Laramie Plainsmen Suffer First Loss to Greeley Central

The Laramie High School boys lost to Greeley Central, 70-66, on Thursday in their first game at the Greeley Boys Basketball Invitational. It was their first loss of the season.

After four lead changes and four ties in a back-and-forth final quarter, Laramie had a critical turnover in the final minute that thwarted their chance to catch the Wildcats in the end. It was 63-61 Greeley Central, when a travel was called on Tyler Loose. The Wildcats then made seven free throws down the stretch and held on for the four-point victory.

All five Laramie starters scored in the double figures. Loose led the way with 18 points. Dominick Villarreal had 12 points and a team-high 8 rebounds. Abel Casas added 12 points, while Sam Feldman and Sam Hainline chipped 10 points apiece.

It didn't look good early on for LHS, as the Plainsmen found themselves down by 14 in the first quarter. Greeley Central shot 71 percent in the opening period and held a 26-13 lead at the end of the first eight minutes. Laramie fought back and out-scored the Wildcats 19-9 in the second quarter and trimmed the deficit to three points by halftime, 35-32.

Laramie (4-1) shot 55 percent in the game, but went just 4-14 from 3-point range and had 17 turnovers.

The Plainsmen fell into the consolation side of the bracket and will play the Windsor Wizards on Friday at 3:00 pm. You can listen to Laramie Plainsmen basketball on KOWB, as coverage will begin at 2:15 Friday afternoon. David Settle and VerDon Hoopes will call the action from Baggot Gym in Greeley.