THERMOPOLIS – A successful weekend for the Pinedale High School Wranglers found Pinedale defeating cross-county rival Big Piney, 67-56, on Feb. 15 and winning a cliffhanger game, 41-39, against conference opponent Thermopolis on Feb. 17.

The victory against Thermopolis cemented Pinedale’s position as the No. 1 seed in the 3A Southwest Quadrant with a 4-1 record.

Cross-county rivalry

The Wranglers won a closely contested first quarter by a single possession, 16-14.

Senior Josh Gosar kicked off scoring for the Wranglers with a 5-point run. Taking possession, senior Bridger Kaiser found an opening in the Puncher’s perimeter to score. Senior Brody Hamby snatched a steal, setting up fellow senior Owen McMillen to net a close-range shot.

Big Piney edged up and tied the game at nine points. Kaiser nabbed a steal and went on to score a jumper.

Josh Gosar responded to an outside shot by the Punchers with a 3-pointer. Defensive pressure by junior Nicolas Sletten resulted in a turnover and junior Alex Gosar went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.

Pinedale widened its lead in the second quarter, netting 18 points while holding Big piney to 12.

McMillen commenced scoring by draining a 3-pointer.

Kaiser led the Wrangler offense in the second quarter with 10 points while Josh Gosar contributed five. Senior Jayce Ramage snapped up a steal midway into the second quarter.

An explosive third quarter that saw Pinedale top Big Piney in scoring, 20-13, expanded the Wranglers’ advantage to 54-39 as the fourth quarter began.

Kaiser tossed in an additional 10 points during the third quarter. Josh Gosar scored seven with McMillen adding three. Hamby, Kaiser and Alex Gosar each picked up a steal.

Big Piney attempted to turn the tide in the fourth quarter, outscoring Pinedale, 17-13, although the effort was too little, too late.

Kaiser posted 28 points for the Wranglers against the Punchers. Josh Gosar netted 24 points, McMillen 11 with two apiece by Alex Gosar and Hamby.

Thermopolis

A neck-and-neck first quarter set the pace for the remainder of the game, with the Wranglers ahead by a single possession, 14-12, at the start of the second quarter.

Thermopolis topped Pinedale in scoring, 10-8, in a physical second quarter to move into the lead by one possession, 24-22, at halftime.

The back-and-forth continued into the third quarter with Thermopolis posting a 3-point advantage, 34-31, as the fourth quarter commenced.

The final quarter came down to the wire, with Pinedale prevailing by two points.

“The game was tied (39-39) and Josh Gosar was able to get a shot off with one second left where he was filled and able to hit two free throws to secure the win,” Coach Gosar said.

Kaiser led the Wranglers in scoring against Thermopolis with 15 points. McMillen and Josh Gosar both tallied eight points. Hamby netted six points with Ramage contributing four.

Pinedale squares off against conference rival, Mountain View, for its final home game of the season on Friday, Feb. 23. The game features Senior Recognition Night, honoring Bridger Kaiser, Owen McMillen, Josh Gosar, Ryley Lea, Jayce Ramage, Brody Hamby, Federico Vantaggi, Cordelle Lane and Ja’Korie Mitchell.

Reporter’s note: This reporter thoroughly enjoyed covering this group of seniors as they grew from freshman on the court to seniors and looks forward to seeing them make some serious noise in the postseason.