Lovell trio selected for North all-star squads

The Wyoming Coaches Foundation All-Star games are scheduled for Saturday, July 26, at Casper College. Practices are set to begin on Wednesday, July 23, and will mark the final high school sporting event for the participating seniors.

Lovell High School’s Jace Nicholls was selected to play basketball for the North squad and represent the Bulldogs’ state championship team on the roster.

“I am really excited to be a part of this game and represent our school and community,” Nicholls said. “Being named to play is a big honor, and I am looking forward to competing against the other players chosen.”

Bulldog head coach Shane Durtsche was also chosen to be an associate head coach on the North’s coaching staff under Bubba Hladky of Gillette.

“I am looking forward to the experience,” Durtsche said. “I am honored to be able to work with some of the best players in the state and coach alongside Bubba.”

Durtsche and Hladky played alongside one another in the 1992 all-star basketball game and were then teammates at Chadron State University.

“I think he is as good of a coach as there is,” he added.

Coach Durtsche said the experience will be even more special to him because of Nicholls being on the team and having the opportunity to coach him one last time.

“I am really happy for him to get to have this experience,” Durtsche said.

For the girls, Lady Bulldogs point guard Kenadee Rael has been selected to play on the North girls basketball team.

“I am honored to play in the all-star game,” she said. “I’m excited to play alongside such talented athletes one last time.”

That Saturday, there will be the all-star volleyball match set to begin at 1 p.m. followed by the girls basketball game and boys basketball game.