The Evanston High School boys’ basketball team opened the 2023-24 season against some tough competition, posting a 1-2 record at the Oil City Tip-Off Tournament in Casper last weekend.

The Red Devils opened the tourney Thursday against Natrona County, falling 51-43. Evanston followed that with a 64-44 loss to preseason No. 2 Laramie Friday, but bounced back Saturday with a 66-47 win over Cheyenne South to close out the tournament.

The Red Devils are back on the road this weekend at Rock Springs and Green River for the Flaming Gorge Classic Basketball Tournament.

Natrona County 51,

Red Devils 43

The Red Devils opened this year’s Oil City Tip-Off Thursday against the Mustangs, and controlled the action for much of the first half, holding a 22-19 lead at the break.

The wheels came off in the third quarter, however, as Natrona began making their shots, while the Red Devils couldn’t buy one. The Mustangs outscored Evanston 22-8 in the third quarter, then held off the visitors in the fourth for the 51-43 win.

Ryker Lind led the Red Devils with 13 points – including a pair of 3-pointers – to go along with four rebounds and two steals. Clayton Cook and Jay Hill finished with six points apiece, while Kai Barker and Cohen Morrow added five points and four points, respectively. Jordan Mendez also had four points, followed by Paul Baxter with three points and Drew Barker with two.

Kai Barker led the team in rebounds with seven, followed by Cook and Morrow with six each; Mendez grabbed five boards, and led the team with two assists.

The Red Devils shot 35% from the floor, compared to 40% for Natrona; Evanston shot 42% from the charity stripe, compared to 56% for the Mustangs. The Red Devils won the battle of the boards, 35-30.

Laramie 64,

Red Devils 44

Against the preseason No. 2 team in 4A Friday, the Red Devils hung with the Plainsmen for three hard-fought quarters, trailing 45-37 heading into the final frame.

Evanston ran out of steam in the fourth, with Laramie outscoring the upstart Red Devils 19-7 in the final frame to win 64-44.

Ryker Lind and Clayton Cook led the charge for the Red Devils with 11 points apiece; Cook also led the team with seven rebounds and four assists. Drew Barker finished with five points, followed by four points each from Cohen Morrow and Kai Barker. Jordan Mendez and Luke Robinette chipped in three points each, while Jay Hill rounded out the scoring with two; Mendez led the team in steals, with four.

The Red Devils shot 35% from the floor, compared to Laramnie’s 60%; both teams shot 50% from the free throw line. Evanston outrebounded the Plainsmen 25-23.

Red Devils 66,

Cheyenne South 47

The Red Devils closed out the Oil City Tip-Off Saturday in fine fashion, routing Cheyenne South 66-47 for their first win of the season.

Evanston opened the game on a 24-6 run, and led 36-23 at the break. A 25-9 run to start the second half proved to be more than South could handle, as the Red Devils cruised to the double-digit win.

Four Red Devils finished the game in double figures, led by Cohen Morrow, with 15 points. Jordan Mendez and Luke Robinette followed with 14 points apiece, with Robinette a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the arc. Jay Hill finished with 11 points – including three 3-pointers of his own – while Clayton Cook chipped in nine points. Kai Barker rounded out the scoring with three points.

Morrow and Cook led the team in rebounds with five apiece, while Cook and Robinette led the team in assists with four each.

The Red Devils shot an impressive 55% from the field, and 66% from the charity stripe, compared to south’s 43% and 62%. Evanston won the battle of the board, 26-19.