Pair who have known each other since kindergarten-but separated for high school-reunited for Wyoming Coaches Association All-Star Basketball Game in Casper
Gage Bartlett, left, and Wyatt Cox pose for the camera.
Encampment Tiger Wyatt Cox goes in for a layup during the game against Wyoming North on July 21.
Saratoga Panther Gage Bartlett, member of the Wyoming South All-Star team, works the ball downcourt during the All-Star Boys Basketball game.
Wyatt Cox and Gage Bartlett have known each other since kindergarten, which is something that is not uncommon in an area like the Platte Valley. For the first two years of high school, both Cox and Bartlett played for the Encampment Tigers basketball team. When they entered their junior year, however, they went from teammates to competitors after Bartlett moved to Saratoga and began playing for the Saratoga Panthers.
For Cox and Bartlett, their senior year was filled with memorable achievements. Both young men scored over 1,000 points during their high school career, passing the thousandth point just last school year. Cox, who had made it a goal to complete a slam dunk his final year in school, did so at his last home game against the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners.
The two seniors also finished the basketball season being nominated All-State by the Wyoming Coaches Association. Bartlett made the original list and was selected to play for the South Wyoming team while Cox was on the reserve list. Shortly after Independence Day, however, Cox was informed that one of the players on the original list would be unable to play.
"My coach called me, because he got a call from one of the head guys, so he called me and asked me if I wanted to play in it (the Wyoming Coaches Association All-State Boys Basketball game)," said Cox.
Cox called Bartlett and asked him about the competition.
"He called me on the phone a couple weeks back, he was thinking about playing in the game," said Bartlett.
Ultimately, Cox made the decision to play and represent Encampment on the South Wyoming team alongside Bartlett, who represented Saratoga. The teammates turned competitors became teammates once again on July 21 at the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym at Casper College for the final game of their high school career.
"It was fun, kind of like old times again. It was a special moment. It was nice to be able to finish with him," Cox said.
"I was really excited to get the chance to play with him, again," Bartlett said.
Both graduates stated that they wouldn't have been able to play in the All-State game if it hadn't been for the support of family and friends.
"I'd like to thank the coach, Jake Johnston, and my family and all the supporters I've had over the years," said Cox.
"My family, they've been pushing me. My dad opens the weight room every night and lets me go in there," said Bartlett. "My coaches for pushing me and getting me to where I can play at that level."
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