The state experience was electric. None of us had really been able to experience it before. Our sophomore year, we went zero and two, so just being able to come in and win a couple of games, make it to day three and just really feel the atmosphere of state basketball – it was incredible.”

Senior Mac Hibben

CASPER – The 2025 3A state basketball tournament was an emotional rollercoaster for the Torrington High School Blazers.

The Blazers came out hard and fast in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 13, defeating Mountain View, 52-37.

Moving up to the semifinals on Friday evening, Torrington squared off against Cody. The Blazers found it difficult to put up shots and gain offensive traction against the Broncs and Cody won, 69-23.

Rather than allow the loss against Cody overwhelm them, the Blazers returned to the court for the third-place game against Wheatland on Saturday, determined to prove their grit.

“We wiped it clean (after Cody),” senior Mac Hibben said. “A bad game doesn’t define us. We just look forward to the next game.”

The history between Torrington and Wheatland runs deep, especially this winter with each game between the rivals coming down to the wire.

“We all knew going in (to the third-place game at state) that it was Wheatland and that is always a big one,” senior Ryan Moorehouse said. “Even if a game against Wheatland technically means nothing, it always means something to us.”

The Blazers came out fast and furious in the first quarter against Wheatland, netting 16 points while a tenacious Torrington defense held Wheatland to six.

“(Wheatland) had two pretty good players,” junior Landre Greiman said. “We knew that they were streaky scorers but if we could get our offense rolling and shut down their two leading scorers, we were going to have a pretty good day.”

Torrington also adjusted its strategy to Wheatland’s deliberate and clock-eating possessions.

“We knew (Wheatland) likes to flip stall ball games,” Greiman added. “We didn’t rush anything. We knew if we rushed our shot, they were going to take up 45 seconds on the clock and waste a couple of possessions for us. We just had to find our shots and execute those.”

“Nothing forced,” Hibben said. “Just get good looks – five or 10 shots – that’s all it took.”

The Bulldogs attempted to close the deficit in the second half, making it a one-possession game with 2:50 remaining on the clock.

“Wheatland does not always come out the hottest in the first half but in the second, they always find a way to come back,” sophomore Julian Stromski said. 

Taking possession, the Blazers went on a six-point run in the final two minutes of regulation, including perfect shooting from the free-throw line by Hibben and Stromski.

“It was a competitive game up until the end,” senior Weston Dyer said. “With about 1:30 left, we knew we had to protect the ball, not force anything and knock down free throws to secure the game.”

The final buzzer sounded with the Blazers up, 47-39, and in possession of the 3A third-place trophy.

“We just got it together (against Wheatland), kept our heads and finished strong,” Hibben said. “The state experience was electric. None of us had really been able to experience it before. Our sophomore year, we went zero and two, so just being able to come in and win a couple of games, make it to day three and just really feel the atmosphere of state basketball – it was incredible.”

Battling back

Torrington’s ability to battle back from a tough loss at state and clinch a win was representative of the team’s grit throughout the season. The Blazers came together to capture the 3A East regional title after going in as the No. 5 seed.

“Everyone doubted us at the beginning of the year,” Greiman said. “Nobody really believed in us. We were at the bottom of 3A. We came into the season knowing we had something to prove. We went into the regional champion as the five seed but that didn’t matter because we came out on top.”

The Blazers steadily built up their confidence as the season progressed.

“We knew we could play,” Hibben noted. “We knew we were the best team out there – we could go out and beat anybody on any given night. It just came down to putting our minds to it – play balls to the wall and just get it done.”

Moorehouse credited the Blazers’ success on the team’s strong chemistry.

“It was nice having a group of players that was so tight, especially this being our senior year for some of us,” Moorehouse added. “Everything we did was together. That helped us on the court a ton – just being so tight as a group and having a lot of fun.”

Stromski and Dyer agreed.

“Being one of the youngest (players) on the starting lineup, it was cool to learn from everyone, especially the seniors, this year,” Stromski said. 

“I moved here (to Torrington) last year and I wasn’t sure how it was going to go,” Dyer added. “I met these guys and we had a great bond and connection. We had a great season. Love them.”

Mountain View

The Torrington offense set the pace in the first quarter against Mountain View, outscoring the Buffalos, 10-2. 

Greiman netted four points in the first eight minutes of regulation while Hibben and Stromski each contributed a bucket and Moorehouse went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.

The Blazers won the second quarter, 17-10, to lead at half, 27-12.

Hibben led Torrington in scoring in the second with six points while Dyer netted four and Greiman three. Moorehouse tossed in a jumper and senior Brayden Hime scored from inside the perimeter.

Torrington returned to the court to top Mountain View in scoring in the third quarter, 13-11, anchored by eight points from Stromski.

Mountain View topped Torrington in scoring, 14-12, in the fourth, but the effort fell short.

Stromski led the Blazers in scoring against Mountain View with 20 points. Hibben collected 10 points, Greiman nine, Dyer seven, Moorehouse four and Hime two.

On the boards, Hibben pulled down seven rebounds. Greiman delivered two assists and Hibben and Greiman both picked up two steals. Greiman, Moorehouse and junior Kaleb Booth each reached up for one block.

Wheatland

The Blazers dominated the first quarter of the third-place game against Wheatland on Saturday with Torrington topping the Bulldogs on the scoreboard, 16-6.

Hibben drained a trey and scored a trio of close-range shots. Stromski knocked down a 3-pointer and a jumper while Moorehouse scored a pair of free throws. On defense, Moorehouse and Hibben both picked up steals.

Wheatland responded with an 11-9 run in the second quarter but Torrington remained ahead, 25-17, at halftime.

The Blazers hit the ground running in the third quarter, tallying 13 points while holding the Bulldogs to nine. Greiman lined up for an inside shot and went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line. Stromski and Hibben both scored on fastbreaks.

Wheatland went on a 10-point run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to close Torrington’s lead to a single possession, 38-36, at 5:45.

Hibben nailed a trey and the Blazers pulled back up by five points, 41-36.

Wheatland answered back with a 3-pointer, making it a one-possession game with Torrington ahead, 41-39, at 2:50.

Hibben snatched a steal and scored on a fastbreak before pulling down a defensive rebound.

Stromski took possession and scored from inside the perimeter before forcing a turnover on Wheatland’s ensuing possession with a steal. Stromski scored another close-range shot on a fastbreak.

Hibben rebounded a missed shot by Wheatland with seconds remaining on the clock and the Blazers closed out the game in control of the court and the scoreboard.

A memorable season

Coach Logan Barker reflected on his final season at the helm of the  boys’ basketball program.

“I could not have asked for a better group of young men to conclude my high school coaching career with,” Barker said. “From day one, we embraced the challenges ahead, knowing that many outside our program had low expectations for what we could achieve.”

The team set a goal to compete at a championship level.

“We outlined what excellence should look like, sound like and feel like – not just on the court but in our practices, locker room and even our bus rides,” Barker added. “These expectations became our foundation and the players committed to them wholeheartedly.”

The high standards set by the Blazers pushed the players to grow “beyond what they thought possible,” Barker continued.

“Even through early season learning curves, they never wavered in their belief that they would be playing their best basketball in March and they did,” Barker said. “Their grit, determination and unwavering commitment to each other was a blessing to watch.

“I hope our community recognizes the heart and perseverance these young men displayed from November to March,” Barker remarked. “Their journey is far from over and I have no doubt they will continue to make Torrington proud. I look forward to cheering them on in years to come. How ‘bout them Blazers!”