Sidney uses Hall of Fame contest to test team's depth

In a final tune up before the real action begins on Thursday, the Sidney Red Raiders girls basketball team took on Class A North Platte Monday night in an annual game to benefit the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

While the Raiders starters played the Bulldogs nearly even for a little over a half, the eastern invaders pulled away in second half for a 45-23 victory at Cabela's Athletic Facility. Head Coach Tyler Shaw pulled his last starter from the game in the third quarter while the issue was still in doubt.

"This was an opportunity for us to see different players and put some people in different places to see what we have going into the Western Conference," said Shaw. "One thing I wanted to find out was who I could swap for who if, say, a key player were to get in foul trouble or have to come out for some reason."

Shaw will take his lessons to the Sidney floor for real on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. On that night the Raiders take on Omaha Skutt Catholic in the Western Conference Invitational Tournament .

Chadron, Alliance, Gering, Scottsbluff, MItchell and Torrington, Wyo, will also be participating.

The tournament will be played over three days and conclude at WNCC in Scottsbluff on Saturday.

Cody Rowley got the exhibition off to a fast start as she scored the first two buckets of the game - both on assists from Sarah Mahr. North Platte, however, shortly unveiled their talented guard, Allison Sawyer, who answered Rowley with two consecutive scores of her own. Though Maddi Stafford's driving layup gave the Raiders their final lead of the game at 6-4, the contest remained close throughout the opening half.

Sawyer gave the Dawgs the advantage for good with a three-pointer from the left side in the game's fourth minute. Sawyer's downtown bucket began a 7-0 run for North Platte to end the first frame.

"We didn't all start last year so it's a good chance to see how we all fit together," said senior Katelin Cole. "But we've all been playing together since we were little kids. We all know each other really well."

The Raiders pulled together and continued to keep the game close throughout the remainder of the first half. Several times Sidney was able to close within two points in the second quarter, but could never get any closer. Mahr sank two free throws to open the second eight minutes to make it 10-8, Abbi Porter a layup for 12-10 and Ashley Stafford dropped a free throw for 16-14.

Not long into the second half, however, the Raiders reached deeper into their bench while the Bulldogs stood pat with many of their starters. Sawyer, Sally Hengen and Madalynn Doughty did most of the damage for North Platte as the visitors outscored Sidney 15-4 in the third quarter. By the end of the first 24 minutes the Bulldogs held a 33-18 advantage.

"We did well really. This was an opportunity for us to find out how we would all fit into our roles and tell us what we need to work on," said Mahr who led Sidney in scoring with 6 points. "I think we'll need to work on our ball handling and be more aggressive but we'll be fine for Thursday."

North Platte pressed its experience advantage in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Raiders 12-5. Doughty, who started the game, scored 7 points for North Platte in the final five minutes.

Girls Basketball

North Platte 45

Sidney 23