Basketball season gets underway

SHS Lady Bulldogs

The Sundance Lady Bulldogs opened their basketball season competing in the Coal Miner’s Classic in Wright this past weekend. Facing some top-tier competition from across the state, the Lady Bulldogs finished 2-2 in the Classic. 

The opening game was evenly matched, as the Sundance team faced Rocky Mountain. Trading point for point throughout the first half, the Lady Bulldogs went into the halftime break down by four points, 19-23. Rocky Mountain was within reach as the second half began. The Lady Bulldogs stayed close throughout the remaining quarters, but were unable to overcome their initial deficit as they fell 50-42 to Rocky Mountain. Despite the loss, junior Jaylin Mill put on an impressive showing, leading all scorers with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

The Lady Bulldogs took the momentum they had built against Rocky Mountain, into game two on Friday, as they faced the Greybull Buffaloes. Jumping out to a quick 17-8 lead after the first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs set the tone early and maintained their dominance throughout the game, securing a 60-52 victory. Mills once again led the Lady Bulldog offense, putting up 21 points against the Buffaloes.

Day two of the Classic pitted the Lady Bulldogs against the Wyoming Indian Chiefs. The Lady Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm as they fell to the Chiefs 32-52. Halyn Cooney was the leading scorer throughout this competition, putting up six points and securing five rebounds.

In the final matchup of the Classic, the Lady Bulldogs faced the Kemmerer Rangers. Once again, the Sundance team jumped out to a quick lead, holding the Rangers to only two points in the second quarter and single digit scoring in the second half, allowing the Bulldogs to take a 59-22 victory. 

The Lady Bulldogs will have another busy weekend as they host the Newcastle Dogies on Thursday and a couple of out of state teams, the Belle Fourche Broncs and Lead-Deadwood Golddiggers, for the Stateline Shootout on Friday and Saturday. Games will begin on Thursday at 2 p.m. with the girls JV, followed by boys JV and varsity. On Friday tipoff will begin at 1 p.m. 

SHS Bulldog Boys

The Sundance boys’ basketball team tipped off their 2024-2025 season at the Coal Miner’s Classic in Wright this past weekend. The team split their season opener, going 2-2 at the Classic with wins over Greybull and Kemmerer. 

In the opening game the Bulldogs fell just short in a nail-biting 46-48 loss to Rocky Mountain. While the game didn’t go their way, Eli Gill and Jake Schommer led the offensive effort putting up 11 and 10 points respectively. 

Bouncing back in game two, Sundance took a solid 43-36 victory over the Greybull Buffaloes. Jake Schommer and Parker Skeens stepped up to help the Bulldog offense, putting in a combined 27 points. 

Game three put the Bulldogs against an ever-tough team, the Wyoming Indian Chiefs. The Bulldogs put in their best effort but fell, 50-78, to the Chiefs. Despite the loss, Jake Schommer was able to put in 22 points, including 12 from beyond the three-point arc. 

The Sundance Bulldogs closed out the tournament on a high note, as they took a 65-46 victory over the Kemmerer Rangers. “The boys played hard, and executed our defensive game plans very well,” head coach Nick Olson stated. “Offensively we were able to create open shots for our teammates and get to the rim very well. We’re very excited to see our growth throughout the year and compete with the best teams in the state.” 

There is no rest for the weary, as the Sundance Bulldogs have a full schedule of home games this week. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs will host the Harding County Ranchers. Thursday, the Newcastle Dogies will face the Bulldogs and the team will round out the week hosting the Stateline Shootout Friday and Saturday. 

Stats

SHS Girls 40 Rocky Mountain 50:

Scoring: Mills 22 (4/8 FT, 2/7 3pt), Cooney 8 (0/2 3pt), Karol 5 (1/2 FT), A. Marchant 2 (0/2 3pt), K. Marchant 2 (0/2 FT), Gill 1 1/2 FT)

Rebound leaders: Mills 13, Karol 8, Cooney 6, A. Marchant 5

Steal leaders: Mills 5, Karol 3, Gill 3

Blocks: Gill 1, Marchant 1, Mills 1

Assists: Philips 1, Cooney 1, Karol 1

SHS Girls 60, Greybull 52:

Scoring: Mills 21 (1/5 3pt), Karol 8 (2/3 FT, 0/1 3pt), Cooney 8 (1/2 FT, 1/2 3pt), A. Marchant 7 (1/1 FT), Neiman 5 (1/1 FT, 0/2 3pt), K. Marchant 5 (3/4 FT), Gill 4 (0/1 3pt)

Rebound leaders: Mills 8, Neiman 3, Karol 3

Steal leaders: Mills 7, Neiman 3, Karol 3

Assists: K. Marchant 2, Harmon 1, A. Marchant 1

SHS Girls 32, Wyoming Indian 52:

Scoring: Cooney 6, A. Marchant 5 (1/1 FT), Karol 5 (½ FT), Mills 4 (0/7 3pt), Philips 2 (2/7 FT), Neiman 2 (0/2 FT), Gill 2 (0/2FT), K. Marchant 2 (2/4 FT), Crago 2

Rebound Leaders: Cooney 5, Mills 5, A. Marchant 4, Neiman 4

Steal leaders: Mills 3

Blocks: Karol 1

SHS Girls 59, Kemmerer 22:

Scoring: Mills 23 (3/7 FT, 2/3 3pt), Neiman 11 (1/3 FT), Cooney 6 (2/2 FT, 0/1 3pt), Harmon 5 (1/2 3pt), Gill 4 (0/1 3pt), Karol 3 (1/2 FT), A. Marchant 2, Olson 1 (1/2 FT), Dailey 1 (½ FT),

Rebound leaders: Mills 4, Gill 3, Cooney 3

Steal leaders: Philips 3, Gill 3, K. Marchant 3

Assists: Gill 1, K. Marchant 1

SHS Boys 46, Rocky Mountain 48:

Scoring: Gill 11 (2/4 FT, 1 3pt), Schommer 10 (3/4FT, 1 3pt), O.Watt 9 (1/2 FT), Mills 9 (2/3 FT, 1 3pt), Skeens 5 (1/1 FT), Krell 2

Rebound leaders: O.Watt 12, Gill 11, Mills 8, Schommer 6

Steals: Schommer 3, Mills 2, Gill 1, C. Downey 1, O.Watt 1

Blocks: Mills 2, Krell 1, Schommer 1

Assist leaders: Gill 3

SHS Boys 43, Greybull 36:

Scoring: Schommer 14 (6/7 FT, 2 3pt), Skeens 13 (4/4 FT, 1 3pt), O.Watt 6 (1/2 FT, 1 3pt), Gill 5 (1/2 FT), Lenz 2, Mills 2, Krell 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound leaders: O. Watt 12, Skeens 11, Gill 7

Steals: O.Watt 6, C. Downey 2, Gill 1, Schommer 1, Skeens 1, Krell 1

Blocks Schommer 1

Assists: Skeens 2,

SHS Boys 50, Wyoming Indian 78:

Scoring; Schommer 22 (4/5 FT, 4 3pt), Skeens 14 (1/2 FT, 1 3pt), Gill 9 (3/3 FT), C.Downey 4, Lenz 3 (1 3pt), O.Watt 2, Mills 2

Rebound leaders:Gill 9, O. Watt 5, Mills 4, Schommer 4, Skeens 4

Steals: Gill 3, C. Downey 2, Krell 1

Blocks: Skeens 1

Assists: Skeens 4, Gill 2, Schommer 2, Lenz 2, C. Downey 1

SHS Boys 65, Kemmerer 46:

Scoring: Skeens 20 (1/2 FT), Schommer 11 (2/3 FT, 3 3pt), Gill 8, Mills 8, Lenz 5 (1 3pt), Lyons 2, C. Downey 2, Krell 2, N. Downey 1 (1/2FT)

Rebound leaders: Skeens 6, Gill 5, O.Watt 5

Steals: Skeens 4, Mills 3, Gills 2, C. Downey 2, O. Watt 2

Assists: C. Downey 4, Skeens 2, Mills 2

Blocks: Skeens 3, Schommer 1