, Buffalo
Demetrius Drew, Cheyenne Central

My dad also mentioned that Chavez was awesome to watch.

For the girls, I vote for my sister . . . just kidding.

Peace and chicken grease.

Posted by: Kevin Williams on May 8, 2008 10:44AM EST

I think that Ken Morgan/Clark who played at Natrona between 1968-1970 would have to be on a list like this somewhere. I have watched basketball in Casper for years (does that age me?) and I think he was probably the best the city has had in the past 40 years. 6-8, brought the ball up against the press, post moves that were unstoppable and a good outside jump shot. Went on to be a a JUCO All-American for two years at Casper College under Swede Erickson and then played at UW under Bill Strannigan until back problems curtailed his career. The list given is strong, but discussion of the all time best is what this blog is about, isn't it?

Posted by: JA on May 8, 2008 11:20AM EST

Llama, not taking away from Bullinger, I think his success was attributed to playing in a conference that lacked big men last year and with that athletic big men. I was able to see him play against Buffalo in the semi's last year where he faced an athletic group of bigs ranging from 6'4" to 6'7". In the game he was pretty much none existant scoring just over 10 points, granted they did win.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on May 8, 2008 1:37PM EST

This list was fun to put together. It was tough to leave some of these guys off -- Bailey, "Broken Wrist" Sawyer, Bullinger, Sailors, Patik.... There were a few others that passed through my mind as well, including Doug Baker, Shannon Brown, Vern Gardner (yes I actually thought of him before the Llama brought him up....), among others.

The fun part about this is that I'm only 26. A lot of these picks I made were based on stories I've read or heard along the way. Kids, when these "old guys" get together to spin their yarns, listen.

--patrick

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on May 8, 2008 1:39PM EST

Another quick thought: Was the golden age of high school basketball in Wyoming the late 1940s? Four Wyoming high school products have played in the NBA, and all four came out of that era....

http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/high_schools.cgi?country=US&state=WY

Of course, the NBA has changed drastically since then.... Just a thought. :)

--patrick

Posted by: PI on May 8, 2008 2:08PM EST

I think you would have to include Bruce Collins from Rock Springs who went on to a good career at Weber State. Gerald Mattinson also joined him there and had a very good career.
Tony Turner from Cheyenne Central, Robbie Cragoe Riverton, Angelo Hill Natrona, just to name a few.

Posted by: ne fan on May 8, 2008 2:24PM EST

A guy from NE wyoming played on the same all star team as Chavez and deserves mention. He had somewhat of an attitude in high school, which hurt his college prospects. Marv Mirich played high school ball in Moorcroft, went to Sheridan college, then to BH to play football and some basketball...at the time I thought he was the best player I had seen in person. I know of several players that played at UW that have faced Mirich on the courts of rec league tournaments, and most all have come up short....

Posted by: bobcat fan on May 8, 2008 2:46PM EST

How about Moe Radovich, John Pilch and Nate Miller (all Bobcats of course) for the guys and add Liz and Mary Brown (more Bobcats) on the girls side. sorry for the thermop bias.

Posted by: Coach G on May 8, 2008 4:20PM EST

URL: http://yahoo.com

PI,glad that you mentioned Bruce Collins,also from Rock Springs, you would have to go with Jack Adams and from Green River how about Rich Smith hope I got his name right..almost forgot about Dale Reed from Baggs

Posted by: Chris Gray on May 8, 2008 5:30PM EST

I love you Josh! Yeah, it was Bailey I was thinking of. Also was pondering Demetrius Drew out of Cheyenne, (couldn't remember his name as well, but didn't want to sound TOO senile, though!!). I only know Drew from playing against him in the "Cowboy State Games" back in the early 90's. I remember the bottom of his shoes when he dunked on me!! Matt Michaels & Kelly Lively were awesome as well, (Ty Muma also!!)Hey NE fan, I played football @ BH with Marv-o, & he was just a tremendous athlete! All American receiver, & cold have been a great q.b. probably! Someone almost noone else will remember, our point guard (Newcastle, 1990) Gilbert Barkey. Not flashy, or freakish, but the best floor general I have ever seen, & talk about Mr. clutch! Drives the length of the floor vs. Star Valley & nails a floating jumper from the free throw stripe at the buzzer to send us to O.T. in the state semifinal game in 1990. Once again, fun topic, Patrick!!

Posted by: Xcskier on May 9, 2008 12:59AM EST

What about Trevor Ragan from Lander, hit more than one buzzer beating three to beat Riv and was oh so close to making it as a walk on at Duke. Was a real leader and always came through in big moments.

Posted by: Cory on May 9, 2008 3:00AM EST

I'm sure glad you included Myron Chavez, that guy put Wyoming Indian basketball on the map. When i saw your topic, he was the first name to come to my mind.
another couple to throw out include Lusk Lady Tigers Tami Tully and Amanda Luchsinger. i don't have their stats handy but anybody that can lead a school to 6 titles in a decade deserves a little publicity. Current Natrona head volleyball coach Sally (Powers) Nichols had a big hand in that era also.
other 2A names that cross the mind include: Crockett Herring (SE), Ostrander (LFL), Sawyer (Burns), Talich (PB), Brett Keisel (Greybull-with a super bowl ring). what was the guy from kw in thelate 80s? Trey? and Natrona had some real solid guys then too?
Going old school, you gotta have Steve Cockerham from Lusk, being a stud QB at UW during the early 70s and playing hoops there too.

Great topic Patrick,
lets continue to have open forum on merging the past with the present and future of wyoming sports

Posted by: HS SPorts Fan on May 9, 2008 3:21AM EST

There was a kid from Chugwater about the time Carroll was playing in Evanston. He was pretty good if I remember correctly. What was his name, and where did he end up?

Posted by: Burke Binning on May 9, 2008 9:10AM EST

HS Sports Fan:

Just guessing, but I want to say the name of the kid from Chug was Doug Baker, or something like that.

Since there is obviously a lot of greats from years past who we all think deserve mention, here's an idea.

Give me a starting 5 for each classification, as the current classifications stand now (there hasn't been too much change).

And a bit off topic -- for Mr. Gray, a couple things:

1. Ty Muma was my baseball coach when I was 13. That guy was a heck of an athlete.

2. It would have been fun to play at BHSU when y'all flung the ball around as much as Merager did. We threw quite a bit (late 90s), but nothing near what you guys did. Merager must have been awesome to watch, and I've heard the stories from Nida how good Mirich was. Just a pure athletic talent. Stick him in any sport and he could excell.

3. I painted dorms with the Massman twins one summer. Funny guys. Good times.

Posted by: retired coach on May 9, 2008 10:21AM EST

I see a lot of that kid from Chugwater or I saw a guy once from Gillette or what was that red-headed kid from Ten Sleep or was it Kaycee back in the 60's. Perhaps we might extend this discussion to each school. Then whittle it down from there. As an example I'll give you my picks for Wheatland. Five starters and a sixth man.

Hilton and Sanford Dearinger: Way before my time, but they were the catalyst for the championship teams in 1928 and 1929. The team also finished fourth at the National High School tournament in Chicago in 1929
Kenny Chase: later played for UW
Wylie Brown: best pure shooter I ever saw
Andy Jones: prolific scorer
I couldn't pick a sixth from Jim Cozad, Steve Boughn and Paul Weber

Posted by: retired coach on May 9, 2008 10:52AM EST

It was called the National Interscholastic Tournament. It was organized in 1917 by Amos Stagg. The last year for the tourney was 1930.

Wouldn't it be fun to see a tournament like that again?

Posted by: Eagle fan on May 9, 2008 1:49PM EST

There are a bunch of great players. Chris had mentioned the Big Horn girl teams of a few years ago but the team that dominated the last few years is the Tongue River Lady Eagles. Back to Back to Back. The player of the game all three years was Courtney Johnson. 6'1" post player that is playing for the BHSU yellow jackets (Finished in the Elite 8 in the NAIA national tourney) She could make the starting five. Her brother Rob Johnson is top notch also. 3-time all-stater. I think he has signed with the Jackets to play basketball. There have been a few really good players from the TR area that could fill the starting five spots. Never saw him play high school ball but heard that Frank Boley was an awesome player from several years back for TR.

Posted by: Burke Binning on May 9, 2008 3:03PM EST

Extending this to each school, here you go. I am certainly not the authority on Torrington basketball, particularly over the last 10 years (my dad helped a bit, too). So, if anyone feels they can offer better insight over that time, then chime in.

Center - Kelly Lively
Forward - Matt Michaels
Forward - Ty Orton
Guard - Ty Muma
Guard - Joe Fuller

Posted by: bigdog on May 9, 2008 6:55PM EST

Jay Brown(1982-84) Wyoming Indian should be on the list. Could shoot, rebound, defend. He was a player. I would put him up against anyone on this list.

Posted by: SE Alumni on May 9, 2008 7:32PM EST

What about Bruce Shaffer from SE? He was a tremendous athlete! Went on to play at EWC and then on to Montana (can't remember exactly). This guy has set all the bball records at SE dating back to 1988 I believe. I have heard several stories about what a awesome player he was in high school and college. If I remember right, he was chosen best defensive player (while at EWC) for region 9. Maybe someone else might know of his stats?

Posted by: Chris Gray on May 9, 2008 9:17PM EST

Hey Burke; wow! what a flood of memories came roaring to me when you posted that stuff! I only played one year with Merager (my 2nd year, which was his first), but I know he turned out awesome! My Frosh year we were #2 offense in the nation, I believe #1 passing with Dave Garcia at the helm. You can imagine coming from Newc. to that kind of environment was just overwhelming! Marvo, Sean McGary (from Cody, I believe), Mike Madkins (recruited by the Dallas Cowboys) & Jeff Englund as Conference MVP at running back! What a fun time! I remember Marv-o planting both feet on the 50 yard line one day after practice & flinging the ball through the uprights,coach Neibauer thought about him at q.b. for a second! However, I also saw Marv refuse to do calisthenics while a little garter snake was within 100 yards of him!! Don't tell him I said that though, I'm still afraid of him!! Nida was just a tremendous athlete as well-great d.b., & I believe a tremendous decathlete!
Massman twins, huh? Haven't seen them in awhile, though I see their oldest bro.-Richard from time to time. Richard was a GREAT shooter-helped bring us back in the 1990 state championship, & of course Brad, at 6'10" was a defensive terror on the block! I talked to Dave Chick (BH alumni), & he said BH is having an "all-time" reunion this Fall for anyone that played football at BH as part of their 125 year anniversary celebration. Maybe see you there? I've told Joe Beehler that I am definitely going to make it to a game this year, so that would be a good excuse to go to one! Wow, am I rambling! Good-night, all! Thanks again Patrick!!

p.s. Was I wrong about the Big Horn girls a few years ago? I remember it was a 2-A or 1-A team that I believe nearly beat Gillette one year?!? Let me know if I am crazy!!

Posted by: Mike Walk on May 10, 2008 11:55AM EST

Great list Patrick. I agree with all of them. I'm glad you got Myron Chavez on the list. We played them in the state semi's my junior year and he was incredible. I was also glad to see Collins from Rock Springs mentioned and the Reed kid from Baggs. If I remember right he went on to play at Iowa and then transferred to Washington State. I'm also glad people on this Blog mentioned Kyle Bullinger. A few other honorable mention names you might throw in there are Rod Tyson from Laramie, Brett Harvey of Mt. View from the late 70's (my Uncle Burl Hoopes, who was a great official in the state said he was as good as anyone he had seen in any class of games he worked), and I think the name was Jeremy Cox from Meteetse. Other names that come to mind are Jay Brown and Darrell Bell of WIHS, Preston Vercimak and Bob Coombs of Lyman; Gaston, Pete, and Steve Gosar of Pinedale. I also think Sonny Guild of Mt. View should be on the girls list. She went on and played at UTEP after dominating the state in high school.

Posted by: Mike Walk on May 10, 2008 12:35PM EST

Hey coach I like your idea of listing the top from each school. These are my top 10 from Lyman and Mt. View.
Listed from oldest to youngest I think.
Lyman: Preston Vercimak, Ken Pennington, Jerry Carroll (JC's dad), Bob Coombs (2 -time all-state), Brent Walk (2 time all-state), Scott Jaggi, Ricki Heaton, Cody Hutchinson, Aarron Zobell, Tyler Ashton.

Mt. View: Brett Harvey, Mark Taylor, Tony Windis, Wendall Taylor, Lavar Pitts, Bob Iorg, Lonnie Meeks, Brian Taylor, Kyle Bullinger. I can only come up with 9 from Mt. View that I watched play or played against. I here Butch and Dale were pretty good in their day too.
I'm sure I'm missing some from both schools that I never got to see play or that have just slipped my mind. Maybe someone can fill me in.

Posted by: Mike Walk on May 10, 2008 12:38PM EST

PATRICK,
NOW LETS DO FOOTBALL

Posted by: hoops fan on May 10, 2008 11:56PM EST

how bout that vickery kid from pinedale. Played the game the way it was supposed to be played

Posted by: HS Sports Fan on May 11, 2008 2:21PM EST

WOW - Bobcat fan. All bobcat fans and not Jake Schmidt? Would you have Mike Ibach coach your team? I would!!!!

Posted by: gtown on May 11, 2008 3:26PM EST

What an amazing topic! great idea Patrick. I would have to say the best to come out of Gillette was Sundance Wicks in my opinion.

Posted by: Richard Kendall on May 11, 2008 6:44PM EST

Okay, here's a Buffalo list
Chris Prosinski
Garrett Patik
Mark Rinn
Pat Rafferty
Mark Campbell
Randy Zeimer
Bob McBride,
Butch Jacobson
Fred Hepp
Jerry Adams
Jack Maggard
That's more than 10 but any comment Bison fans?

Posted by: e on May 11, 2008 6:45PM EST

Jamie Schroeder from Douglas was a three time all-state selection and won back to back titles in 2004 and 2005(which was an undefeated season). Chickie Washington also was very good at this time and they produced the most exciting duet that the state had seen in a while.

Posted by: SportsLlama on May 12, 2008 9:55AM EST

I forgot to add a girl player! I'll mention SV's Cynthia Clinger who was on the starting five with Swoopes and the National CHampion Texas Tech squad in the early 90's.

I agree, we should do football now

Posted by: rangerfan on May 12, 2008 11:00AM EST

I agree with all the players listed. I do have to mention from k-town, Kurt Bebee, Mike Stewart, and Brett Tyrrell. Almost unstoppable. Except for that dang Thermop team. Bobcat fan-you guys had an awesome squad for those two championship runs.

Posted by: Kevin Williams on May 12, 2008 11:11AM EST

I think the young man you were talking about from Kelly Walsh was Robbie Jackson who scored 60 in an opening round game at State.

Saw some other pretty good athletes form Kelly this weekend, Mike Devereaux, Allyn Griffin, and Dave Gosnell who helped the Trojans win consecutive state hoops titles in 80 and 81. Couldn't really classify any of those guys as great basketball players, but they were sure the kind you wanted on your team.

Posted by: Fremont County on May 12, 2008 12:00PM EST

One of the all-time greats from Fremont County was Willie Noseep, 3-time all-state and all-time leading scorer. Went to Casper College and set some 3-point records also.

Posted by: bobcat fan on May 12, 2008 1:23PM EST

HS Sports Fan,
I thought jake was a good player for Thermopolis and is a Great kid and i guess if picking a team stricky from thermop i would pick a guy in the middle from a ways back - Lance Ready - i think he was a more athletic player than Jake. As far as Mike Ibach - I would have him back any time he would want to come back, he was the differece in us only winning two in row. Browning screwed us out of a third! all in the past though.
Ranger fan - you were inches fron stealing one from us and i agree with your picks Bebee abd Stewart tourched us!

Posted by: retired coach on May 12, 2008 1:32PM EST

How about starting that Mountain View girls list with Amy Carver and Julie Hurdsman.

Posted by: goatboy on May 13, 2008 10:49AM EST

URL: http://yahoo.com

From Rawlins, how about the Earls, Craig who went on to play football at UW and Sam, probably the better athlete, believe they played NC for the BB title in the 80s under coach Tony Windis

Posted by: SSmith on May 13, 2008 12:12PM EST

Mr. Kendall I would have to agree with you on the Buffalo list. I would also add the younger Rafferty (Jeff) to the list. He was a pretty good basketball player and a better golfer. Also Matt Lakin from a couple years back was an outstanding point guard. He made that squad go. Also from the Buffalo girls, how about Tonya Braley (Class of '87). She went to UTEP on a basketball scholarship. And from another school I would have to add Blake Richendifer. He was one of the best all around point guards I have seen from Wyoming.

Posted by: Mike Walk on May 15, 2008 6:20PM EST

I do remember Amy Carver in Mt. View.(DOMINANT!)
Some other dominant girls I can think of.....Kerry Maxfield of Lyman (Simpson award winner) and can still play with the guys to this day. My friend and I always went to watch state basketball when I was in Wyoming and I have to confess I was never a big girls b-ball fan but we always made it a point to be at the Douglas girls game when they had Jamie Schroeder and Chickie Washington. They were incredible and a lot of fun to watch. I believe Jacee Egley from Mt. View is in that same league. It was unfortunate to see the injury this year. I truely feel like it cost them a state title. I hope she recovers entirely.

Posted by: Mike Walk on May 15, 2008 6:39PM EST

Football you say!

How about the Poppinga boys from Evanston (one still with the Packers), John Burrows of Pinedale (played for the Vikings and Falcons I believe), Tim, Gaston, and Pete Gosar of Pinedale all went on to play for the Pokes, Jon Aimone of Mt. View (Pokes), John Wendling of Rock Springs (Buffalo Bills by way of Laramie), Tyler Ashton of Lyman (Utah State, transfer to Mary), Wil Isom of Lyman (Pokes), John Rosas and Michael Aimone of Kemmerer ( Chadron State), Cody and Duke Eardley of Mt. View (Chadron State), Verlon Lee of Lyman (didn't go on to play but I'd match him up with anyone on the list, especially in the Octagon), Justin Gonzalez of Mt View, Ben Aimone of Mt. View, Louis Isom of Lyman, John Cogdill of Kemmerer (Pokes football and wrestling), Ben and Mike Crosland of Kemmerer (Ben was the conference player of the year for Utah State in college I believe).

Posted by: Bison Fan on May 16, 2008 1:20AM EST

Any football list has to include Chris Prosinski and Garrett Patik of Buffalo.

Posted by: gtown on May 18, 2008 11:27PM EST

I'll give it to you bison fan Prosinski was great to watch. Fantastic player. Someone who maybe wasnt completely dominant in high school was Clint Oldenburg but is currently with the New York Jets.

Posted by: Chad on May 23, 2008 5:42PM EST

The Pinedale team in the fall of '88 was a very good team with John Burrows, Steve Gosar, Mark Elliott, Tom Mollring, and a heck of a punter/kicker whose name escapes me. It was a good game in lovell for the semifinals that year.

Posted by: wyo boys on June 14, 2008 12:49PM EST

If you going to add a football list then there should be some Lander Tigers on that list. The mid 90's the Tigers were dominant even though they hadn't won a state title. One of the best football players I have ever seen was Mike Noseep. For his size he was quite agile and very quick and fast. He dominated the 3A ranks and should be brought up in any conversations involving Wyoming High School Football. He was the leader of those Tiger teams. We can't forget Chris Packer probably the best high school quarterback at that time. He had such a great arm and knowledge of the game. He was your protypical drop back passer and also led that team. Then there is Terrill Weston what a player also. His motor ran at a 100 miles an hour and he flew around the field. His lack of size was evened out with his huge heart. All three of these players had huge hearts and were some of the best in Wyoming history.

Posted by: Jonesie on June 27, 2008 12:06PM EST

First of all, I have to agree with the statement regarding James Johnson having the potential to be the greatest player ever from the state of Wyoming. However, there is one name that has been ommitted from Mr. Schmeidt's list of all-time basketball; Demetrius Drew (Cheyenne Central)! Demetrius is without a doubt, hands down, the most athletic basketball player EVER from the state of Wyoming. He was 6'5" with a 43" vertical leap and had a deadly midrange jumpshot, handles, and post moves to die for. James Johnson is a better college player than Demetrius, but was no where near the all-around player or athlete in high school! Also I am little upset that names like Gregg Sawyer are mentioned (As he lived in Cheyenne, yet chose to play 2A high school hoops), however we all too soon have forgotten about Bobby Traylor (Cheyenne East 1990/ UW 1995). Bobby was one of the most mentally and physically tough players I have ever been around. He backed down to no one! He also develped a deadly jumpshot in college. He would likely have been a stronger NBA candidate if he had not broken his ankle/leg during practice his senior year. Oh yeah, and he bounced back after his senior year, shed the weight and became a better player than ever before. He is now a Larimer County Sheriff's Deputy in Ft. Collins, CO. Why does no one remember Bobby Traylor or the great contributions he made to the UW basketball program?

As far as football is concerned, how could names such as Troy Dumas (Cheyenne East/ Nebraska 1994 National Champion) or Chris Cooley (Powell/ Utah State) or Lee Vaughn (Cheyenne East/UW) not be mentioned? These are three of the greatest football players ever to compete in our state!

Posted by: Robert Johnson on July 20, 2008 1:39PM EST

What about the teams at Cheyenne Central 1983-1984, where Central won state titles in basketball both years, coached by Lew Roney and had Robert Johnson, Tim Tyler, Randy Taylor, Johnny Vilgil.

Posted by: Nathan on August 12, 2008 1:00PM EST

I've watched a lot of football for a lot of years and there may have been better people; but not many players who had talent like the athlete from Kelly Walsh... Allen Griffin. In high school, I seen him run down balls that seemed impossible. He made catches in H.S. and at UW that were amazing and would get more YAC for his team after the catch (redundant). He played at The University of Wyoming for a conservative coach in the wishbone offense and still was a WAC conference honorable mention choice a couple of years, I believe. He even managed to get drafted in the League because of his great hands and blazing speed. I understand he was a good baseball and basketball player, as well. Others that come to mind that I'm not sure anyone talked about: Boyd Dowler, Cheyenne, Nick Bebout, Shosoni, and John Burrough, Pinedale. There are others that were very good and are a little less heard of, Marty Jackson, KW/UW, Scott Freeman, Laramie. Wyoming high schools have produced some very good football players indeed.