Kemmerer Ranger Louis Failoni dribbles the ball against the Green River Wolves at the Bridger Valley tournament on Friday, Dec. 8, as teammate Corbin Ourada prepares to help him out with a screen on a Green River defender. The Rangers play Manila in their first game of the Manila tournament on Friday. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

The Rangers boys’ basketball team officially kicked off its season last weekend at the Bridger Valley Classic tournament held in Mountain View and Lyman.

On Friday, Dec. 8, the 2A Rangers faced off against the 4A Green River Wolves. A great crowd of Kemmerer fans was there to cheer on the Rangers.

The Rangers never gave up against a tough Green River team, but lost 86–24.

“Despite the score, the kids fought hard, and we’re putting that game behind us,” head coach Steve Moyles said. 

Green River would go on to win the tournament the next day.

Junior Tanner Plowman, sophomore Derick Wilcox and senior Ty Hysell play defense at the Bridger Valley Classic last weekend. The Rangers’ first matchup this weekend at the Manila tournament will be against Manila. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

“We had those first game jitters,” Moyles said. “We had a lot of turnovers in the first half and had a hard time breaking the press at first, but in the third quarter we found a  better rhythm.”

One advantage the Rangers have is the quickness of senior Louis Failoni, an athlete who has excelled throughout his high school career at several sports, including track and football.

“I know (Louis) will slow things down when he needs to, and we’ll be able to make better basketball choices,” Moyles said.

Moyles said he hopes to see his sophomore post players Derick Wilcox and Colter Brunski improve at boxing out and rebounding as the season progresses.

Kemmerer Ranger Colter Brunski drives to the basket against Green River in the Rangers’ first game of the season. The Rangers play in Manila this weekend for the Holiday Classic tournament on Dec. 15 and 16. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Rangers lost to Cokeville 62–31 and to 3A Lyman 57–30.

Wind River earned second place at the Bridger Valley Classic. Mountain View claimed third place, with the Big Piney boys in fourth place.

The Kemmerer Ranger boys will play in the Manila tournament this weekend in Manila, Utah.

The varsity boys’ first matchup is on Friday, Dec. 15, at 1:00 p.m. against Manila.

The Kemmerer boys’ J.V. team plays Manila at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, the Rangers return to tournament action in Manila.

At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Rangers varsity team plays the Hayden J.V. team. The J.V. boys play at 11:00 a.m. against Intermountain Christian School.

The varsity boys are back on the court at 12:30 against ICS. The varsity Rangers close out their tournament play at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday against Hayden.

Senior Brandon Crank shoots a free throw, as sophomore Derick Wilcox goes in for the rebound at the Bridger Valley tournament. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)