It’s a dream come true – to come from a small school and pursue basketball in college”

Senior Brody Roberts

LINGLE – Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) senior Brody Roberts stepped onto the basketball court for the 1A state title game in Casper on March 8 with coaches and players he knew all his life.

“It was awesome to walk out in the state championship game,” Roberts recalled. “We got announced and I gave everybody a handshake. Then I went to the middle of the court and looked around. It was an amazing and blessed feeling to know people were there for you – people who watched you grow up. It’s an indescribable feeling.”

Roberts and his teammates battled the Upton Bobcats through three neck-and-neck quarters of the title game before LFL broke away to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

“My biggest moment was the third quarter – six seconds left and I hit the buzzer beater to go into the fourth quarter,” Roberts said. “It was a big momentum change. After that shot, I knew that there was no way we were going to lose.”

The Doggers came together in the fourth quarter and packed a defensive punch while the LFL offense outscored Upton, 17-10, to clinch a 41-32 victory and an historic state title.

The championship game was the icing on top of the cake for Roberts after an unprecedented and undefeated season with the Doggers. Roberts garnered 1A all-conference and all-state honors and was named the SEWAC player of the year. The senior also tallied his 1,000th career point with a “rim grazer” during the December 20 game against Hanna-Elk Mountain. He was selected to play at the Wyoming Coaches Association all-star game in Casper this summer as well.

Roberts will take his basketball career to the next level when he committed to play for the Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Lancers at a ceremony before the student body, coaches, EWC players and family on Wednesday, May 7.

“It’s a dream come true,” Roberts stated of the signing. “To come from a small school and pursue basketball in college – I know a lot of athletes dream about it but don’t get it done. It’s super cool to fulfil everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

Roberts visited several different schools, but felt drawn to EWC because of the team, culture and players. Before committing to EWC, he participated in several early morning practiceswith the Lancers at 5 a.m.

“I thought I would see the grumpiest part of the team but they were just open arms right away and the nicest people,” Roberts remarked.

Roberts is also excited to play for third-year head coach Bill Engel.

“The coach had very high standards (at practice),” Roberts said. “The way that he coached was a different perspective from how I’ve been coached.”

Roberts is already looking forward to playing college hoops.

“Everybody at the college level is who you are or ten times better,” Roberts added.

The senior hopes to follow in the footsteps of Casper College’s Abdul Bashir. Bashir got his start at the community college level before signing to play for NCAA Division I powerhouse Auburn University this spring.

Roberts commenced his basketball career at the tender age of six or seven when his father organized a youth league in Lingle. The team played at halftimes during Dogger varsity home basketball games.

A core group of players developed, including Roberts, Anthony Arnusch, Brady Cook, Ned Nelson, Elijah Hatch and Skyler Thomas.

“I’ve been playing with those guys forever – since we were little guys,” Roberts said.

The group did not develop into the Doggers’ starting lineup overnight.

“It got a little hard there for awhile when we were younger,” Roberts said. “We were knuckleheads.”

The team chemistry remained strong despite the ups and downs over the years. Roberts grew to love the team aspect of the sport.

“It’s you and four other guys out there,” Roberts said. “Throughout the years, those four other guys have been my best friends. It’s a heavy weight on your shoulders – you can’t let up for the other four guys who are out there busting their butts with you.”

Roberts followed his father and brother into the sport and basketball became a way to connect.

“If I needed to talk to my dad, I would ask him to go shoot,” Roberts said. “Midway through shooting, I’d talk to him about some pretty deep stuff.”

Roberts plans to study general business at EWC. The senior thanked the community, parents and fans who supported the group of basketball players as they grew from “knuckleheads” into a state championship team.

Roberts also expressed gratitude to his parents for their sacrifices and his brother for “being there whenever I needed him.” He also gave a shoutout to his coaches, grandparents and teachers.

Roberts ultimately gave “all glory to God” for his success and talents in basketball.

No goal is too big, Roberts advised young basketball players just starting out on their journey.

“Write down your goal on a piece of paper and put it where you see it every day,” Roberts added. “Nobody can take that goal away from you. You are the bearer of your own success. Just go out and get it.”