CASPER — For the second year in a row, the Evanston High School boys’ basketball team is headed to the 4A State Tournament in Casper, this time as a higher seed, courtesy of a 3-1 record at last weekend’s 4A West Regional Tourney in Rock S[rings.

With a 66-56 win over host Rock Springs, a 45-32 win over Green River and a thrilling 54-52 win over Star Valley in the 3rd-place game, the Red Devils are headed to State as the No. 3-seed out of the West; the only blemish on the weekend was a 62-35 loss to Natrona County in Friday’s semifinals.

Head coach Rob Watsabaugh’s crew will take on No. 2-seed Thunder Basin in Thursday’s opening round, scheduled to be played at Casper College.

“The Natrona County game was a little tough for us – we couldn’t find an offensive rhythm,” Watsabaugh said. “Credit to them for being a pretty tough and physical team. But you look at the other three games, going 3-1 – we were doing a lot of good things, you know, offensively and defensively, and team basketball more than anything. I think everyone contributed in ways that do show up in the stat sheet, and we’re very proud of that.”

The Red Devils will now turn their sights to the 4A State Tournament, with Thunder Basin waiting in the wings.

“Our mood is good, and we’re for the most part really healthy,” Watsabaugh said. “A little bit of sickness, but physically healthy. The state tournament is a different atmosphere, so we need to go into it with that focus of one possession at a time, one game at a time – just live in that moment of what we have to do to win the possession on either side of the ball.”

“As I get more familiar and the staff gets more familiar watching fill on Thunder Basin, we’ll come up with a game plan,” he added. “What can we limit, what can we capitalize on and just tweak a little bit here and there to come out and control the tempo, play the game that we want to on Thursday.”

Red Devils 66, Rock Springs 56

The Red Devils opened the tournament Thursday against host Rock Springs, jumping out to an 18-8 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers battled back in the second quarter, and by halftime had cut the lead to just two points, at 30-28.

The teams played a fairly even third quarter, then the Red Devils ramped up the tempo in the final frame, outscoring Rock Springs 22-18 over the game’s final eight minutes to secure a 66-56 win.

“I thought that we played much better defense, matching up with Rock Springs for the third time,” Watsabaugh said. “We honed in on just staying in front of the basketball, and making them take tough shots. We did that for the majority of the game, had some poise offensively, and got great shots. The culmination of those things coming together ended up as a 10-point win.”

Jordan Mendez led the charge for the Red Devils with 21 points, followed by Clayton Cook, who finished with 12 points, to go along with seven rebounds. Ryker Pace and Brooks Searle each tallied eight points, with Searle sinking both 3-pointers he attempted in the game. Ryker Lind and Jay Hill scored seven points apiece; Lind also grabbed 10 rebounds. Brenner Lym rounded out the scoring with three points.

Natrona County 62, Red Devils 35

Friday’s semifinal matchup against Natrona County was trouble from the start, with the Mustangs rolling to a 62-35 win.

“Natrona’s a tough team – they have some size, strength and athleticism that kind of gave us fits, trying to guard them and trying to score on them,” Watsabaugh said. “We just couldn’t get much going, and it kind of just got away from us. After the game, you have to kind of forget it, and just move your eyes forward. But it was a tough matchup for us – we couldn’t get some defensive stops in a row, and couldn’t really find a flow offensively.”

Red Devils 45, Green River 32

Saturday’s game against Green River would decide the final team out of the West to head to State, and as is usually the case when these two teams meet, it didn’t disappoint.

The Red Devils got off to a fast start, opening on a 12-3 run, and taking a 27-14 lead into the break. Green River was able to slow things down in the third, though the Red Devils still led 35-22 headed into the final frame; that was as close as the Wolves would get, as Evanston held on for the 45-32 win.

“We came out very well defensively against Green River,” Watsabaugh said. “They missed a couple shots as well, but I think they only had three points at the end of the first, if I’m not mistaken. So it was a good, solid defensive effort, and we found some rhythm offensively. We had the resiliency to fight through their defense; whatever they’re throwing at us, we still take some great shots and still play a solid defensive game. It was a good win to bounce back with, and we needed that one to get to where we wanted to go.”

Jordan Mendez paced the Red Devils with 12 points, followed by 11 points from Jay Hill. Clayton Cook finished with nine points and six rebounds, while Brooks Searle chipped in five points. Ryker Lind and Ryker Pace rounded out the scoring, with four points apiece.

Red Devils 54,

Star Valley 52

The Red Devils are always in search of a win against Star Valley that counts for something; Saturday’s 3rd-place game against the Braves proved to be just that opportunity.

Evanston again started fast, going on a 13-7 run to open the contest. Star Valley flipped the script in the second, outscoring the Red Devils 19-9, and taking a 26-22 lead into the break.

Evanston came out swinging in the third quarter, and regained the lead by the start of the fourth, 35-34. The Red Devils were one point better than Star Valley in the final frame, edging out their rivals 54-52.

Asked what worked in that game, Watsabaugh said the answer was simple.

“Team basketball,” he said. “We had some great defensive stops — we limited [Cooper] Lancaster to five points, and he averages close to 20. So that was kind of a big key there. We had some buckets in transition, which was an emphasis to just score early ­ it opens up a lot more for you offensively. And we controlled the tempo and did some things that we needed to come away with that win. I was super-proud of the boys for playing two games within a five-hour span. They showed up. They had energy when they could have just sat back and been content with already making it to state. But after losing to Natrona, we had to reset our goal as third place not just making it — we needed to grab that No. 3-seed. I thought our boys responded really well, and came out and took it.”

Three Red Devils finished the game in double figures, led by Jordan Mendez with 14 points, to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. Clayton Cook and Ryker Lind tallied 13 points apiece, with Cook recording a double-double, grabbing 10 boards; he also dished off four assists. Jay Hill finished with eight points – including two 3-pointers – while Brooks Searle, Ryker Pace and Brenner Lym rounded out the scoring, with two points apiece.