The 2012-2013 season of high school basketball began Thursday for the Laramie Plainsmen and Laramie Lady Plainsmen at the McDonald's Classic in Cheyenne. The Plainsmen won their opener 56-51 over Kelly Walsh, while the Lady Plainsmen dropped a 51-41 game to Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins, CO).

The Plainsmen led most of the way and seemed to have an answer for every threat the Trojans presented. Behind three early 3-pointers from Senior guard Abel Casas, LHS held a 14-11 after the first quarter. They extended their advantage to 11 points on two different occasions in the second. Kelly Walsh made a late 11-4 spurt and closed within 26-22 at halftime. Laramie started the third quarter on a 13-6 run to get back up by 11 points, at 39-28, before the Trojans closed back within six at the end of the period. The Plainsmen led 41-35 heading into the fourth and kept KW at bay, as they closed out a 56-51 win.

Senior Sam Hainline led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Casas added 13 points. Senior Tyler Loose contributed only 5 points, but had 10 rebounds.

The Plainsmen return to action Friday at 3:30 pm against the Rock Springs Tigers in their second game of the McDonald's Classic in Cheyenne.

The Laramie Lady Plainsmen got off to a hot start and built a 10-point lead over Fossil Ridge before the Sabercats woke up. The Laramie girls led 17-8 after the first quarter, but went cold from the field and suffered through turnover problems. They failed to score until the 2:29 mark of the second quarter, scored over four points in the period and had 15 turnovers at halftime. Still, they managed a 21-19 lead at half. The second half was all Fossil Ridge. They took the lead for good early in the third and held the Lady Plainsmen off. The Sabercats knocked down 14-of-17 free throws in the game and steadily pulled away for the 10-point victory, 51-41.

Senior Katie Kuhn led the LHS girls with 11 points, while Senior Madison Legerski and Junior Megan Dooley added 7 points apiece. Laramie ended up with 25 total turnovers in the loss.

The Lady Plainsmen return to action tonight against the Evanston Lady Red Devils at 5 pm in their second game of the McDonald's Classic.

Both games will be at Cheyenne South High School. LHS basketball can be heard on KOWB starting at 2:45 Friday afternoon. David Settle and VerDon Hoopes will call the action.

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