The Cokeville Lady Panthers basketball team celebrates after a close win over Little Snake River in the regional tournament. The Lady Panthers won all their games to claim the 1A West Regional championship. (COURTESY PHOTO / Karla Toomer)

The Cokeville Lady Panthers basketball team traveled to Lander last weekend for the 1A West Regional Basketball tournament.

They went in as the number three seed, behind Encampment and Little Snake River. Cokeville would have to defeat both of these teams at some point during the tournament to be crowned regional champions.

Their quest began with the Lady Huskies of Burlington on Thursday night. The Lady Panthers came out swinging and defeated the Lady Huskies 41–24. Camille Nate had 13 points and four rebounds, Katelyn Petersen had four rebounds and five assists and Janetta Teichert had five assists and four steals.

This win advanced the Lady Panthers to the semifinal game against the number one seed, the Little Snake River Lady Rattlers, who had defeated the Lady Panthers twice during the regular season. Camille Nate came through for the Lady Panthers with a layup at the buzzer for the Cokeville win, 33–31. Camille had 11 points and eight rebounds, Kassidy King had six rebounds and three assists while Janetta Teichert had three assists.

This exciting win advanced the Cokeville Lady Panthers to the championship game against the Encampment Lady Tigers.

The Lady Panthers came out strong and with a lot of determination and grit, took the win 60–53 to claim the regional title. 

Janetta Teichert put up a huge 20 points, Lexi Brown added 13 points, Katelyn Petersen and Kassidy King each had four assists and Emma Teichert had five steals.

The Lady Panthers will travel to Casper this weekend for the 1A State Basketball Tournament.

They will open the tournament against Guernsey-Sunrise at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, at the Casper Events Center.