Encampment dealt narrow losses

The Encampment Tigers were dealt two homecoming heartbreakers this past week as they hosted two conference rivals. In both games, the Tigers appeared to have victory in their grasp until the final second.

On Friday, the Tigers hosted the Farson-Eden Pronghorns for an intense and low-scoring game. Then, on Saturday, Encampment hosted the Cokeville Panthers for another nail biter.

Tigers vs. Pronghorns

Just one week prior to entering Tiger Nation, the Pronghorns had suffered their first conference loss during their first conference game against the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Rattlers. Similarly, Encampment was dealt a loss by LSRV the day after they bit into Farson-Eden.

As the two teams battled it out in front of the Tiger’s hometown crowd, just a few points separated the score. At half-time, the Pronghorns were leading by 4 points with a score of 20-16.

Upon returning to the hardwood in the second half, Encampment sunk their claws into the court to show they wouldn’t easily be dispatched. As the the final quarter was winding down, the Tigers led Farson-Eden by a single point. In the remaining 45 seconds, however, the Pronghorns score 4 points to end the game in the lead with a score of 35-33.

Tigers vs. Panthers

Encampment didn’t have long to dwell on their loss. The following day, the Panthers traveled to the south end of the Valley. The night before, as Farson-Eden dealt a loss to the Tigers, Cokeville had handed Saratoga a similarly narrow loss.

Just as the night before, Encampment’s boys worked hard to control their court and attempted to ensure the visiting Panthers would not leave the Platte Valley with two wins. In the final seconds of the game, the Tigers scored a buzzer beater to push ahead of Cokeville following a rebound from the Panthers in the last 30 seconds.

What seemed a narrow win for Encampment, however, was reversed as the officials put two seconds back on the board. Even with that limited amount of time, it was all Cokeville needed to push ahead to win the game, 50-49.

Following their two losses this weekend, the Encampment Tigers are 4-5 for the season and 0-4 for conference play. 

The Tigers will host the Southeast Cyclone at 4 p.m. on January 28 and will be hosted by the LSRV Rattlers for a rematch at noon on January 29 in Baggs.