Local stars suit up one more time for Mid-Plains event

Many of the players selected to play in the Mid-Plains Area All-Star Basketball Game on Friday night were playing in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium at North Platte Community College for the first time and only time. For Sidney's Sarah Mahr it was likely just the first of many such experiences.

Mahr, who not only was the leading scorer for the Class B-6 District Champion Sidney Red Raiders, she was also the leading scorer for the Gold Team. As she did the previous week at Scottsbluff, she topped the scoring list for all-star team with 11 points.

Mahr recently made a verbal commitment to play basketball for the North Platte Community College Knights this fall. Her signing to play for Head Coach Richard Thurin will be announced shortly. The Mid-Plains game was the first time she has had the opportunity to play in her new home.

"Well we lost pretty big today but this was definitely fun," said Mahr. "The girls here were so funny and have great personalities."

With a strong presence from Creek Valley High School, the girls Black Team opened up with a 67-43 win over Mahr's Gold Team. The Black squad was coached by Storm head man Bill Wilber with a roster that included two of his best players, Jerry Straber and Summer Mueller.

As for her future as a Knight, there will be mixed emotions.

"I will definitely miss playing for Sidney a lot," said Mahr. "I'm used to that small town feeling. But coming here will be really exciting for me. The game today made me even more excited about playing here."

On the other side of the court, Creek Valley Storm Head Coach Bill Wilber had a special opportunity to coach his talented senior duo one more time.

"I really enjoyed this, I'm going to miss them a lot," said Wilber. "I didn't play Summer and Jerry together because I knew what they could do. I just turned them all loose and told them to have fun."

Mueller, who was among the team leaders with 10 points, will be heading to Doane College this fall. Straber is headed to McCook Community College. Both will be playing basketball.

"It was nice to be able to play one more time with Summer," said Straber. "We always worked so well together and that's why we're such good friends. It was really a fun time here. I had such a good time."

Though Jerry has graduated from Creek Valley, she had the pleasure of playing with two of her sisiters during her senior year. Joey and Jessie will be back to play for the Storm next season.

"It was nice to be able to play with my sisters in my last year," said Straber. "I think both of them will more than be able to fill my shoes."

While the girls contest was somewhat one sided from the start, the boys game was close the entire way. In what turned out to be a see-saw contest from the opening tip of the boys contest, Gold outpointed Black by a 95-91 count.

Lane Godfrey of Creek Valley and Dylan Brenner of Leyton suited up for Black. Opposing the pair were Brenner's Leyton teammate, Brennen Cruise, who wore gold along with Potter-Dix's Bryant Knigge.

Despite a couple of nice dish's from Knigge early in the contest, there was little time wasted on passing. It was an offensive showcase from the start, with North Platte's Kade Erickson leading all scorers with 19 points.

While teaming up the past two years to help get the Leyton Warriors to the state tournament, Brenner and Cruise were were on opposing sides for this one.

"It wasn't that strange, since we went up against each other in practice," said Cruise who will be attending UNL this fall. "All good things must come to an end. But this was a nice way to end it. I had a lot of fun here."

Brenner also enjoyed the experience, but he found playing against his friend Cruise a little odd.

"Sure we've practiced against each other, but it was a little different to have to play against him in a game," said Brenner. "But we definitely had fun. That's what this was really all about."

It was less strange for Knigge and Godfrey, who have been friendly rivals the past four years. Like they have on countless occasions in regular season games, the pair guarded each other whenever they were on the floor together.

Knigge and Godfrey will both be doing double athletic duty next season. Knigge will be pole vaulting and playing basketball at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. Godfrey will also play basketball while adding golf to his schedule at Hastings College.

Area participants

Sarah Mahr, Sidney

Summer Mueller, Creek Valley

Jerry Straber, Creek Valley

Bryant Knigge, Potter-Dix

Brennen Cruise, Leyton

Dylan Brenner, Leyton

Lane Godfrey, Creek Valley