By David Peck
The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies finished strong last season, winning seven straight games late in the year before injuries caught up with them at the regional tournament, costing them a berth at State.
This year, Coach Michael Simmons and his Grizzlies hope to build on last year’s 13-11 season and have a strong nucleus to build around.
The Grizz graduated seven seniors last year in starters Carlos Hernandez, Adam Alvarado and Korey Hocker, as well as Lane Friedly, Sam Seitz and Luis Jurado off the bench. Also gone is junior Guy Jones, who decided to wrestle this season.
Returning to the team are starting center KJ Blackburn and starting forward Brandon Foster, as well as reserves Austin Leonhardt, Jeff Sanders and Brandon Bulanek.
“We return most of our bigs,” Simmons said. “We lost a lot of guards last year but we return our four and five in Brandon (Foster) and KJ. Austin came off the bench as a three and we have Martin (Consuelos) and Bubba (Jeff Sanders), so we are solid underneath.”
The challenge, Simmons said, is to develop the guard line, although he said he feels confident that any one of four players can step in and do the job: seniors Tyler Harvey and Bulanek and juniors Luke Leonhardt and Thomas Troutman.
“All four of them get up and down the floor well,” Simmons said. “They just need to adapt to the varsity tempo and speed.”
Harvey (5-11) is a “natural one (point guard)” and since he started on the junior varsity team a year ago is the most experienced point guard returning, Simmons said.
Bulanek (6-0) is a “natural two” or shooting guard, Simmons said, adding, “He’s a catch-and-shoot guy. He has a nice shot.”
Both of the juniors can play either the one or two, Simmons said, noting that Luke Leonhardt (5-10) is like older brother Derek – a hard worker who brings lots of energy and can get up and down the floor in a hurry and that Troutman (5-10) is a fundamentally sound player who has a cool head and sees the floor well.
“We’ll try some different things with these four individuals and try some different combinations,” Simmons said. “We’ll see what happens in game situations.”
Working at the three (small forward) and four (power forward) are seniors Austin Leonhardt and Sanders and junior Foster.
Leonhardt (6-0) is a great spot-up shooter but also has a strong body and can play inside, Simmons noted. That can create a mismatch in the Grizzlies’ favor as Leonhardt draws big players away from the basket, he said.
“If he’s left open he’ll hit the three,” Simmons said. “He sees the floor, has a cool head and is a good passer.”
Sanders (6-0) is a strong player who throws teams off as a left-hander and has a big body that he uses well to clear space underneath.
“He creates separation for put-backs and is crafty around the rim,” the coach said.
Foster (6-4) is an athletic player who saw a lot of minutes as a starter last year. He’s a versatile player, Simmons said, who can post up inside or play the perimeter. From there, he can create opportunities with dribble penetration or shoot a three-pointer, the coach noted.
Returning at center is Blackburn (6-3), who has always been tough and a hard worker but is gaining more skill to go with his power.
“His hands are getting a little softer every week,” Simmons said. “He was five for five in the brown and gold game (Friday), and he was the high scorer. KJ carries a little bit of swagger that you like to see. He’s tenacious on the boards.”
Martin Consuelos (6-1) can not only play with his back to the basket as a center but also can pop outside and face up from 15 feet, Simmons said.
“He’s another big body. He has pretty soft hands and will clean up a lot of rebounds and get put-backs for high percentage shots,” Simmons said.
Also working at the four and five are juniors Jessee Hernandez (6-2) and Tyrell Humpheys (6-2). The two are similar players, Simmons said.
“They have similar bodies and see each other well,” he said. “They work together in the high-low game and both have soft hands. They played football and are physical kids who aren’t afraid of bumping.”
Pat Winland will return to the hardwoods as the junior varsity coach, and Josh Sponsel is the freshman coach. Brett Crosby is helping with the team, as well.

The Grizzlies will open the season this Friday and Saturday at the Big Horn Basin Shootout in south Big Horn County. The varsity Grizz will open play against Dubois Friday night at 7:30 at the Burlington auxiliary gym, then play two games on Saturday, taking on Big Piney at 2:15 p.m. at the new Burlington gym and Ten Sleep at 5:30 p.m. at the Burlington auxiliary gym.
The Rocky JVs will meet Dubois Friday at 4 p.m. at Greybull High School, then take on Bridger Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at the new Burlington gym.