Porter sets school record as Sidney downs Bulldogs

Fueled by a 12-0 run that spanned the first and second quarters, the Raiders turned back a strong Gering Bulldogs squad 39-31 Friday night at the Cabela's Athletic Facility.

Though the season has not yet reached its halfway point, Sidney's Abbi Porter set a new standard for blocks in a season, registering her 47th. During the 2010-11 campaign Majorie Keeton set the old mark of 46. Earlier this season Porter broke Keeton's single-game record by blocking 8.

"It feels pretty good to get the record. Blocking shots is definitely one of my biggest strengths in baketball," Porter said. "Getting this win is the big thing."

Additionally, Raiders Head Coach Tyler Shaw reached a personal milestone in the game by winning his 100th game.

"I was just happy we were able to play a solid four quarters," said Shaw who seemed more pleased with Porter's feat than with his. "She's does a very good job changing opponents shots and contesting shots. She's also done a really good job of getting rebounds lately."

The win over Gering gave Sidney an unblemished record (6-4, 4-0) in the district. Gering's record in District B6 play dropped to 2-1 and 7-5 overall.

In what was a defensive battle much of the first quarter, Sarah Mahr broke a 2-2 deadlock with 1:12 left by draining a three-point shot. Katelin Cole then helped Sidney score the first 9 points of the second quarter when she dropped in a three of her own.

Three Raiders two pointers followed the Mahr and Cole treys. Savanna Rosenbaum dropped in a short one after a nice pass from Rachel Petik underneath and then Porter hit a jumper. The final tally of the 12-point run came after a nice kick-out pass from Maddie Stafford who fed Mahr after drawing defenders with a hard charge to the basket. When the run concluded, Sidney held a 14-2 lead and never again looked back.

"(Gering) just won the Cabela's Tournament against some pretty good teams so we know they're good," said Cole. "One of the things we wanted to do was get their younger players to bring the ball up the floor and that helped."

With a turn-around jumper by Cody Rowley and a driving layup by Cole, Sidney established a 12-point lead at 18-6. In the final seconds of the half Gering's Savannah Walker reeled two points back in with a driving layup.

Cole scored the first two field goals of the second half for Sidney but the Raiders struggled in the middle portion of the third from the foul line. Rowley ended an 0-5 foul shooting streak near the end of the quarter. Stafford also lit the lamp with a swish from downtown.

Though Mahr opened the Sidney scoring in the final eight minutes by completing a three-point play, the Raiders and Bulldogs became engaged in a see-saw battle. It was an exchange the Raiders could afford, however, as they entered the final period with a 9-point advantage.

Stafford again found the bottom of the net from three-point land in the final quarter as the Raiders preserved an 8-point win.

"We lost to Gering last year in the last round of districts so it's nice to beat them," said Stafford.

Mahr led the Raiders scoring attack with 15 points. Cole and Rowley added 7 each and Stafford 6.

Girls Basketball

Sidney 39

Gering 31

Friday