The class 3A/4A state basketball tips off  tomorrow (Thursday) morning in Casper.  Starting with our 4A boys preview, Gillette appears to be the odds-on favorite to win the championship.  The Camels haven’t lost to a Wyoming team this season.  Casper Kelly Walsh head coach Randy Rhoden, who has the Trojans as the #1 seed in the West, says you’re going to have to play a perfect game to get past Gillette.

4A boys matchups

Casper Kelly Walsh vs.  Cheyenne Central  12:00 pm

Laramie vs.  Evanston   1:30 pm

Riverton vs.  Cheyenne South  7:30 pm

Gillette vs. Rock Springs  9:00 pm

The 4A girls bracket is shaping up to be a wild one, particularly when they get to the semi-final rounds.  All year long, Sheridan, Gillette, Cheyenne East and Natrona County have been battling it out, as the top four teams in the state.  Cheyenne East head coach Rusty Horsely says that playing the type of conference schedule that teams play in the East, sets them up well for the state tournament.

4A girls matchups

Sheridan vs.  Green River  9:00 am

Rock Springs vs.  Cheyenne East   10:30 am

Gillette vs.  Evanston  4:30 pm

Natrona County vs.  Laramie  6:00 pm

The 3A boys bracket may be the most wide open race to a championship.  The Douglas boys got hot late and won the East Regional last weekend in Worland, while Powell upset Star Valley to take the 3A West Regional title.  Douglas head coach Travis Williams believes that seeding will not matter this weekend, and that realistically any team can take the 3A boys title.

3A boys matchups

Douglas vs.  Lander  12 pm

Star Valley vs.  Wheatland   1:30 pm

Rawlins vs.  Cody   7:30 pm

Powell vs. Newcastle   9:00 pm

And finally in the 3A girls championships, Star Valley rolled through the 3A West Conference with one loss and dominated the West Regional tournament in Powell.  That earned the Lady Braves the top seed from the West, and head coach Robert Erickson believes his team is playing their best right now.

3A girls matchups

Star Valley vs.  Buffalo  9:00 am

Rawlins vs.  Powell  10:30 am

Lyman vs.  Newcastle  4:30 pm

Douglas vs.  Lander  6:00 pm