Pine Bluffs Boys Basketball working to hang another banner

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Last season was a special one for the Pine Bluffs Hornets, as the boys team put together their first State Championship victory since 2018. While getting to the top was a difficult task, coach Tyler Kimzey sees the challenges ahead as the reigning title holders.

“We’ve just talked with them about how tough it is, and it’s almost tougher to go back to back than it is to win that wirst one. You’ve definitely got a target on your back. It’ll be a long year, and they’re gonna have to do all the little things right,” coach Kimzey mentioned of the upcoming season.

The team finished last year with a 24-3 record, with a clean 4-0 run inside their quadrant coming with it. Four seniors have departed the Hornets roster, but a few key cogs remain in their starting lineup. Stu Lerwick, Ryan Fornstrom, and Dalton Schaefer have built up plenty of chemistry both on the gridiron and the hardwood, with that potentially leading to a portion of their success.

“We’re all just family. We’re all brothers and we all play together and it just makes it more enjoyable to play with each other,” said Senior Ryan Fornstrom.

Senior Dalton Schaefer said, “It was the same way for football. I think it motivates us a lot more, it keeps us hungry, and it ‘s our last try so we’re gonna try to make it worth it.”

It’s been a strong 12 months for the Hornets’ trophy cabinet. On top of the 2A State Title they picked up in basketball, the football team finished atop 1A 9-Man just a few weeks ago. With such a strong run to close out their senior year, those previously mentioned players have one last trophy to collect before they move on to their next steps.

“It just gave us a little bit of confidence going in to basketball season. I mean, it feels really good to get over the hump in football which was fun. It just gives us confidence, but we can’t act cocky. We gotta come and work for it every day,” said Stu Lerwick.

Pine Bluffs will begin their season against Wheatland on 12/8 as a part of the Burns Insurance Winter Classic.

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