Rattlers split in Valley

This past weekend the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) High School basketball team come to the Valley and played Encampment and Saratoga. The results were mixed.

When the Rattlers faced Encampment, the game went in favor of LSRV 56 to 41.

"Encampment stayed close with us sometimes and then we would have some runs," LSRV head coach Jack Cobb said. "We had some good moments, but then there were moments that were not so good."

Cobb said beating Encampment was a total team win with all players contributing.

"It was a game where we made a good run in the beginning and then slacked off," Cobb said. "Brayden Barkhurst hit a couple key shots for them and he played really well for them and got them back in the game. It was only a two or three point lead at halftime."

The Rattlers came back out in the second half and opened up the game in LSRV's favor.

"I was glad to get the win because it was against a good team, but I wasn't entirely happy with how we played."

He was hoping the team would play better against the Saratoga Panthers who were undefeated. 

"We got out to a good start, scoring right away, and Saratoga answered but it felt like we were right in it,"  Cobb said. "Then their player Finn Rosleth started hitting shots. I have been telling others that this kid is starting to really fit in and know his role when he comes off the bench. He is an instant offense. Off the bench in 10 seconds he hit a three."

Cobb said one minute the Rattlers were playing competitively to the Panthers and then in a matter of a few minutes, Saratoga started hitting threes.

"It was not just the Bartletts (Grady and Grant) that were doing this. Different players were hitting their shots for Saratoga and the next thing you know, they were ahead 12 or 14 points," Cobb recalled. "After that, it just sort of got away from us and we were just battling all the time to try and catch up."

According to Cobb, the Panthers played strong, physical basketball the first half and the Rattlers didn't match it.

"On the defensive side we backed off, and they took advantage of that," Cobb said. "You don't want to fall behind on a team like Saratoga."

Cobb said Saratoga is playing very good basketball at this point in the season.

"They are playing with confidence and they have all the pieces for a good team," Cobb said. "So my hats off to them. There is a reason they are number one right now."

Saratoga won 56 to 40.

"We had our moments this weekend, but we had our lack of moments too," Cobb said. "Friday night we played well against Encampment, and other times we didn't.

Cobb said the Rattlers are facing the gauntlet in the coming week, facing two 2A Colorado teams and one 3A Colorado team.

"Those will be physical games and we will have to be prepared to play this type of game," Cobb said. "We will see how it all plays out."

Cobb said after the Colorado games, the Rattlers will face Farson-Eden and Cokeville.

"We will play seven games in 11 days," Cobb said. "I think we will be up for it."