Boys Basketball Rankings, Week 2
The Wyoming Five Star Weekly Rankings have been determined again this week, as Wyoming Boys Basketball is officially into conference play. The 4A Class received the most diverse votes this week, with eight different programs getting top-5 votes. The 1A Class featured the least amount of change, headlined by Lingle-Ft. Laramie’s continued-undefeated campaign.
The 2A Boys class features two of the best teams in Wyoming — Thermopolis and Wyoming Indian, who are absolutely loaded. The 3A Boys class is the most intriguing class, proving to be a gauntlet again in 2026.
All the rankings for every classification can be found at https://wyomingfivestar.com/rankings/. Here are the official rankings, voted on by Coaches and Media Members of Wyoming:
4A Boys
#1 Sheridan (9-1)
The Broncs received the most 1st-place votes of any class in Wyoming, showing their unanimous selection for the second consecutive week. The Broncs are currently 9-1, with two big conference wins last weekend over East and Central. The 4A East isn’t as tough this season, but the Broncs carry the load for that half of the state. Nate Miner headlines with 18.3ppg, shooting 44% from deep on 68 attempts. Head Coach Jeff Martini has been there a long time, and you can bet this program will be physically and mentally ready for conference play and regional play.
#2 Rock Springs (10-1)
Rock Springs holds onto the #2 spot this week — but this classification has, by far, received the most diverse votes of any class in Wyoming. The Tigers, received votes for all four spots (excluding #1), and the only team to receive more than one #2-ranked votes. The Tigers are coached by Lennon Spence, who has them playing very well. The 4A West is going to be tough again in 2026 — but it looks like the Tigers will be very competitive. They play a lot of players (14), but are primarly led by junior Boston James (18.4ppg). Last week they beat a very competitive Riverton team — next week they play in Casper versus unranked Kelly Walsh and #5 Natrona County.
#3 Green River (10-1)
The 4A West is dominated by Sweetwater County — Rock Springs and Green River. The two programs are both 10-1 through 11 games, and have emerged as top-contenders against unanimous #1 Sheridan. The Wolves have an intriguing team, with maybe the best home-court advantage in Wyoming. Dax Taylor leads a senior-heavy trio with 15.4ppg, supported by Dylan Archibald (12.8ppg), and Adam Robertson (10.3ppg). The Wolves shoot very well from the floor at 53%. They’ll follow Rock Springs to Casper this weekend to play #5 Natrona County, and unranked Kelly Walsh.
#4 Thunder Basin (7-4)
Top scorer in 4A, Gibson Williams, shoots 45% from the floor and averages 23.2ppg. He leads Thunder Basin in almost every category, with 8 rebounds per game, 5 assists per game, and 3.3 steals per game. This week, the Bolts received a bunch of #4 votes, but some all the way up to #2. This week they play against Central and East at home.
#5 Natrona County (6-5)
The Mustangs of Natrona County are back in the top-5, although only posting a 6-5 record. Last week they beat formerly ranked Star Valley by four, and Jackson by 27. Gavin Patik leads the way with 14.5ppg, and his little brother, Garrett, scores 13.7ppg. This week they play #2 Rock Springs and #3 Green River at home.
3A Boys
#1 Lovell (10-2)
The Bulldogs were selected the unanimous #1 team in 3A for consecutive weeks. Their experience has shown this season, and are poised to win another 3A title this season. Owen Walker is one of the best players in Wyoming, averaging 16.9ppg, 11.4 rebounds per game, and 3.7 blocks per game. Coach Shane Durtsche has an extremely tough group of players — Walker to Matthew Newman, Kaeson Anderson, and Owen Edwards. However, the Bulldogs dropped one to 2A #1 Thermopolis, who matched up very well. This week the Bulldogs continue conference play with a home game against Worland. Next week they play at home against Powell and Thermop.
#2 Powell (10-1)
The Panthers appear to be very potent again in 2026, with an impressive 10-1 record. However, they did fall to 2A #1 Thermopolis, who is beating everyone lately. Mike Heny’s teams have been excellent over the last few years, and this group has been there for most of it. All Seniors (5) and Juniors (5), this team has a wealth of experience in the 3A West. Their last game against a 3A team was a decisive win against #3 Douglas on Dec. 20th — this week they go on the road to Cody and Worland.
#3 Douglas (8-4)
The Bearcats have received a bunch of top-5 votes this week, up to #2. Douglas is an intriguing team, with a trio of double-figure scorers — Colton Peterson (16.4ppg), Collin Roberts (16.1ppg), and Donnie Taylor (10.9ppg). The Bearcats are an experienced team with 5 seniors in the starting rotation. Coach Chase Plumb will have this team ready to take on any 3A team come regional play.
#4 Lander Valley (9-3)
The Tigers feature three players in double-figures, Noah St. Clair (12.8ppg), Finn McFadden (11.4ppg), and Pax Hollingshead (10.1ppg). When this team shoots well from outside, they can beat anyone in 3A. The bench of Lander Valley is going to be the key factor in 2026, if bigman Brenner Coleman, and guards Caleb Andrews, Colter Heikklia, and Garrett Romer can contribute some outside shooting. The Tigers are an athletic team, enabling the press and alternating defenses which have controlled the tempo in most games.
#5 Buffalo (4-5)
The Bison have cracked the top-5 for the first time in 2026. This week’s coaches ranking gave Buffalo a ranked spot for their duo of Hayden Geis and Wacy Lambert, who average 14.5ppg and 12.1ppg.
2A Boys
#1 Thermopolis (9-3)
Although the Bobcats dropped a tough game to Wyoming Indian on Jan. 8th, it’s so difficult not to give the edge to Thermopolis in this week’s 2A Boys Ranking. The Bobcats and Chiefs tied in 1st-place votes this week, but Thermopolis just took down 3A #1 and #2 Lovell and Powell last weekend. Headlined by Cody Bomengen, the Bobcats played their best basketball of 2026, and have earned the slight edge over Wyoming Indian for this week’s #1 ranking. Ellis Webber has emerged as a premier guard in Wyoming — although undersized, his physical ballhandling and quickness take a ton of pressure off the Bobcats late in close-games. Coach Corpening has gained a ton of experience this year, playing only two games against 2A teams through 12 games — and it’s starting to show on the court.
#2 Wyoming Indian (14-2)
The Chiefs, to no fault of their own, have dropped to #2 in 2A for the first time all season. The Bobcats of Thermop have played one of the toughest schedules in Wyoming — therefore, the nod for 2A’s top spot. However, the Chiefs did regain an arguably-top player in 2A with Cordell Spoonhunter, who’s been in-and-out of the lineup so far. The combination of Heeyei’Niitou Monroe-Black, Adriano Brown, and Cordell Spoonhunter, might be the best trio in 2A. Their size, length, shot-blocking, endurance, and tough-shot making make the Chiefs a team that can also beat anyone in Wyoming, not just 2A. Parlayne Ferris, Jordan Black, and Julius Robinson are all competent guards with 3-point shooting ability, defense, and off-ball cutting make the Chiefs a totally-complete 6-man rotation.
#3 Big Horn (8-4)
The Rams received the most #3-rank votes this week, for the second time in a row. Last week they beat #4 Pine Bluffs in a huge win. I’m very optimistic about this program — freshman Boone Reno leads the team in scoring (12.6ppg), and junior Chase Garber is also in double-figures (10.9). Only three seniors on the team, but a very solid group of juniors is starting to find their stride. Stay tuned on the Rams — we’ll see how the next few weeks of conference play goes. This is going to be a very good team.
#4 Pine Bluffs (8-6)
Carsten Freeburg headlines for the Hornets, scoring 19.3ppg, and 5.5 boards per game. Colby Lerwick averages 12.7ppg, and leads the team in 3-point shooting. This is a very young team — Freeburg being the only senior, they are not very deep. We’ll see how things shake out for the Bluffs over the next few weeks of conference play.
#5 Wright (9-4)
The Panthers are led by Mitchell Stroschein with 23.4 (most in 2A). They are 9-4 so far in 2026, and recently lost to #4 Pine Bluffs last weekend. This week they play Sundance and Tongue River.
1A Boys
#1 Lingle-Ft. Laramie (12-0)
The Doggers are selected as a unanimous #1 in 1A for the second week in a row — to no surprise, as the Doggers are now 12-0. They are holding the top-spot in 1A captive, now winning 40 consecutive games en-route to the 2026 state tournament. Coach Cook’s defense is suffocating, led by Anthony Arnusch. This team had to redefine their offense after graduating key pieces last year — but they’re clicking already, and it’s not even February.
#2 Lusk (12-4)
Lusk is a very solid team again in 2026, and we’ve seen them compete very well this season. Although they lost both games last weekend, it was by four points to 1A #1 Lingle, and five points to 2A #5 Wright. They are fairly deep this year, and will need everyone to take down Lingle. Although Corbin Matthews is the only player in double figures (12.7ppg), the Tigers feature a trio of Matthews, Raynce Brott, and Nathan Miller who’ve all scored 18+ in a game. If they can find some outside shooting, this team will be tough to beat.
#3 Saratoga (10-2)
Saratoga received the most #3 votes in this week’s coaches poll. The Panthers are 10-2 so far, and have played very well against some tough teams. Coach Williams has been there long enough to coach talented teams, and with a little more experience, this will be a top-program. Jace Westring leads the Panthers with 13ppg, but this is a collaborative team — Hazen Williams, Burris Berger, Max Jones, and Griffin Bartlett are all around that 8-9ppg range. This week they beat local rivals Encampment and Baggs, and they play HEM next weekend before a 16 day break.
#4 Upton (7-5)
The Bobcats have consistently received top-5 votes, and for good reason. They’ve beaten a talented Snake River team, who just lost their best player to injury (Tymber Cozzens). Two of their losses are to Hot Springs, South Dakota, another two to 2A Rocky Mountain and 2A Shoshoni.
#5 Cokeville (7-6)
Another team consistently receiving top-5 votes is Cokeville, who, according to coaches in this week’s poll, are better than their record. Sophomore Joey Thomas leads the team with 16.8ppg, paired with an excellent back-court mate in Ammon Hatch, who averages 6.8 assists per game and 3.8 steals. They’ve won their last four games, and play unranked Encampment and Farson-Eden (who they just beat last weekend).