Warriors First Loss of the Season

Rawlins Outlaws were 6-3 coming into Saturday’s game against the Warriors. Their three losses were to Riverton 64-49 in the Outlaws season opener. They lost to the Lander Tigers 68-60 on the 8th of January. Their biggest loss of the season to Laramie was an eleven point 60-49 game back on January 15th.

The Outlaws biggest margin of victory was a 45 point win over New Castle 78-33. Rawlins beat Torrington by 38, Burns by 37, and Thermopolis by 28. Rawlins is the second ranked scoring team in the State of Wyoming in 3A boys basketball with 64.5 points per game average. The Warriors are the number one ranked team averaging 15.8 points higher per game average then Rawlins with an outstanding 80.3.

The Rawlins Outlaws average margin of victory is 13.2 points per game. The Warriors average margin of victory is 27.9 points per game.

The three leading scorers for Rawlins are: Ashton Barto with 12.9 points per game, Mitchell Allard with 11.9 points per game, and Eli Kern with 9.4 points per game.

The Warriors have four players that average over ten points per game and a fifth that averages nearly nine. Rudy Sandord with 17.4 points per game, Mack Page averages 16.7, Brock Douzenis 10.6, and Court Gonzalez 10.1. Jorey Anderson averages 8.9 points per game and leads the team in assists.

The pace of the opening period was quick and up tempo. The recipe the Warriors like the most. Rawlins met the intensity. To this point every team the Warriors have faced can’t keep up and make mistakes. Forcing bad decisions is what Worland does. Rawlins was able to handle the press and trap. Crisp, quick passing before the help from another Warrior would come, the ball was gone.

Worland lead Lander Valley by 10 on Thursday, the closest win of all season for the Warriors. A 79-63 Worland win. The Warriors were down by 10 against Rawlins in the first period. 27-17. Eli Kurn, who as we said averaged under 10 points per game, he had 11 in the first period. Kurn was hitting mid range jumpers and driving layups against the Warrior defense. Rudy Sanford’s two 3 pointers keep things relatively calm with Mack Page only having 2 first period points.

The second period would start to look like what the Warriors are use to doing. Rawlins was still sticking around. Refusing to go away. Mack Page would start to get it going in the second with his 8 points. Jorey Anderson hit a timely three pointer. Rudy added 4 of his own. The Warriors outscored the Outlaws 26 to 13 in the period and would coddle a 43-40 halftime lead.

Coming out of halftime the feeling was that Rawlins would break. They couldn’t continue. 9 points from Mitch Allard including a three. seven points from Colton Ice which also included a three. Slowing Mack Page to 3 points in the third. Rudy would add 6, Jorey had 4, Court with 4. The third period would end in a 63-63 tie.

J.C. Ice fouled out on a technical foul with 8 points for the Outlaws. Three of the Rawlins players had 2 fouls. one with three and another would have four. Rawlins finished the game with 21 fouls. Lorenzo Johanson had 6 points in the fourth period. Eli Kurn ended up with 21 points in the game. Mitch Allard with 16. Rawlins Outlaw leading scorer Ashton Barto had 8 points.

Three of the four starting Warriors had four fouls. Jorey Anderson would foul out with five fouls. The Warriors had 19 total team fouls. Four Warriors had double digit scoring. Mack 21, Rudy 19, Jorey 11, and Court with 13. Worland scored 78 points which would have won all 11 games they played prior.

Rawlins scored a season high 83 points. 18 points higher then their season average. Worland was only 2 points below their season average. The Outlaws didn’t make mistakes. The Warriors played well enough to win. Rawlins played their best game in two seasons. 83-78 Outlaw win. The rematch is at home the last game of the season.

The Warriors will use this game as motivation and determination to get the ultimate team goal.

Worland travels to Buffalo on Friday for a 7pm game. Thermopolis come to town on Saturday for a 4pm game. You can hear both right here on KWOR 104.7FM/1340AM or online at mybighornbasin.com

Like us on Facebook at KWOR1340 for the latest in Worland warrior News and Sports, also don’t forget to tune into The Warrior Stance with Chance Wednesday’s from 5-6pm.