Saratoga ballers earn All-State and Conference Honors

With the 2023/2024 basketball season over, the Wyoming Coaches Association has presented players across the state with All-Conference and All-State Honors. Three students—Finn Rolseth, Fisher Williams and Rhiwan Williams—were on that list.

Rolseth and Fischer Williams have finished their final season positively with both receiving All-State Honors. Rolseth is best remembered for his clinching performance against the Southwest Cyclones in the state quarter-finals when he made the 3-point winning shot which helped Saratoga advance to the state semi-finals. He said all the hard work he put in has paid off.

“I am grateful for winning All-State. and I put in a lot of time in the gym over the summer, “ Rolseth said. “It also feels good to be recognized by all of 1A but being All-State does not mean much to me. It’s more of the team aspect that is important to me but it is great to win that honor and I thank my entire team for that.”

Rolseth said when he first came to Saratoga he was mentored by last year’s seniors, Grady and Grant Bartlett, who helped him to become a better player. Rolseth said the Bartlett twins taught him a lot.

“The Bartlett twins helped me out a lot on court vision and to try to see the floor and space it,” Rolseth said. “That was something I struggled on and worked with over the summer. I saw how the Bartlett twins moved the ball and how they pass so I knew that I had to work on that over the summer.”

Rotseth gave special thanks to Saratoga Panthers Head Coach Jason Williams and Assistant Coach Joe Johnston for making him both a better player and leader.

“They are the best coaches that I ever had,” Rosleth said. “I get a lot of support from them and they coach me to be a player and a leader and never tell me what to do”.

Williams said it was great to be recognized for his accomplishment but thanked his teammates He said it was his teammates who made it all possible for him to achieve All-State honors.

“This is a personal award to me but it also feels good to be All-State and to be on a team that was competing for a state championship,” Williams said. “I think we stood out as a team and it’s nice to win this award but most importantly being part of a team that got a shot at winning a state championship.”

Williams said this would not have been possible without his teammates. He said his All-State honors are just not about him but the entire team, who helped him make the big plays.

“The entire team put me in the position to pass the ball to me and Finn cleared off the floor becoming an offensive threat,” Williams said. “When you win a personal award on a team that competed for a state championship it symbolizes how successful the entire team is and individually you stand out because your team put you in that spot.”

Williams and Rolseth said they are grateful for the great leadership of the coaching staff. They both credit coaches Jason Williams and Joe Johnston’s amazing success in getting the program close to fifty wins in two years. Despite the loss in the state championship, Williams and Rolseth agree the biggest highlight of the season was beating Cokeville to advance to the state championship, and to them, that is bigger than winning individual honors.

Coach Williams said that he is beyond proud of Fischer and Finn’s accomplishments. He siad they work hard all year for this accheviment and it make him proud to be their coach.

“Fischer and Finn receiving All-State nods is a very well deserved award and recognition for both of these young men,” Coach WIlliams said. “They have dedicated literally hundreds of hours of time in various gyms on their own and have truly become students of the game. They have put up tens of thousands of shots, while also working on their footwork, ball handling, and just general basketball IQ.”

Williams said that both Fischer and Finn set the example for others to follow. He said they demonstrate great leadership both on and off the court.

“They are leaders for the team,” Williams said. “Coaches and teams from around the state recognized their skill level, not only in the All-State voting, but also in the game plans we faced throughout the season. Fischer and Finn are great examples for the younger guys on the benefits of hard work and perseverance. I could not be more proud of them and their accomplishments. “

Saratoga Lady Panthers’ Rhiwan Williams also had a spectacular season, receiving 1A All-Conference honors. Two of the biggest highlights of the season for Williams was getting two wins against the Farson-Eden Lady Pronghorns and getting a triple-double of 25 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists against the North Park Lady Wild Cats.

“I am grateful for this honor but most importantly for my coaches who have supported and worked with me,” Williams said. “I also thank my teammates because they are the ones who build everyone up and give me the confidence I need. All the credit goes to my entire team because without them this would not have been possible for me.”

Williams said she credits Lady Panthers Head Coach Heather Bartlet and Assistant Coach Mandy Moon for bringing the best out of her. She said they helped her become a great player and student on and off the court.

“Both Coach Bartlet and Coach Moon have been so good to me and super supportive,” Williams said. “My main struggle was dealing with my confidence and not taking the ball enough when I should. so Whether I messed up or did well they kept on encouraging me to be aggressive and give it my all on the court.”

Williams said this was a goal of hers to win a top honor in basketball. She said it is a great honor for her and she shares this great success with her entire team who helped her get to where she is today.

Bartlett said Williams worked for this honor to be All-Conference.

“Rhiwan is super deserving of this all-conference honor,” Bartlett said. “She led our team in points, rebounds and assists. Rhiwan had multiple double-double games this year and one game against Walden that was a triple-double. Besides being a great basketball player Rhiwan is a great example to all of the girls on and off the court.”