Routt's Mossman hits 2,000 points as team advances to WIT final

Bryson Mossman reached the 2,000-career-point milestone and paced Routt High School to a 62-50 victory over Brown County in the Winchester Invitational semifinal at the Bluffs on Jan. 16. Mossman finished with 24 points and teammate Brady Turner added 22 as Routt took control with a dominant third quarter, outscoring Brown County 23-13.

Routt’s late offense included timely three-pointers, notably step-back threes by Mossman that pushed him past the 2,000 mark and helped seal the win. The semifinal victory sent Routt to the WIT championship game and offered redemption of sorts after the teams met in a regional matchup last season that ended in a loss for Routt.

Coach Will Whalen and players emphasized the team’s aggressiveness and defensive adjustments as keys to the win. Routt’s ability to flip momentum in the third quarter — tightening defense, forcing turnovers and converting on open looks — separated the teams down the stretch. Brown County struggled to match Routt’s rhythm after halftime, allowing the Bluffs crowd to build energy behind the home team.

For Morgan County, the game mattered beyond the box score. Milestones like Mossman’s carry social weight in a county where high school sports act as a common gathering point and source of community identity. The win is likely to lift spirits at Routt High and among families who follow the Rams, while also drawing attention from younger athletes who look to local stars as role models.

There are also public health and equity dimensions tied to seasons like this. High school athletics promote physical activity and social connections that benefit students’ mental and physical well-being, and community support helps sustain coaching, training and safety programs. At the same time, sustained success highlights the need to ensure all Morgan County schools have equitable access to facilities, certified trainers and concussion protocols so athletes across the county can compete safely and fairly.

Routt now prepares for the WIT championship, with the community watching to see whether Mossman and his teammates can carry this momentum through the title game. Beyond the outcome, the semifinal was a reminder of how local sports can galvanize a town, spotlight young talent and underscore the importance of investing in healthy, safe opportunities for all student athletes.