Lecholat Chosen as 2019-2020 Gatorade WY Boys Basketball POY

Sheridan Bronc standout Sam Lecholat has been named the 2019-2020 Gatorade Wyoming Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

The Gatorade Company made the announcement Thursday morning. Lecholat is a two-time First-Team All-State selection in Class 4A. He becomes the second winner from Sheridan High School. The first was Devan Royer in 2002-2003.

The 6’6 junior led the Broncs to a 15-8 record and a berth in the 2020 Class 4A state tournament. Lecholat averaged 18.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He led Class 4A in rebounding and was fourth in scoring. Lecholat also put in 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and a blocked shot per game.

This award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. It distinguishes Lecholat as Wyoming’s best high school boys’ basketball player. He is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year Award.

In the release from Gatorade, Evanston coach Lex Cornia complimented Lecholat’s ability to step up at key times.

“Sam has played in the biggest games and at the biggest times, he’s delivered. The fact he’s a dual-threat inside and outside makes him a difficult player to go against.”

Lecholat also excels in the classroom and holds a 3.86 GPA. His volunteer work includes community beautification projects and with the Salvation Army.

He has verbally committed to play Division 1 basketball at Montana State University beginning in the fall of 2021.

Lecholat joins recent winners Erik Oliver from Cheyenne East (2018-2019), Trey Hladky of Campbell County (2017-18 & 2016-17), and Hoyt Nicholas of Worland (2015-16), among the state’s recent winners.

The announcement of the 2019-2020 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year was temporarily postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, The Gatorade Company will follow the guidance of experts and health officials as it determines the appropriate time to announce this year’s winner.

As a part of Gatorade’s cause marketing platform “Play it Forward,” Lecholat also has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of his choosing. He is also eligible to submit an essay to win one of twelve $10,000 spotlight grants for the organization of choice, which will be announced throughout the year.

For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit www.Gatorade.com/POY, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GatoradePOY or follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Gatorade.

WyoPreps wishes to thank Ashley Cooper from Cooper Photo Co. for her help with the featured image.