By: Shawn O’Brate
ETHETE – Over the past decade the Wyoming Indian Lady Chiefs have succeeded at every level in basketball on a consistent basis. They have won three out of four 2A State Championships, placing third last season in a “down” year that would be an achievement to anybody else.
One of the many players that helped lead many of those teams was Layla C’Bearing, brother to Vidale “Tuff” C’Bearing who has also had major success on the basketball court for the Wyoming Indian Chiefs team.
Layla C’Bearing enters her final season on the court for Head Coach Aleta Moss this year as a two-time champion and as a leader of a very experienced, strong, talented Lady Chiefs team that already has championship-caliber skill ready to make another push in Casper at the state tournament in March.
Although C’Bearing and Coach Moss’ attention is fully focused on the season at hand, beginning with their first practice on November 21 and their first games in early December, it has already been decided where she will strut her skills on the court after graduating in May.
On Tuesday, C’Bearing signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Central Wyoming College (CWC) for the Lady Rustlers and new Head Coach Layton Westmoreland.
C’Bearing comes into her senior year not only as a champion eager to return to the state title game, she is also on the National Honor Society that has served as a Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) and was selected as an All-Conference player in 2A last season.
She also had one of the best games in 2A last season when she put up 26 points against Tongue River, tied for the third-most points by any 2A girl in the 2021-22 season. She finished the season shooting 41% from the field and over 54% from the free throw line. She also had the second-most rebounds on the team (99) behind Dezireen C’Hair (200).
“Layla is a long, athletic wing that will be comfortable playing at our tempo,” CWC Coach Westmoreland said about C’Bearing. “She comes from a program that conditions very much the way we do, so we feel that she will transition very well physically as she builds up her skill sets as a college player.”
C’Bearing’s senior year will look to improve on her 7.8 points per game, five rebounds per game, and 2.7 steals per game but with her intention clear about her post-high school basketball career it’s worth watching to see just how much talent the Lady Rustlers have coming to their team next season.
Congratulations Layla and good luck this season and beyond!