Second-half defense sparks Raiders to victory

ALLIANCE — A little persistence goes a long way. Just ask Sidney High School’s boys basketball team.

With its offense struggling to reach halftime Thursday night, the Red Raiders used their defense to keep host Alliance in check at intermission by way of a 19-17 deficit. In the third period, Erik Kohl’s club put everything together en route to a 45-36 Western Conference road victory.

Ignited by pressure defense and a rapid-fire transition game, Sidney (3-2, 1-1) wiped out a six-point Bulldogs lead by going on a 19-3 run to close out the quarter.

The Raiders defended Alliance shots at every turn in the third quarter, and forcing turnovers was another big key.

Sidney tied the game at 27-all on Casey Mabey’s drive off the right side, and Logan Lewis gave the SHS the lead for good when he scored off a dazzling no-look, over-the-shoulder pass with 3:54 left in the period. Lane Harvey split defenders for an easy layup and Mabey buried a 3-point shot off the left wing that put Sidney in control.

“We definitely won the game, hands down, because of our defense,” Kohl said. “We were able to get some easy looks in the second half. We forced turnovers, forced bad shot selections and were able to advance the ball and get some easy layups.

“In the first half, our defense was okay, but in the third quarter we denied and they struggled to get into their offensive sets. They got shots they wanted in the first half, but not the second half,” Kohl added.

Lewis closed the third period with a steal and a layup that gave the Raiders a 38-28 lead.

“In the first half we didn’t play well, but we decided we weren’t going to get away from what we believe in,” Kohl said, “and just like that, we’re up 12 points. We have to have the mindset of defending, and allow the offense catch up.”

Sidney had trouble connecting with its outside shooting in the first half, as Alliance was able to hang close and eventually take a narrow halftime lead.

Despite virtually limping to intermission, SHS stayed cool, calm and collected, and used its second-half defense and Mabey’s presence inside to get going.

Mabey was called for two offensive fouls in the first half, but bounced back in the third period to score nine of his game-high 13 points. Harvey added 10 points, Ehler eight and Lewis and Sam Arterburn both scored six.

“We’re going to have a lot of games where we have adversity, and it’s how we respond to the adversity that will make the difference,” Kohl said. We have to push the ball, rebound and play defense is what makes us a great team as opposed to a good team.”

Senior guard Isaac Burnham led Alliance (3-3, 0-2) with 11 points and Trevor Kamerzell tossed in seven.

Sidney entertains Perkins County this evening in a final tuneup prior to hosting the Cabela’s Holiday Tournament next weekend.

Sidney 45, Alliance 36

SHS 8 9 21 7—45

Alliance 8 11 9 9—36

SHS (3-2, 1-1)

Mabey 6 0-0 13, Harvey 4 1-1 10, Vowers 0 1-2 1, Ehler 3 2-2 8, Lewis 2 2-4 6, Arterburn 3 0-0 6, Rosenbaum 0 1-2 1. Totals 18 7-11 45

ALLIANCE (3-3, 0-2)

Remick 2 0-0 4, Burnham 4 3-8 11, Matulka 3 1-2 7, Kamerzell 3 0-0 7, SBuBray 2 0-0 4, ADuBray 1 0-0 3. Totals 15 4-10 36

3-point field goals: SHS 2 (Mabey, Harvey), Alliance 2 (Kamerzell, A.DuBray). Team fouls: SHS 13, Alliance 11. Technical foul: Kamerzell