SCOTTSBLUFF - The Sidney Lady Raiders’ run through the Western Conference Tournament came to an end Saturday night with a loss in the championship game at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff.

Sidney earned their spot in the title game with a hard-fought 62-52 win over rival Scottsbluff in Friday’s semifinal, then fell to Class B No. 4 Gretna East 63-37 in Saturday’s title game.

In the semifinal, Sidney (13-3) and Scottsbluff (9-7) battled through three tightly contested quarters. Neither team led by more than seven points, and the Lady Raiders carried a slim 45-43 advantage into the fourth period.

The game was tied at 50-50 with three minutes remaining before Sidney closed strong at the free-throw line. The Lady Raiders went on a decisive 12-2 run down the stretch, knocking down seven of eight free throws to put the game away.

Laramey Misegadis led Sidney with 17 points, while Reagan Nesbitt recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Ava Reed paced the Bearcats with 17 points, and Addy Bowlin added 16.

Saturday’s championship matchup between Class B No. 5 Sidney and No. 4 Gretna East did not live up to the anticipated hype of a potential state tournament preview.

Sidney led briefly at 4-3 early, but Gretna East responded with a 16-6 run to seize control and take a 19-10 lead after one quarter. The Griffins’ pressure defense forced six Sidney turnovers in the second quarter, holding the Lady Raiders to just two field goals and seven points as Gretna East built a 35-17 halftime advantage.

Sidney attempted to rally in the third period as four different Lady Raiders knocked down three-pointers, but Gretna East junior guard Sophia Lindsey scored seven of her game-high 15 points in the quarter to extend the lead to 52-29.

The Griffins maintained their momentum in the fourth quarter and pulled away for the 63-37 win.
Jordan Schnell led Sidney with 10 points. Gretna East improved to 13-5 behind Lindsey’s 15 points, while Madi Shelburne added 12.

Sidney (13-4) returns to action Thursday with a 5:30 p.m. road matchup at Gering (7-11). The game can be heard live on 1340 AM / 95.7 FM Cheyenne County Country, online at thebigboy987.com, or on the News Channel Nebraska app.

Red Raiders roll to third in Western Conference Tournament

SCOTTSBLUFF - The Sidney Red Raiders bounced back from a semifinal loss with a dominant win in the third-place game to finish the Western Conference Tournament strong at Western Nebraska Community College.

Sidney (5-12) ran into a hot-shooting Scottsbluff Bearcats team in Friday’s semifinal, falling 77-61. The Red Raiders struck first, taking an 11-9 lead on a Kash Knobbe three-pointer just over three minutes into the game.

Scottsbluff hit five of seven three-point attempts in the opening period and closed the quarter on a 14-1 run to take a 23-12 advantage. Sidney cut the deficit to 25-15 early in the second quarter but was unable to get any closer as the Bearcats continued to shoot efficiently.

Scottsbluff shot 68 percent from the floor in the first half to build a 42-25 lead at the break. Sidney outscored the Bearcats in the second half and outrebounded Scottsbluff 34-19 for the game, but the early hole proved too much to overcome.

Four Red Raiders finished in double figures, led by Alek Doty and Keian Kaiser with 17 points each. Kale Kaiser added 14 points, while Knobbe chipped in 13.

Sidney responded emphatically in Saturday’s third-place game, rolling past Gering 73-35.

The Red Raiders jumped out quickly, scoring the first 11 points of the game before Gering got on the board on a Deakon Tuttle three-pointer with 4:38 remaining in the opening quarter. The Bulldogs trimmed the margin with a 13-3 run to pull within 18-13 at the end of the first period.

Sidney took control from there, holding Gering to single-digit scoring in each of the final three quarters and carrying a 33-22 lead into halftime. Six different Red Raiders scored in the third quarter as Sidney poured in 26 points to open up a commanding 59-29 advantage.

With reserves on the floor, Sidney triggered the 40-point running clock with 1:06 remaining when Campbell Shoemaker knocked down a three-pointer to make it 73-33.

Doty led Sidney with 18 points, while Knobbe and Kale Kaiser each added 13. Gering fell to 9-8 and was paced by Ryland Ray with 12 points.

Sidney and Gering will meet again Thursday night in Gering, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard live on 1340 AM / 95.7 FM Cheyenne County Country, online at thebigboy987.com, or on the News Channel Nebraska app.