Colby Bowen, Austin Quin Martinez and Clayton Moyles celebrate a Kemmerer Ranger J.V. win with coaches Vance Chamberlain and Steve Moyles. The J.V. team beat Wind River 57–55 on Friday, Jan. 19, at home. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)

It was an exciting game for the Kemmerer Rangers’ J.V. team against the Wind River Cougars on Friday, Jan. 19.

The Ranger J.V. boys started the fourth quarter with a 13-point deficit and turned it around to beat the Cougars, with a final score of 57–55.

“The Rangers’ swarming press was too much for the Cougars,” Coach Moyles said.“The Rangers converted steals into two quick baskets, creating a 2-point lead.”

With just two seconds left in the 4th quarter, the Cougars found themselves at the free throw line, but were unable to make a shot, and the Rangers pulled off the win.

“The Rangers showed great heart and fight throughout the entire game,” Moyles said. “I am very proud of their effort."

Assistant coach Vance Chamberlain said he was pleased with the J.V. boys’ performance over the weekend.

“Wins are always good,” Chamberlain said. “We will have more if we can get that kind of effort for an entire game.”

Chamberlain explained that the J.V. boys have put a lot of effort into practice and preparing for games.

“But,” Chamberlain added, “The team seems to be struggling to string four good quarters together.”

Based on the players’ reaction at the end of the game, they were sure happy to have pulled off a win. Ranger players jumped up and down as they shouted in celebration and gave each other high fives when the final buzzer sounded.

Freshman Austin Quin Martinez had a good game for the Rangers.

“We had very good team defense, which helped us,” Martinez said. “When we got a rebound, we were able to push the ball down the floor for a fast-break layup.” 

Martinez said he feels he and the team need to work on their defense and improve their communication on the floor. Martinez scored 17 points, Caden Bowen had 16 points, T.C. Coles scored seven, Cameron Adams had six, Clayton Moyles chipped in five, and Shawn Crank and Oscar Zhang each had four points.

On Saturday, Jan. 20, the J.V. boys returned to the home court to play the Wyoming Indians.

The Rangers were dominated by the Indians, and the final score was 80–46.

The boys came out a bit slow and sluggish and struggled to get anything going until the fourth quarter, according to Chamberlain.

“I think our boys were so excited about Friday night’s win that they couldn’t sleep or forgot to sleep that night,” Chamberlain said. “But I am extremely proud of the boys for their fourth quarter effort.”

Bowen had nine rebounds and three steals, while Shawn Crank picked up four steals and five rebounds. Martinez put 16 points on the board with four steals.

The team will travel for their next game to Mountain View on Wednesday, Jan. 31, with the J.V. game starting at 4:00 p.m.

Austin “AQ” Martinez jumps above Wind River player Royal Wells’ block for two more points for the J.V. Rangers against the Cougars on Friday, Jan. 19. The J.V. Rangers won 57–55. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)