Hoops Landscape following ’25-26 Pre-Season

The beginning to every Wyoming basketball season brings plenty of excitement and storylines for the foreseeable three-month season – none more anticipated than 2026. We are officially beyond the holiday-break, and Wyoming basketball is ramping up for another dramatic, varsity season. 

Today we are looking at the entire landscape of Wyoming hoops, from the 4A Class to the 1A Class. Wyoming Five Star has compiled a run-down of Wyoming’s top teams, players, and stories with the conclusion of pre-season play.

A few stories jump out immediately: 

The Cody Fillies dominant play advocates for an official ‘Wyoming Power-Ranking.’ Hoops fans know the reality of their situation – not sure if anyone will challenge them through 2026. This group now has multiple years of championship experience through several sports, and is flexing it thus far. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to bet on the Fillies going undefeated. 

The 3A West Boys conference looks to be a gauntlet again in 2026, led by defending-champion #1 Lovell. #2 Powell and #3 Lander Valley are also from 3A West, and look very tough in the early goings. Lovell hosts the 3A West Regional on March 5-7.

The 2A Boys scene is very intriguing. On one hand, you’ve got pre-season favorites like Thermopolis and Wyoming Indian; on the other hand, there’s Big Horn, Rocky Mountain, and Wright all vying for an S-tier promotion. I wouldn’t sleep on Greybull (class-leading defense and rebounding), or Shoshoni (four scorers averaging double-digits). 

All-Class Leaders (Girls)

The Fillies of Cody lead all-Wyoming teams in scoring, averaging 64.3ppg with a whopping +39.6 point differential through seven games. They average 64 field-goal attempts each games. Cody also features the state’s best defense – 24.7 points allowed per game, with 22.8 steals per game. 

The Burlington Huskies are leading rebounders at the moment, averaging 39.1 boards per contest. They double their opponents rebounds on average (19.6 allowed). The Huskies collect 19.8 offensive rebounds per game, two-and-a-half more than the state’s second best team (Cody). 

3A Girls fans could probably guess the best outside-shooting team in the state; it’s the Pinedale  Wranglers. They can light it up in a hurry, shooting 45.3% from the floor as a team. The Wranglers fire 17.5 threes per game, and make over 6 per game. 

Jaylin Mills of Sundance leads Wyoming in points per game, currently averaging 26.1. The Bulldogs are 6-1 so far, led by Mills in nearly every category. She has hit 19 three’s already, and 183 total points. Mills is seventh in Wyoming for 3-Point % with 48%. She hits 2.7 threes per game. 

Jaylin Mills currently holds the highest single-game scoring performance of the season – 42 points in a victory over Wyoming Indian (Dec. 13th). Mills shot 7-12 from 3-point land against the Lady Chiefs (T-1st single-game 3FG Made). That night, her Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) was 75%. 

The single-game rebounding leader is Lilly Lozier of Kemmerer, who collected 23 rebounds against Manila, Utah (Jan. 2nd). The freshman averages a double-double (20.7ppg/14rpg). 

Natalie Long of Torrington leads Wyoming in assists/game (6.0). Lillie Richardson of Worland leads Wyoming in rebounds/game (14.0). Amelia Palmer of Casper Christian leads in steals/game (7.7). Sheridan Sarvey of Glenrock leads Wyoming in blocks/game (3.7). 

All-Class Leaders (Boys)

The Chiefs of Wyoming Indian (#1 2A) lead all of Wyoming in scoring, averaging 75.6ppg. They average +6 points over the next-highest team (Lander Valley). This team is extremely deep – in fact, for being the state’s highest scoring team, they don’t have a single player on the individual scoring leaders list. The Chiefs are beating teams by +31.2, and undefeated through eight games. 

Lander Valley (#3 3A) scored a state-high 101 points against Burns (Dec. 20th). The Tigers narrowly lead Wyoming in 3FG% (47.8). They average about 7-20 from 3-point range, and 20-36 from 2-point range. Lander Valley holds the 1st and 2nd highest FGM in a single-game, 39 against Burns and 37 against Newcastle. 

The top defensive team, measured by points allowed/game is Lingle-Ft. Laramie (28.6ppg allowed). The Doggers are #1 in 1A ball, prompting another run at the title with a stout defense. They had 31 steals (and 36 forced turnovers) against Hannah Elk Mountain (Dec. 19th), which is tied for first in single-game steals. 

Ft. Washakie leads Wyoming in rebounding with 38.2 per game. The Eagles allow 24 rebounds per game, however. Their highest rebounding game of the season was against Rock River (Dec. 13th) when they collected 56 total boards (T-2nd single-game). 

Max Potas of Meeteetse leads Wyoming with 27.8ppg, over two points above the second-highest (Kyle Smith of Hulett, 25.5). His best game of the season was on December 20th vs. Farson-Eden, in which Potas scored 32 points in a blowout victory. 

Cooper Lancaster (#3 Star Valley) currently holds the season highest for single-game scoring with 38 points (vs. Sandpoint, Idaho on Dec. 12). Lancaster is currently the 5th-highest scorer in Wyoming with 23.4ppg. He shoots 50% from the floor, and 75% from the FT Line.

The top rebounder in Wyoming is Mitchell Strohschein (Wright) with 11.8rpg. Strohschein is considered one of the best players in 2A basketball, currently sitting in third for points per game (25.1). The senior averages 3.1 blocks/game (2nd in Wyoming). The Panthers are currently ranked #3 in 2A with a 6-2 overall record. 

Paul McNiven of Burlington holds the single-game record for rebounds (35 vs. Saratoga). Matthew Newman of Lovell leads Wyoming in assists in a single-game (11 vs. Kelly Walsh). Christian Genho has the most 3FGM in a game (8 vs. Lander Valley). 

Ammon Hatch of Cokeville leads Wyoming in assists/game (6.8). Kyle Smith of Hulett leads in steals with 5.3 per game. Owen Walker of Lovell leads in blocks with 3.2 shots/game. Jordan Black of Wyoming Indian leads in 3FG% with 67%.