Boys Basketball Rankings, Week 3
This week’s Boys Basketball rankings are officially released! We saw a lot of movement in the 4A and 3A Classes, but not much in the 2A and 1A Classes. The teams are in the heart of conference play, and every single game is starting to matter more and more. We are about one month away form regional basketball, and these programs are the front runners for a title.
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 (11-1)
Sheridan continues to top the 4A Boys Rankings, again receiving the #1 rank for three consecutive weeks. The Broncs are coached by Jeff Martini, who’s led them against an extremely tough schedule. This program is so solid — led by a 17.9ppg scoring effort of senior Nate Miner. They’re the best 4A team in scoring (71.1ppg), 2-pt shooting (49.3%), and team-defense (43.2ppg). They’re also the second best team in rebounding (31.8rpg) and second in 3-pt shooting (37%). This program is 4-0 in conference play, and are showing no signs of fatigue.
#2 Natrona County (8-5)
The Mustangs jump all the way to #2 in this week’s coaches voting group, fresh off big wins over 4A West opponents #4 Green River (56-22) and #5 Rock Springs (48-45). Of course, the home-court advantage at the state tournament is always helpful for the Casper schools, and the Mustangs could take advantage of that in 2026. The regional tournament is in Evanston, but before that, NC will continue their conference play against cross-town rivals Kelly Walsh.
#3 Cheyenne Central (10-4)
The Indians of Cheyenne Central are looking very good again in 2026, and jumped up to #3 in this week’s coaches poll. The Indians are a solid program, and Randy Filbin has them playing very well again this season. A couple big wins last weekend over Chey. East and Thunder Basin have given this team a lot of confidence heading into the next few weeks of conference play. They should win their next three games over 4A East opponents Laramie, South, and Campbell County, but will have to face off with Sheridan on Feb. 7. If that’s the case, their 10th consecutive win might be exactly what they need to take down the Broncs.
#4 Green River (11-2)
The Wolves have jumped around the rankings this year, but have remained in the top-five. A bad loss to #2 Natrona County last week stunned Green River, but Laurie Ivie will have her team ready to respond this weekend. They play their rival, and #5 ranked Rock Springs this week — a huge chance to right the proverbial ship and continue their excellent season.
#5 Rock Springs (10-3)
The Tigers are playing very well in 2026 — and conference play will be a big opportunity for them to climb the rankings. Lennon Spence has the Tigers in an excellent position heading into regional play, which is hosted by Evanston this year. Boston James leads the way with 18.6ppg (2nd in 4A). This week the Tigers play their nextdoor neighbor, #4 ranked Green River.
3A Boys
#1 Lovell (11-2)
The defending champions are ranked #1 again this week, never dropping from the top spot this season. This program is very talented, well-coached, with an undeniably solid core. Owen Walker, the bigman, is a defensive force that has pummeled opponents (even 4A) this year, paired with an athletic and wirey frame that scores in transition and the half-court. Matthew Newman facilitates a potent offense, mainly Walker with Kaeson Anderson and Owen Edwards. Although the Bulldogs dropped to 2A #1 Thermopolis last weekend, they responded with a big win over Worland to start conference play. The Bulldogs host the 3A West Regional this year, and look poised to defend their title.
#2 Lander Valley (10-3)
The 3A Rankings have jumped all over the place this year (outside of the top spot), and this week the Tigers of Lander Valley land in the #2 spot. The Tigers narrowly edged out #3 Douglas, who received a multiple #2 votes as well. Lander Valley’s offense is intriguing. They’re quite athletic, and the dribble-drive offense creates plenty of opportunities at the rim, and the 3-pt line. However, the Tigers are a streaky shooting team but when it rains, it pours. Already eclipsing 100 points against Burns (101, Dec. 20) in which they buried 10-23 three-balls. They continue conference play this week against Pinedale, who features 3A’s top scorer Matthew Gosar (22.2ppg).
#3 Douglas (9-4)
The Bearcats have pummeled 3A East competition, and sit comfortably in the top spot of their conference. Last week they beat Torrington by 27, after a dominant weekend over Newcastle and #5 Buffalo last weekend. The Bearcats are, traditionally, tough to play come post-season competition. Seniors Collin Roberts and Colton Peterson are playing especially well as of late — they average 16.2ppg and 15.6ppg respectively. Ultimately, this season will come down to the Bearcats ability to protect a good seed going into regionals, and carry it into state. The 3A West is stacked in 2026, and the Bearcats could use every advantage at the state tournament’s first round. After that, anything can happen — and it seems like the Bearcat programs always do make something happen.
#4 Powell (11-2)
The Panthers fell two spots in this week’s rankings, after a dramatic loss to 2A #1 Thermopolis, who, of course, is no slouch. On the brighter side, Thermopolis also beat 3A #1 Lovell last week. However, the Panthers fall to #4 in this week’s coaches poll. The Powell teams have been excellent as of late, and this season is no exception. The staff here is not counting the Panthers out whatsoever, especially with Mike Heny at the helm. This team won’t turn the ball over, they will rebound and play defense, and they will always play extremely hard — all things that you can’t read from the scorebook. Powell will get a crack at #1 Lovell on the road this weekend, and another matchup with a ranked team the following day (#5 Buffalo).
#5 Buffalo (6-5)
Byron Geis has the Bison playing very well in 2026, although the overall record might not reflect. For the second week in a row, the Bison secure a top-5 rank. They’ve played an extremely tough schedule, to the likes of 2A Thermop and 3A Lovell. This program is sneakily good, and playing great basektball lately. Buffalo rides a three game winning streak, beating Newcastle and Glenrock badly last week. The Bison host the 3A East regional, and could use some momentum over the next four weeks — they face #4 Powell and Worland this weekend, and they’ll play #3 Douglas again on Feb. 20
2A Boys
#1 Thermopolis (9-3)
The Bobcats are ranked #1 in 2A again this week, narrowly splitting votes with Wyoming Indian (again). The Bobcats are playing wonderfully, and starting to hit their stride in a big way — last week beating 3A’s #1 Lovell and #2 Powell at home. Cody Bomengen is rising as a top player in Wyoming. He’s 6’5, shoots 65% from 2, averages 17.9ppg and grabs 9.7 boards per game. But where the Bobcats really shine is their #2 and #3 men, Zak Hastie and Ellis Webber. Hastie has the ability to score at all four levels, hit timely three’s, and plays incredibly defense. Ellis Webber powers the offense, taking the ballhandling responsibility completely off the shooting guards. This team isn’t particularly deep, but their chemistry is next-level.
#2 Wyoming Indian (16-2)
A lot of the things you say about #1 Thermopolis, you could say about #2 Wyoming Indian. To no fault of their own, and even having beaten the Bobcats at home earlier this month, the Chiefs narrowly dropped 1st-place votes to Thermop. However, the Chiefs are playing better than ever this season. Key scorer Cordell Spoonhunter is officially back after weeks of in-and-out due to injury. Heeyei’Niitou Monroe-Black, who buried the game-winner over Thermopolis on Jan. 8 is likely a top-five basketball player in Wyoming, scoring 21.5ppg and 323 total points. The Chiefs have just dominated opponents this year, recently beating Big Piney by 21, and Kemmerer by 36. This week they play Fremont County rivals Wind River, and Shoshoni next weekend.
Coaches Report:
“Wyoming Indian is the real deal. With injuries and sickness, they are still loaded.”
#3 Big Horn (10-4)
The #3 rank has been under attack in the 2A Boys Class, with teams like Wright, Big Horn, Pine Bluffs all receiving votes. This week, #3 Big Horn retains their position. This is a very young team, playing some good basketball and doing a lot of good things. This week they’ll play #5 Wright on the road, and a decisive win would do a lot for this program heading into the home stretches. The last time they played against a ranked opponent was against #4 Pine Bluffs on Jan. 10, but finish with two against #5 Wright, and travel to (#4) Pine Bluffs for regionals in a month.
#4 Pine Bluffs (9-6)
The Hornets have played pretty well through 2026, beating Wright twice and narrowly losing to #3 Big Horn. Tyler Kimzey has his team in a great position heading into regionals — they’re 4-1, and get to sleep in their own beds for a gauntlet of a regional. The Hornets finish conference play with a game against #1 Lingle next week, and again at the end of February, so their will be two opportunties to jump in the rankings before post-season play, but their conference-season has concluded. Pine Bluffs doesn’t play another conference game, but #3 Big Horn still has five conference games, and has the pieces to lock the #1 seed in 2A East.
#5 Wright (11-4)
The Panthers are a very interesting team. When you have a player who’s capable of 30+, you’re a dangerous program (Mitchell Strohschein). The Panthers have an impressive record, with 11 wins, but none over ranked opponents. However, the Panthers have a great opportunity to pick up momentum with five conference games remaining on their schedule. This week they play against #3 Big Horn at home.
1A Boys
#1 Lingle-Ft. Laramie (13-0)
Nothing has changed in the 1A Boys Rankings this year, and certainly not in the #1 spot. The Doggers continue to roll, who just shot 74% from 2-pt range against Guernsey last weekend. This program is firing on all cylinders. They play at #2 Lusk on Feb. 6, who they beat last weekend at home.
Coaches Report:
“HEM might have the best posts in 1A, although Brady Cook at LFL is the single best player in 1A …”
#2 Lusk (13-4)
Now for three weeks, the Tigers are slotted at #2 in the 1A Boys rankings. Lusk has had a great season so far, and played against some very good competition. Through 17 games, they are 2nd in team-scoring (57.5ppg), third in shooting (43.8 FG%), but only 7th in rebounding (32.4rpg) and 6th in team-defense (44.6ppg). Of course, none of these things are alarming. Especially with post-season play only a month away, scoring the basketball effectively is a premium. To break through in 1A, it will have to be against the #1 defense (and team) in 1A. The Tigers will play Lingle again on Feb. 6 at home — a key opportunity to shake things up in 1A.
#3 Saratoga (11-2)
The Panthers are #3 for the second consecutive week now, posting a 3-1 record in the tough 1A Southwest. They beat HEM last week (64-28) who has really improved over the season. The next four weeks will tell if Saratoga can make headway in their conference (currently second to 5-0 Cokeville in 1A SW) to secure a #1 or #2 seed. Snake River, who is unranked this week, just got back their best player, Tymber Cozzens, from injury, and are only one game behind Saratoga in conference-play. They’ll have a good opportunity this week, playing Ft. Washakie at home, and #5 Cokeville and Farson-Eden at home next weekend.
#4 Upton (9-5)
The Bobcats were voted #4 in 1A again this week, keeping them in the top-5 every week this season. Last week the Bobcats beat Arvada Clearmont (which appears to be a forfeiture), and Kaycee by 40. Nic Schiller leads the way with 14.4ppg, 7.1rpg, 3.9apg, and 3.6spg (all team-high). This team could easily win out to achieve 13-5 overall record heading into regional play.
#5 Cokeville (8-7)
The Panthers in Cokeville are now 5-0 in the 1A SW conference with big wins over all 5 conference opponents already. Their seven losses are particularly deceiving, dropping games to Rich Co. UT, Manila UT, 2A Rocky Mountain, 3A Lyman. The Panthers play #3 Saratoga on Feb. 6, and Encampment the next day. This is a dangerous team with a very solid core. Ammon Hatch is the point-guard with 6.8 assists per game, and 11.5 points a game. Joey Thomas and Hudson Himmerich are scoring 16.8, and 14.3 per game, respectively.