Douglas’ Reign Over 3A Girls Basketball Was Extended in 2022

The Douglas Bearcats continued their dominance in 3A girls’ basketball with their fourth straight state championship on Saturday night in Casper.

The Bearcats beat Lyman in the title game for the second straight year, 45-37. Allison Olsen scored a game-high 17 points and grabbed six rebounds for Douglas. Lauren Olsen added 12 points. The Bearcats scored 15 points off 17 Lyman turnovers.

Allison Olsen never lost in a championship game during her prep career.

“It feels great. We came out here, and we proved it. We lost a lot of people, had many doubters, and we prove them wrong.”

The title game was close early on, but Douglas stretched it out to 25-17 by halftime. A strong third quarter increased the Bearcats’ lead to 36-22. Lyman made a push in the fourth quarter and got within six points, but Douglas made enough free throws down the stretch to close out the victory.

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Olsen added that they finished it off as a team.

“I would say we all did it. When I got the ball (in the fourth quarter), I knew that they were going to foul me, and I knew I was going to make my free throws. It was our team. They got me the ball, and they got my sister the ball, and we finished.”

Bearcats’ head coach Cody Helenbolt did not consider his team the favorite entering this season.

“There were a lot of good teams this year. It was a really competitive tournament. I knew we had talent but we had a long way to go, at a lot of points in the year. Words can’t describe how proud of the kids I am. Allison Olsen probably had the best six games (the last six) that I’ve seen any player in our program play.”

The Eagles were led by Brice Hansen with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Caroline Bradshaw contributed nine points. Lyman outrebounded Douglas 34-26.

This is officially the fourth state championship in a row for Douglas, as no trophy was awarded in 2020. The Bearcats finished 25-3.

Helenbolt added, “It was just a group effort, and it was awesome.”

Lyman wrapped up its season 23-4.