Burns Bronc Colton Wright keeps his focus on the basket while Pine Bluffs Hornet Brady Lamb tries to interfer during Saturday.

The Burns Broncs opened their court to the South Bisons and Pine Bluffs Hornets last week. The Broncs dropped a tight game with the Bisons, losing 51-50 on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Then on Saturday, the Hornets came to play. The Broncs sent their inter-district rivals packing with Burns on the winning end of a 57-37 score.

A lead covering three quarters was not enough to assure a Broncs win Jan. 17, as a final period surge by the South Bisons gave the Bisons a one-point victory. The tally at the end of the contest on the Broncs home court was 51-50, Bisons.

“The Broncs were unable to finish off the Bisons on Tuesday night in Burns,” said coach Sean Patterson. “Burns was able to build an early lead, but saw it disappear late in the fourth quarter. In the last 11 minutes of the game we did not play well offensively, defensively, or in the transition game and it hurt us in the end.”

Burns began the game with a 19-13 first period lead. The second quarter was a closer 8-7 Broncs, which had the Broncs heading into halftime with a 27-20 lead. South closed the gap by putting 14 on the board in the third canto, while Burns tacked on 12 to hold onto a 5-point lead. The 11 points scored by the Broncs was not enough for the win as South found the net for 17 in the final period of play.

“We are very disappointed in the way that we finished the game on Tuesday,” Patterson said. “We give South credit for playing hard and earning the win, but we have to play smarter than we did. We look to use this game, just like any other, as a learning experience. We want to get better each day and our goal is to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season!”

Travis Romsa led the Broncs in scoring with 13 points. Colton Wright followed with 10, while Brodie Eklund put up nine buckets. Chad Lemaster added six, while Cody Lemaster put up five points. Kaleb Morgan put three points on the board and Trever McNamee contributed two. Cody Leader and Ryder Bishop each connected for one at the charity stripe.

The Broncs showed they were indeed “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” as they donned pink uniforms to play the Pine Bluffs Hornets on Saturday. Burns outscored their foes by 20 points.

“This was a very physical game with both teams committing over 20 fouls,” said Patterson. “It was tough to get into a flow and rhythm in the first half with all the fouls and free throws being shot. In the second half we were able to get the tempo of the game sped up, which played a big role in the victory.”

The Broncs posted a two-point 9-7 lead in the first canto, and followed that with a 15-8 second quarter. The score at the half was 24-15 Broncs. The opening of the second half saw the teams knot their shooting at 13. In the final period the Broncs were busy at the bucket netting 20 points, while holding the Hornets to nine.

The Broncs were led by Wright’s double-double 19 points and 10 rebounds. Eklund stepped up with 12 points, eight rebounds, and five steals. Romsa also put 12 points on the board, while Chad Lemaster and Morgan each found the basket for four. Leader and Colby Ward contributed two points apiece. Cody Lemaster and Bishop each connected at the foul line to add one each.

“We always enjoy this game, the gym is full and the kids for both teams compete at high level,” Patterson said.

The Burns Junior Varsity team lost to South on Tuesday. They were able to bounce back on Saturday and earn a win over Pine Bluffs. Their record now stands at 9-3.

The freshmen/sophomore team traveled to Cheyenne on Friday and Saturday for a Freshmen Tournament. They lost to South on Friday and Wheatland on Saturday.

Coming up for the Broncs are two more home games. On Friday, they will welcome Lingle-Ft. Laramie. Then on Saturday, they will face the Lusk Tigers.