Remarkable season ends

Perhaps it was fitting that five seniors--Katelin Cole, Sarah Mahr, Rachel Petik, Abbi Porter and Cody Rowley--started for the Class B District 6 Champion Red Raiders.

Though the Cinderella slipper didn't quite fit in the end, Sidney and their five seniors finished the season off in style Thursday morning at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena in the 2014 NSAA Girls Basketball Championships.

Ultimately No. 8 Sidney came up short, by a 65-44 count to the top rated Class B team in the state, the Grand Island Northwest Vikings.

The Sidney players showed plenty of emotion after the game, but it was more about the end of a journey than the end of a basketball season.

"We're happy we were here," said Porter. "This was what we worked for all season and we made it happen."

The Raiders ended their season with a mark of 17-8 and came into the championships after having won eight of nine games. After bidding farewell to six seniors from last year's team and struggling with consistency early in the season, the Raiders turned themselves into a district champion.

"It was a work in progress," said Head Coach Tyler Shaw. "With six leaders having been lost from last year, these players had to find out where they fit in. It took time. I'm proud to be their coach. I love them all dearly. They all worked so hard. They're just all good humans."

As for the action on the court the Vikings were a big and talented group that took the lead early and never yielded. Though Northwest pulled away, the Raiders continued work at full steam, as evidenced by several battles for loose balls and the hustle back on every defensive set.

Northwest jumped out of the starting gate and took a 6-0 lead before Rowley returned an offensive rebound through the iron.

Despite a slow start Mahr quickly discovered how she could attack the Vikings defense. She drove to the basket with consistency, eventually leading the team with 19 points.

But when the first horn sounded, the Vikes held a 13-4 advantage.

Mahr, however, continued to attack. In the second quarter her quick and powerful moves to the basket accounted for a pair of layups and three trips to the foul line. The senior guard ended up scoring the Raiders first 6 points of the second quarter. Mahr's string was only broken when her sophomore sister, Emily, sank a pair of free throws.

Though the Raiders offense picked up, Northwest never relented. Sidney continued to play catchup as the Vikings hit on three treys in the second period. Late in the stanza, Cole disturbed the twine from long range for Sidney's first three.

By halftime Northwest had staked itself to a 35-18 lead.

"They just have a lot of good shooters," said Sarah Mahr. "They don't ever seem to miss."

The Vikings best shooter just might be McKenzie Brown (25 points). She followed a Porter hoop to open the third quarter with Northwest's next 9 points. She was only interrupted by a Rowley free throw. Brown ultimately scored 11 points in the frame.

But Mahr continued her drives and converted four foul shots in as many tries. She also hit a field goal. Yet the scoreboard after three periods had Grand Island in front 50-31.

Porter again opened the Sidney scoring in the final quarter sinking one after a sharp pass from Rowley. But the Vikings went on an 11-0 run before the Raiders were again able to answer back.

This time Sidney followed up, too, putting together a 6-0 burst started by another Porter hoop. The senior center drained a mid-range jumper from the right side. She was then supported by baskets from Mahr and Petik.

The Raiders ended up scoring 9 of the games final 11 points. Vanessa Riley picked up three of the final net stretchers by twice hitting the front end of a pair of one-and-ones.

It was a reminder of a 2013-14 squad that never backed off.

"It's taken a lot of hard work and I'm just really proud of this team," said Rowley. "We all love each other."

Perhaps most fitting of all is that every one of Sidney seniors scored in the game. Mahr's 19 points were followed by 6 from Porter, 5 from Cole and Rowley and 2 by Petik. Underclassmen scorers included Riley with 3 and 2 each from Rosenbaum and Emily Mahr.

The season ended on the polished floor of Pinnacle Bank Arena. But it was certainly the proper place for this Raiders squad to finish.

Sidney 4 14 13 13 - 44

Northwest 13 22 15 15 - 65

Raiders Scoring

Sarah Mahr 19

Abbi Porter 6

Cody Rowley 5

Katelin Cole 5

Vanessa Riley 3

Rachel Petik 2

Savanna Rosenbaum 2

Emily Mahr 2