Big Horn basketball players earn big accolades

LPHS Athletic Department

BIG SKY – Six Lone Peak High School basketball players were selected in March for the District 11/12C All-Conference Team. Sophomore Dasha Bough and senior Justin McKillop were named First Team All-Conference, and sophomore Luisa Locker, senior Trevor House, junior Tucker Hensley and sophomore Eddie Starz were named Second Team All-Conference.

To form the team, each of the district’s 22 coaches nominates players from their own teams, and a list of these players is reviewed during a coaches meeting at the district tournament. LPHS head coaches Nubia Allen and Al Malinowski had the opportunity to advocate for each of their nominees.

Each coach then compiles a list of the 22 players from other teams, and the players accrue points based on their relative positions on each list. The points are tallied, and the top 11 players are named First Team All–Conference, with the balance rounding out the second team.

“Our girls gained recognition throughout the season as a team to watch,” said Lady Big Horn Head Coach Nubia Allen. “We lost by only seven points in [the] district tournament to the eventual state champions, the Gardiner Lady Bruins. Our girls faced the most competitive district in the state this year and with the loss of only one senior, expectations are high for next season.”

Lady Big Horn Assistant Head Coach Connie Lunt says they’ve already set up open gym time for the returning basketball players, and have organized participation in off-season tournaments.

“The girls are hard working, and looking to improve skills and gain additional experience,” Lunt said.

The boys’ team this summer sees the departure of six seniors who have been leaders since the inception of the program.

“It was a great season and we accomplished a lot as a team,” Starz said. “Even though we have six seniors departing, I am looking ahead now to next season and the opportunities that will come with it.”

Dasha Bough

Justin McKillop PHOTOS BY JILL BOUGH