All-Star girls engage in friendly civil war

Not since Grant and Lee signed a treaty at Appomattox Court House 149 years ago has civil war been so close to home.

But as the Blue and the Gray - or rather the Blue and the Red - did battle at Cougar Palace in Scottsbluff in the 20th Annual Panhandle Prep All-Star Basketball Game, three Sidney players suited up for the Blue while one stood in opposition.

With Sidney's Abbi Porter wearing the garb of the Red All-Stars and Raiders' Sarah Mahr, Katelin Cole and Cody Rowley parading their muskets for Blue, a confrontation was bound to occur. And it did. Fortunately for Porter, she didn't stand alone as among her nine other teammates were Creek Valley's talented duo of Jerry Straber and Summer Mueller.

In the end it was Red which took home the winners prize with a 61-56 come-from behind win. Mahr led all scorers with 15 points for Blue while Mitchell's Taylor Peters took home the MVP trophy. Peters scored most of her 11 points in the second half as Red secured the victory.

As for Rowley, she sustained a broken finger in a co-ed softball game two weeks ago. She had surgery a week later to have a pin inserted. While the injury kept her out of the game, she showed up anyway to root on her friends, new teammates and former teammate.

"It was difficult just to sit and watch but I really wanted to be here," said Rowley. "It was a lot of fun to be a part of."

While the dividing line between fun and competition was a fine one, there could be no doubt it wasn't all fun. In the second half with the game tied, friends and former teammates Mahr and Porter came together.

In a 56-56 game with 1:25 left to play, Mahr went in for a go-ahead score but had the ball slapped away by Porter. Exactly one minute later a similar scenario played itself out again.

"I felt kind of bad but even though it's fun it's also competitive," said Porter. "Afterwards I gave Sarah a pat on the back."

As for Mahr, who was arguably the best player on the floor during much of the game, she recognizes how strong a defensive force Porter is.

"Well, I pretty much knew she was going to try and block me," said Mahr with a big smile. "She's a great player and that's what she does best. That's why she has the school record (for blocks)."

Creek Valley's Mueller and Straber also found themselves on the scoresheet with Mueller netting 8 points and Straber 2. Mueller was a strong offensive force in the opening half as she hoped to dim the effectiveness of players like Mahr, Bailea Kerr (8 points) of Chadron and Katie O'Boyle (6) of Gering. Straber and Mueller both found themselves up against Mahr at different stretches throughout the game.

As if to add to the civil war theme, twin sisters Ashlea and Bailea Kerr also stood on opposites sides. While guarding each other much of the game, Bailea finished with 8 points for Blue while Ashlea netted 12 for Red.

The Blue team looked like it was much the best in the early going as it went out to a 26-10 lead. Mueller began the long comeback as her duece began a 6-0 run for Red midway through the first half.

"When we got here it was really friendly and fun during practices," said Mueller. "But once we took to the court it got really competitive. The whole time here was great. I had so much fun."

As for the strange bedfellows of having to play against her friend and fellow Raider, Cole (5 points) could have done without it.

"It's so weird, I don't like it. While I'm cheering for one team (Porter's) cheering for the other," said Cole smiling. "What are you doing. You're my friend you should be on my side.

"But it was still a great time and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it," concluded Cole.

As for Sidney Head Coach Tyler Shaw, who led the Raiders to a district championship and a trip to state in 2014, he watched the game from the stands. Shaw had no problems rooting for one team over another.

"It was easy for me, I didn't root for any team," he said. "I was here just rooting for individual players and they were all just great."