My teammates push me to be the best I can be. They’ve seen me through so many different phases of my basketball career. They’ve been there for me through everything, and I really appreciate that.”

Senior Teryn Stokes

TORRINGTON – Torrington High School senior Teryn Stokes launched her basketball career playing with her sister in second grade before joining a team in fourth grade.

Basketball took time to grow on Stokes.

“(Basketball) did not click at first,” Stokes said. “I actually hated when my sister would say, ‘Let’s go play basketball.’”

Stokes stuck with the sport, though.

“In fifth grade, when I started to understand the game more, I really fell in love with basketball,” Stokes added. “The competitiveness, playing with my team, how exciting it can get – that’s when I knew I liked basketball. But it took me awhile.”

Stokes committed hours to improving her game in middle school and then high school, coming in to “shoot around” in open gym on top of the 14 hours a week already dedicated to practice, even showing up in the gym on a Sunday during a “light week.”

Stokes first started for the Lady Blazers as a sophomore, earning her first all-conference award and leading the state in the 3A division for rebounding. As a junior, Stokes garnered both all-conference and all-state accolades. 

On February 12, at a ceremony in the Willi Gym and surrounded by family, teammates and coaches, Stokes committed to continue her basketball career with the Chadron State College Lady Eagles.

Chadron felt like an instant match for the senior.

“Chadron is a really good school,” Stokes said. “I want to go into the medical field and they have a really good medical program. I felt at home on the campus and the (basketball) team gave me good vibes. It’s also close to home, so that was nice.”

Stokes is also following in the footsteps of her parents, both former college athletes.

“My parents told me about how close they got to their teammates and how fun it is,” Stokes noted. “I’m excited for that experience and playing with new people on a new team.”

Stokes will play for the Lady Eagles under the guidance of head coach Travis Brewster and assistant coaches Tyra Handberg and Katie Tornstrom.

“I’m excited to work for them,” Stokes said. 

Growing from an uncertain fourth grader with no experience in basketball to a confident leader on the court and a senior excelling at scoring and pulling down rebounds took time and effort. Stokes credits her parents and coaches for instilling in her a strong work ethic.

“My parents really push me to be my best every day – encouraging me to get in the gym,” Stokes said. “My coaches give me a lot of support and inspire me to reach all my dreams and goals.”

Sibling rivalry also helped.

“My siblings are really competitive, so they would make me want to be a better basketball player,” Stokes remarked.

At the end of the day, a love for the sport brought Stokes back to the gym year after year.

“That feeling I get during a game – the competitiveness of it – that feeling when everything is just clicking with your team and it’s fun basketball,” Stokes said. “I’ve played a lot of sports and there’s no other sport that gives you that feeling (like basketball). It’s a lot of work and a lot of time, but that feeling is what makes me want to keep playing.”

Stokes’ high school basketball career spanned dozens of games, but three stood out as particularly memorable. When Stokes was a freshman, the Lady Blazers squared off against the Pinedale Lady Wranglers at the state tournament in a consolation contest.

“We were playing Pinedale for sixth or seventh place and we beat them in overtime by one point,” Stokes said. “That was a big morale booster for us.”

During Stokes’ sophomore year, the Lady Blazers hosted regionals and found themselves on the court against rival Wheatland with a state berth up for grabs.

“Wheatland had beaten us in both preseason games by a lot,” Stokes recalled. “We had to play Wheatland at nine-o-clock in the morning. We were tired, but we came out and killed them.”

In 2024, Torrington defeated Wheatland, 35-30, to clinch the consolation trophy at state.

“We brought home hardware for the first time (from state) and that was really special,” Stokes said.

Stokes is a multi-sport athlete and competed for the Lady Blazers volleyball team and looks forward to throwing for the Torrington outdoor track team this spring. The senior is also a member of the National Honor Society, Torrington High School Student Council and participated in the FFA for three years.

Stokes is interested in going into the medical field and possibly studying to become a physician assistant, a nurse or an occupational therapist.

Stokes advised young basketball players just starting out in the sport to stick with it.

“In high school sports, it’s really easy to listen to what other students and other schools are saying about you,” Stokes added. “It’s really easy to get caught up in all-state or team rankings. You need to know that your one job is to go out there and play basketball and be there for your teammates. It’s important to not give up no matter what people are saying about you – to just go play basketball and have fun.”

Stokes thanked her family, friends, boyfriend and coaches for their support over the years. Relatives from across the region always send a text from afar wishing Stokes “good luck” or, “Go out there and play hard” before games.

The senior saved her biggest thanks for the other players on the Lady Blazers’ roster:

“My teammates push me to be the best I can be. They’ve seen me through so many different phases of my basketball career. They’ve been there for me through everything, and I really appreciate that.”