The Sundance (WY) varsity basketball team will host a tournament game against Burns (WY) today at 2:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Wyoming High School Basketball
Who: Burns vs Sundance
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 2:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Burns vs Sundance

As the Wyoming high school basketball season progresses, two teams are drawing attention: Burns and Sundance. While Burns is struggling to find consistency, Sundance is thriving, boasting a solid record and an impressive performance across multiple areas. This article compares the two teams’ current standings, performances, and individual highlights, offering insight into what has shaped their seasons so far.

Burns High School: Searching for Consistency

Burns has faced a challenging season thus far, with a 2-6 record overall, including a 2-3 performance at home and an unfortunate 0-3 record on the road. Their win percentage sits at a mere .250, reflecting difficulties in securing victories, especially away from their home court.

Scoring Breakdown:

• First Quarter (Q1): Burns averages only 6.0 points per game in the opening period, indicating they struggle to start strong.
• Second Quarter (Q2): The team improves marginally to 11.0 points per game.
• Third Quarter (Q3): They average 10.0 points, continuing their steady, albeit modest, scoring rhythm.
• Fourth Quarter (Q4): Burns averages 7.0 points in the final period, showcasing their inconsistency in closing games.
• Final Score: With an average of 42.9 points per game, Burns has struggled to score enough to keep up with opponents.

Key players for Burns include Shaw Martin, who leads the team with 13.3 points per game. He also contributes 5.1 rebounds, showing his versatility on both ends of the court. Bryce Hansen is another key player, with averages of 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game, providing some stability in playmaking and defense.

Despite these individual performances, Burns has faced stiff competition, including losses to teams like Tongue River, Pine Bluffs, and Wright. However, they did secure a dominant victory over Moorcroft, winning 68-39, which remains a bright spot in their season.

Sundance High School: A Team on the Rise

In contrast to Burns, Sundance has enjoyed a much more successful season. With a 7-2 record, including an impressive 6-1 at home, Sundance has proven themselves to be a force in Wyoming high school basketball. Their overall win percentage of .778 is a testament to their strong performances across the board.

Scoring Breakdown:

• First Quarter (Q1): Sundance starts strong with 13.0 points per game in the opening period.
• Second Quarter (Q2): The team continues to shine with 20.0 points per game, further distancing themselves from opponents.
• Third Quarter (Q3): They average 15.0 points, maintaining a solid offensive output.
• Fourth Quarter (Q4): The team closes games with an average of 11.0 points, showing resilience in the final period.
• Final Score: Sundance’s average of 57.2 points per game indicates a much higher offensive efficiency compared to Burns.

Key players for Sundance include Duggan Kriz and Bryce Hansen, who lead in both steals and assists, respectively. Sundance’s defensive capability is also highlighted by their impressive performance against teams like Newcastle, where they won 67-47. Their ability to stay competitive across all quarters is reflected in their well-rounded scoring distribution and defensive execution.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing Burns and Sundance through common opponents, Sundance holds a slight advantage. Both teams have faced off against schools like Tongue River, Moorcroft, Big Horn, Wright, and Pine Bluffs, but Sundance has generally fared better in these matchups. For example, Sundance is undefeated against Tongue River, while Burns has a 1-1 record against the same team.

Other common opponents include Moorcroft and Wright, where both teams secured wins, though Sundance had a better overall result in the games they played.

Key Takeaways

• Burns has been inconsistent, with a low scoring average and difficulty performing away from home. They will need to improve their first-quarter scoring and strengthen their road game to turn their season around.
• Sundance has shown dominance, particularly in their offensive execution, where they score more than 57 points per game. Their strong home court advantage and well-rounded team play have been key to their success.
• The player leadership on both teams has been notable, with Burns relying on Shaw Martin and Bryce Hansen, while Sundance has seen strong performances from players like Duggan Kriz and Bryce Hansen.

As the season continues, the contrast between these two teams is stark. While Burns remains in search of consistency, Sundance continues to build momentum and solidify their status as a top contender in Wyoming high school basketball.