WyoPreps Athlete of the Week Boys State Basketball 2024 [VIDEOS]

The WyoPreps Athlete of the Week awards are a presentation of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Wyoming. We’re looking back on the state basketball championships earlier this month. WyoPreps chose a key player from each of the boys’ state championship teams to discuss the recent title. The four awards were based on performances at the 1A-2A and 3A-4A state basketball championships.

WYOMING HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONS 2024

The Upton Bobcats won their third Class 1A boys’ basketball state championship over the last four years. They dominated Saratoga, 55-36, in the title game. Senior Chase Mills scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out three assists in the championship game. He scored 23 and 19 points in their first two state tournament victories over Meeteetse and Farson-Eden.

Wyoming Indian returned to the top of Class 2A boys’ basketball with a hard-fought 49-42 victory over Lusk. Sophomore Darwin Gambler scored in double figures in all three state tournament games. He recorded a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds in the championship. In the first two rounds, Gambler scored 19 and 15 points in the Chiefs’ two wins over Pine Bluffs and Tongue River.

Get our free mobile app

In 3A, Powell completed an undefeated season thanks to players such as senior Gunnar Erickson. He scored 14 points and snagged four rebounds in the championship game win against Wheatland. Erickson added 13 and 17 points in the victories versus Rawlins and Buffalo.

The last title won was by the Cheyenne Central Indians in Class 4A. Senior Chase Talich scored 18 points and had the clinching free throws with 2.7 seconds left in the finale against Laramie. Central held on for a 62-59 victory. Talich scored 27 points in the first round against Riverton and added 13 more points in the semifinal victory over Natrona County.

WyoPreps’ David Settle had a chance to visit with the four players recently to reflect on their championship. They discussed the feeling of winning it all a few weeks after the fact, what it took in their run to the title, what they thought was a key or the difference for their team, and more.

Thank you to Chase, Darwin, Gunnar, and Chase for representing their school’s title-winning team. Congrats to the four boys’ basketball state champions in 2024: Upton, Wyoming Indian, Powell, and Cheyenne Central.

The WyoPreps Athlete of the Week nominations are open from Fridays at 5 p.m. until Mondays at 9 a.m. Coaches, family, friends, and student-athletes can nominate deserving student-athletes. Early and late nominations are not accepted.