Grizzly cagers look to take huge step up in ’24-25

There is little doubt that the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies will improve upon their 2023-24 record this season. The only question is how much.

A young and inexperienced Grizzly team suffered growing pains last season after losing seven varsity players to graduation, including four starters, finishing the season with a 5-20 record. This year the team returns six players who started at one time or another last season, plus three other varsity players. The resulting experience has already paid off, coach Pat Winland said.

“We’re way ahead of where we were last year,” he said. “We’re working on some quick hitters at the offensive end that the kids are grasping. It’s a variation out of our offense. Everyone seems to be working really hard, and we have no injuries to speak of except for Mason (Moss).”

The six players returning with starting experience are seniors Cole Minchow, Bryce Haslem, Hudson May, Tucker Jackson, Lafe Files and Alex Hedges. Returning with varsity experience are junior Rylan Stebner and sophomores Joaquin Scheeler and Kellan Jackson.

The Grizz lost Jacob Bischoff (starter), Noah Johnson and Max Cooley to graduation.

“Those six seniors came in last year as juniors without any varsity experience, and I’ve seen tons of growth, both physically and mentally,” Winland said when asked about this year’s team strengths. “I believe they’re ready for the challenge to have a successful season.”

As for challenges, Winland noted, “Our physicality concerns me. Our challenge is kids adapting and accepting their role as we move on through the season.”

The lineup

Winland has two seniors who can play either the point or scoring guard positions in Minchow and Haslem.

“Of all the kids, Cole is the most passionate about the game,” Winland said of Minchow (6-1). “He has developed greater strength and size over the years, and he needs to attack the basket to create scoring opportunities for himself and the team.”

Winland called Haslem (5-9) “another dedicated player who has put the time in over the last four years,” adding, “He sets the tone in practice with his defense, and he also needs to get to the rim for easy opportunities.”

Working at the “two-three” positions (scoring guard and forward) is May (5-10), who Winland called a “strong on-ball defender who has been hitting catch-and-shoot threes in practice.” Added the coach, “He’s been snake bit with injuries over the last couple of seasons. We’re hopeful he has an injury free season.”

Files (6-4) is a hybrid wing/center who can play inside or out.

“He can hit three-point shots, which helps us stretch the floor,” Winland said. “I’m hopeful his rebounding average will improve. He has great length.”

Working inside will be Tucker Jackson (6-2) and Hedges (6-1).

“Tucker is highly athletic and a strong rebounder, and he’s getting better every day in the post,” Winland said. “Alex is an undersized post. He has a natural talent for rebounding. I’m hopeful he can get us some extra possessions with his hustle.”

Looking at Stebner (5-10), Scheeler (5-11) and Kellan Jackson (6-0), Winland noted, “Rylan adds guard depth for us, and Joaquin is a solid, reliable sophomore  who will push the upper classmen. Kellan gives us more size.”

Two freshmen are working with the varsity team in Cooper Winland (6-4) and Mason Moss (6-4).

“Cooper can be an effective scorer in the post,” Coach Winland said. “He has a good touch but needs to adapt to the physicality of the game in the post. Mason  is an extremely versatile player who will end up playing all five positions for us.”

Moss is currently out with an injury and will miss the first two tournaments.

As always under Winland, the Grizzlies will pay inside-out on offense, getting the ball inside and then looking for the three-pointer when it’s open. Defensively, the Grizzlies will attempt to push the tempo early in the season and create turnovers.

Assisting Winland again this season are Jeff Samson and Taylor Winland, plus volunteer Jacob May.

First tournament

The Grizzlies will travel over the mountain this weekend to the combined Coal Miner’s and Herder Classic Tournament in Wright, Gillette and Glenrock. The Grizz will open up Friday in Gillette at Twin Spruce Junior High, meeting Sundance at noon (JVs) and 1:30 p.m., then travel to Wright to meet host Wright at 5 (JVs) and 6:30 p.m.

Saturday in Glenrock, the Grizz will meet host Glenrock at 9 a.m. at Glenrock High School, and the JVs will meet Kaycee at 10:15 a.m. at Glenrock Intermediate School, followed by the varsity game with Kaycee at noon at GHS.

Rocky Mountain will host intradistrict rival Burlington Tuesday at 4 (JVs) and 7 p.m.