The next gen of women's basketball is in the 1A Southwest

Women’s basketball, both in high school and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), is on the rise. Believe it or not it is catching the attention of those who follow sports especially those in the sports journalism world.

One of the many reasons is because of Iowa University Lady Hawkeyes point guard Caitin Clark, who has been taking the NCAA by storm. Clark has broken a record no one ever thought would ever be broken. She became the NCAA’s men’s and women’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing a 54 year old record held by LSU’s Pete Maravich (3,667 points). In her 130th career game against No. 2 Ohio State on March 3, 2024, she broke the record at 3,668 points.

Since then, Clark has made the national headlines in sports and has done many chemicals and advertising endorsements. But this is not just about Clark’s fame or notoriety, it’s about how her power of influence will encourage the next generation of women to play basketball.

Putting Clark’s historical record breaker aside, the message she is sending is if she can do it anyone can turn their dream into reality. The state of Wyoming already has great female athletes in high school basketball that could continue where Clark will leave off after her career in the NCAA is over with.

The 1A Southwest Varsity Girls Basketball indeed has that talent where any girl can turn the dreams into something big. The sky’s the limit for the 1A Southwest Varsity Girls division. The way I see it and because of the multi talent that 1A Southwest division has, you will see a lot of NCAA College recruiters who will be looking for the next Caitin Clark.

The 1A Southwest Girls Varsity Division as well as other divisions in Wyoming are going to be popular to watch and follow because of the amazing talent they have. The girls have proven that they, too, have just as much game as the guys do and they can be crowd pleasers each time they step on the court.

The 1A Southwest Girls Varsity Basketball has female athletes who know how to put their game on and have earned the respect that they deserve both on and off court. The Cokeville Lady Panthers and the Little Snake River Lady Rattlers are prime examples of being the powerhouse of their division. However, both the Encampment Lady Tigers and the Saratoga Lady Panthers are also on the rise to dominate the 1A Southwest Division come next fall. And of course do not count out the Farson-Eden Lady Pronghorns. They are a team that is rebuilding and expected to get better.

That is the beauty of the 1A Southwest Conference because anyone can beat anyone in that division. That is why I believe that the 1A Southwest Conference Varsity Girls Basketball is getting every Wyoming sports fan’s attention.

Clark will be in the WNBA draft this year and hopefully in the future you will see one of Wyoming’s best make it to Women’s NCAA Basketball or the WNBA. It might as well be someone from the 1A Southwest Conference Varsity Girls Basketball who will rise to fame.