Future Buccaneer Stars Shine in MT-WY All-Star Game
Two Dawson Buccaneers signees represented the state of Montana last weekend in the Midland Roundtable Montana-Wyoming All-Star basketball game.
Damon Gros Ventre and Payton Sanders led the Montana team to two wins and extended the Treasure State’s winning streak to 20 games. On Friday night in Sheridan, Lodge Grass star Gros Ventre was the leading scorer with 22 points while Skyview’s Payton Sanders chipped in 13 points in the 103-76 victory. After a close first quarter, the Montana team broke it open in the second quarter with a 10-1 run capped by consecutive baskets by Gros Ventre, outscoring Wyoming 33-10 in the quarter to take a 56-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
In a bit of role reversal on Saturday night at Lockwood High School in Billings, the hometown star, Payton Sanders, led the way with 28 points while Gros Ventre added 8 in the 94-77 win. Montana jumped out to a big first quarter lead 14-0 and 20-2 before Wyoming fought back to make it close most of the way.
Over the weekend, Sanders and Gros Ventre combined for 71 points and were Montana’s leading scorers, along with Griz signee Rhett Reynolds.
“Payton and Damon have both had outstanding high school careers individually and leading their teams to success,” commented Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. “It’s fun to see them get an opportunity to play with the best in the state and represent us so well. Playing with and against good competition always makes you better. They had a great experience this past week.”
