(Ethete, WY) – There weren’t any flying monkeys, and no little black dog, but the message was clear in the second half of the second installment of the Wyoming Indian, Wind River rivalry that there was no place like home, and home was Alfred P. Redman Gym for the Chiefs.
Wyoming Indian created a logjam at the top of the Class 2-A Southwest with an 81-73 win over rival Wind River putting the Chiefs and Cougars into a tie for the conference lead with just a week to go before the West 2-A tournament opens in Riverton.
The Chiefs still have to host Big Piney, and the Cougars play at St. Stephen’s to round out their conference schedule, but a tie breaker will likely come into play after this weekend’s games.
Shoshoni, who dropped a four point game to the Chiefs in Ethete, and who finishes the regular season this week against Wind River could be the tie breaking factor.
Playing in front of the biggest crowd in Fremont County this season, the Cougars opened up a big lead, only to see it evaporate quickly behind a furious second half effort by Wyoming Indian.
Wind River led 21-14 after the opening period, and maintained the same advantage, leading 42-28 at the half.
It looked like the Cougars were well on their way to an uncontested Southwest conference title, but the opening minutes of the third period said something different.
Terrell Tillman paced a long range onslaught in the third with three 3-pointers, Hunter Lone Dog and Vidale C’Bearing each added another trey, and the Chiefs roared back into contention.
Wyoming Indian scored 29 in the third, one more than they combined for in the opening two periods to trail 57-55 entering the final period.
The rally continued with the Chiefs taking their first lead early in the final period and then pulling away for the win.
C’Bearing paced the Chiefs with 24 points, Tillman tallied 16, and Lone Dog 15.
For Wind River, Jaycee Herbert had another stellar outing, leading all scorers with 25 points, Wylie Shearer scored 13, and Brayden Leonhardt 11.
In the girl’s game, the winless Lady Cougars gave the Lady Chiefs all they wanted in the opening half, just as they did three days ago in Pavillion.
Despite being a battle between the conference leader and the last place team, Wind River matches up well with Wyoming Indian, and play the Lady Chiefs better than anyone else in the conference.
Holding a narrow 20-18 lead at the half, Wyoming Indian put on one of their patented rallies in the third to break into a comfortable 44-25 lead entering the final period.
Dezi C’Hair led the Lady Chiefs with 19, Taylor Trosper scored a dozen, and Inez Harris 10.
For Wind River Allison Tidzump had a dozen, and Natalie Walker 11.
Wyoming Indian 8 12 24 11 – 55
Wind River 14 4 7 16 – 41
Wyoming Indian – Layla C’Bearing (1) 2-3 5, Benae Nipwater 2 0-0 4, Taylor Trosper 3 (1) 3-4 12, Inez Harris 5 0-0 10, Laila SunRhodes 2-2 2, Michaela Hiwalker (1) 0-0 3, Dezi C’Hair 9 1-3 19. Totals 19 (3) 8-12 55
Wind River – Natalie Walker 2 (2) 1-4 11, Karina Fredrick 1 0-0 2, Angela Spoonhunter 1 (1) 1-2 6, Taleah C’Bearing 1 (1) 0-1 5, Ariana Spoonhunter 2 1-3 5, Allison Tidzump 4 4-5 12. Totals 11 (4) 7-14 41
Wyoming Indian – 14 14 29 24 – 81
Wind River 21 21 17 14 – 73
Wyoming Indian – Terrell Tillman 2 (4) 2-2 16, Isaiah Burnett 2 3-4 7, Vidale C’ Bearing 8 (1) 5-8 24, Brandon Coffee 4 0-0 8, Hunter Lone Dog 4 (2) 1-2 15, Tyson Soundingsides 1-3 1, JayQuin Jones 0-2 0, Allen Redman 1 1-2 3, Aubrey McCabe 1 3-4 5. Totals 22 (7) 16-27 81
Wind River – 4 (1) 0-0 11, Hunter Walker 2 0-0 4, Chaumbrey Romero 3 1-2 7, Jaycee Herbert 6 (1) 7-9 25, Trey Mulholland 4 1-2 9, Jaden Miller 1 2-4 4, Cade David 1 0-0 2, Wylie Shearer 3 (2) 1-4 13. Totals 24 (4) 13-19 73