Wyoming Premier Hoops Opens Summer Season at WyoHoops Summer Showcase

Wyoming Premier Hoops did not have the showing it set out to have to open the summer season, but both squads left Casper with something valuable. Experience, film, chemistry, and a better understanding of what needs to happen next.

The 19U Select and 16U Gold teams both finished the weekend at 2 and 3 in the first ever WyoHoops Summer Showcase in Casper, Wyoming. It was not the record the program wanted, but it was the kind of weekend that can help build a team if the right lessons are taken from it.

For the 19U group, the weekend was less about panic and more about progress. The roster is still coming together, and the team recently added two major frontcourt pieces with Cody Bomengen of Hot Springs County High School and 6 foot 7 Cody High School big man Joshua Sauers. Those additions give Wyoming Premier more size, toughness, and scoring potential as the summer moves forward.

Coach said he saw enough from the older group to believe they can become one of the top teams in Wyoming.

“Our 19U team showed signs of becoming a team that can be one of the best in the state,” Coach said. “I feel like our older guys can compete with any team in the region. This was the first time this group really got together as a team this summer, so once we get everyone together and get a couple practices in, I expect the results to be much better.”

The 19U team had flashes throughout the weekend where the talent was obvious. When the ball moved, when the defense locked in, and when the group played together, Wyoming Premier looked like a team that could give opponents problems. The next step is turning those flashes into full games.

For the 16U Gold team, the weekend may have been the biggest surprise. With several incoming freshmen on the roster, the group was thrown straight into a physical, competitive setting against players who could see varsity minutes this upcoming high school season.

Coach said he did not know exactly what to expect from the younger team, but he came away encouraged.

“I was very happy with what I saw from the 16U group,” Coach said. “We have a lot of incoming freshmen on this team, and they are playing against kids who may get varsity minutes this year. That is important for them. They need to get used to playing against bigger, stronger, more physical teams.”

The 16U group showed toughness, energy, and a willingness to learn on the fly. With no practice time together, they still managed to set up plays, run offense, and find success when they stayed patient. That was one of the biggest takeaways from the weekend.

“I have always said 16U is one of the toughest and most competitive age groups,” Coach said. “That is where kids are still hungry and ready to get after it. They were a joy to watch. With no practice, I watched them set up plays and run them with a lot of success when they played patient. I think we stumbled onto some gems with that whole group.”

The weekend may not have ended with the record Wyoming Premier wanted, but it gave the program a real starting point. Both teams showed fight. Both teams showed areas that need work. Most importantly, both teams showed that there is something to build on.

The 19U Select team will look to sharpen its chemistry and use its added size to become a more complete group. The 16U Gold team will look to keep growing, keep competing, and keep proving that its young roster can play with older and more physical competition.

Wyoming Premier Hoops will now turn its attention to its next tournament, which is still to be announced. After a 2 and 3 start for both squads, the message is simple.

The results were not perfect, but the foundation is there. Now it is time to respond.