Bobcat basketball team rolls into regionals

The Hot Springs County High School Bobcat basketball team finished up their regular season last weekend, contributing two important wins to their season totals. With the wins, the Cats remained the number one ranked 2A team, and secured for themselves a number one seed in the regional tournament, which will be played in Riverton this week.

On Thursday night, the Cats played host to 2A Southwest Wind River. The Cougars have had a difficult season this year, coming into the weekend winless at 0-20. Although every team goes through a “building year” from time to time, that doesn’t make it any more enjoyable, when it happens. To their great credit, the Cougars never let their record affect the manner in which they played the game – never letting up, and playing full out until the final buzzer.

For the Cats, the game was a chance to get in some minutes for teammates who don’t always get into the game. It was also a chance for the Bobcats to show off the level of camaraderie and friendship each player has garnered for their fellow teammates.

While it is always nice to see the starting team display their athletic skills, it was equally enjoyable to see those same starters, vocally and vociferously, cheering on their teammates as they put in some well-earned minutes on the court. Equally impressive, however, was the level of sportsmanship the Cats displayed towards a proud opponent - who is having a very trying year.

Coach Shane Corpening has put together a fine bunch of young men to represent the town of Thermopolis and the Hot Springs County School District. He leads a team, which anyone watching, would wish they could be a part.

Saturday night brought the Grizzlies of Rocky Mountain to town. The Grizz have played very well this year – well enough to be leading the 2A Northwest – if not for the Bobcats. For this important game, the Grizzlies faithful had made the trek down from Cowley, and were hoping to see a win against the number one ranked 2A team.

Ah, yes – but dreams do not always come true. With Dell Dukes celebrating his birthday, and nearly putting in a triple double evening (15 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists), the Bobcats were not inclined to give up anything to the Grizz.

The first half was a back-and-forth effort, with each team struggling to get things to click. By the end of the half, however, the Cats had stretched a ten point lead to take into the latter half of the game.

Things did not start well for the Grizzlies in the third quarter, giving up six straight possession turn-overs. With time slipping away for Rocky Mountain, the Bobcats stretched their lead to twenty points in the second half, to win by a score of 55-35.

Commenting on the game, Coach Corpening said, “I am really proud of this team. They have worked together, unselfishly, this entire season. Dell Dukes put in another great night on defense. He has quick hands, and an unbelievable ability to anticipate when, and where, a pass is going to go. He is great on defense in basketball, and football.”

As for the regional tournament, Corpening said, “We just have to take it one game at a time. We have to stay grounded, and be prepared to adjust to whatever changes teams throw our way. As the number one seed, there’s no question, we have a target on our backs.”

The Bobcats will play Thursday night at Riverton High School against Wind River. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.