Conference play finally starts in 4A, and the basketball season is reaching the midway point this week. The new poll has 3 teams taking all the first place votes, in their respective class.

Gillette is now the unanimous #1 in the 4A poll. The Camels start conference play home vs. Kelly Walsh and at Laramie this weekend. Rock Springs moves up to #2, and only have to deal with their Sweetwater County rivals at Green River. Sheridan continues to climb up the ladder, and now find themselves at #3. The Broncs play at Laramie and at Kelly Walsh this weekend. Natrona drops to #4, after losing both games last week. The Mustangs will head west this weekend, to open up conference business. The big game is Saturday at #5 Evanston, but before that, NC has to visit Star Valley, while the Red Devils host Riverton. SV and Riverton are probably looking at both of this weekend's games, as opportunities to prove themselves.

For the 2nd week in a row, Buffalo is the unanimous #1 team in 3A. The Bison play at Glenrock on Friday, return home for a Saturday contest with Lander, and then cross the mountains for a Tuesday game at Worland. Wheatland, Torrington and Rawlins all hold at #2, #3 and #4. The Bulldogs have the tough schedule coming up. At Rawlins on Friday, and then home to the TrailBlazers on Tuesday. Torrington may be the defending state champs, but they probably haven't forgetten, that they lost to their arch-rivals twice last year. However, the 'Blazers have to deal with a Friday game at Newcastle first. As for the Outlaws...after the Wheatland game, they will visit Douglas on Saturday. Powell is back in the poll at #5. The Panthers just have 1 game this week, and that will be more than enough, considering it's Friday, at Cody.

No change in the top 4 of the 2A poll. Lovell, Big Horn, Kemmerer and Wyoming Indian in that order. Tongue River now has the #5 spot to themselves, after sharing it with Pine Bluffs last week. The big games have a Saturday contest with Lovell at TR, but the bigger game may be on Friday, when WIHS visits Kemmerer. Flash back to last season...the Chiefs went into the Rangers gym, gave up a 23 point cushion, but escaped with a buzzer beater. Kemmerer got some payback a few weeks later in Ethete, which ended up being the only loss on the season for Wyoming Indian. Many were hoping for a 3rd or 4th contest, but it never happened, because Kemmerer didn't survive the regionals. Now the 2 teams can duke it out, after a long wait. As for BH, the Rams look to remain undefeated, as they play at Wright and home vs. Sundance.

The other unanimous team is Little Snake River, in Class 1A. The Rattlers probably earned it, after a convincing win last week at home vs. #2 St. Stephens. The 1A poll is unchanged from week. H.E.M., Ten Sleep and Kaycee, round out the top 5. The fun game will be Friday night, as Ten Sleep visits St. Stephens. LSR will play at Saratoga on Friday, then home vs. Rangley, CO on Saturday. the Miners head west to play Cokeville and Farson-Eden. After Friday's game, the Pioneers will return home to face Dubois, while the Buckaroos are at home vs. Upton, and at Guernsey this weekend.

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