Talking Sports: Let's look ahead to the district playoffs

Just a few more days and the calendar gets turned over to February. It may be too early to start thinking about spring, even though the mercury climbed past 70 earlier this week. But February reminds us that the winter sports season is fast heading towards it's dramatic conclusion.

There are just 15 days until the competition begins at district wrestling in Chadron. Three days later the girls of class D basketball get started with subdistricts and the boys a week later. Before President's Day (Feb. 16) week is out, state wrestling opens up at the Century Link Center in Omaha and the final regular-season basketball games will be held.

The final week of February brings the Class B girls' district tournament to Scottsbluff while the Peetz boys and girls basketball teams open districts Feb. 24. The cheer and dance competition is scheduled for Feb. 21, at the Grand Island Events Center. Class B boys' districts open up early in March. Lincoln takes center stage over the first two weeks in March with state basketball.

I'm not a prognosticator and only attempt to engage in the practice at thoroughbred race tracks and on occasional trips to Las Vegas. But the likelihood that I will be heading eastward on multiple occasions to report on state championships seems like an even-money bet.

As for Sidney wrestling, the Raiders have two of its grapplers ranked in the top six in the state. At 145 pounds, senior Michael Muggli is ranked fourth in Nebraska while freshman Derek Robb holds down sixth at 138.

Muggli has reached the state tournament every year of his high school career. With a 32-4 record and numerous meet titles to his credit this year, it's a pretty good bet Muggli will be making the trip to Omaha. The top four in each weight class will qualify for state.

Oddly enough for Muggli, however, he has much of his toughest competition at home in District B-4. Brian Messersmith of Cozad is ranked first in Nebraska while Walker Johnson is 3rd. Those are matches not to miss.

Robb (33-0) has just one district wrestler rated above him in the state. Sitting one step higher is Salem Harsh of Scottsbluff. There's another match to get a good seat for. But Robb and Muggli are not the only Raider hopefuls for state. Several have told me they believe they can make it – and why not.

There were six Raiders to make the heartbreak round last season with only Muggli getting through. Maybe an added year of experience will get a few more on the bus this time around.

On the hardwood, the Sidney boys have the best team but maybe the the toughest path to state among the boy's teams in the Sun-Telegraph's coverage area. The Leyton squad is younger than the team that made it to Lincoln last year, but they improve by the day. Their third straight trip to state wouldn't surprise me at all.

While the Potter-Dix Coyotes have struggled through much of the season, they have shown spurts to prove they can play with anybody. I don't want to be the last to say they could surprise if they could cut back on the turnovers.

As for the Red Raiders, they have the misfortune of having to play in the same district with Scottsbluff and Gering. It's not a situation unlike last season – with the exception that Sidney (13-2) is in a more hopeful position for a wild card. The Raiders sit behind only Gretna (14-2) on the NSAA points list with Scottsbluff sixth.

While the Bulldogs at 7-7 are presently on the outside looking in, they've proven they can play with Sidney and Scottsbluff. The Raiders were the top seed going into districts last season and had the measure of the Bearcats for three quarters in the district championship game. Sidney's hopes finally slipped away in the final period.

Over the border, the Peetz boys have one more meeting with league leader Fleming on the final day of the regular season before they begin districts. The Wildcats had their way with Peetz in their last meeting on Jan. 16, though the Bulldogs had an explosive third quarter.

The Dogs' top scorer Casey Barrett has been hobbled some by back issues. Midway through the season he led Colorado in scoring at nearly 30 points per game. He's still a potent force, however, at nearly 25 ppg. He also has an excellent supporting cast.

As for the girls' hoop stars, Potter-Dix is having a banner season. They won the MAC tournament in convincing fashion and are now 12-3 on the season. They have the misfortune of being in the same subdistrict as Dundy County-Stratton. The Lady Tigers (18-0) have rolled through their season like Sherman through Georgia. Dundy County leads all Class D1 schools in the in the NSAA points list with the Coyotes sitting at No. 21.

The Sidney Lady Raiders have a good chance to repeat as district champion in Class B-6. It looks very much like it will come down to Sidney and Scottsbluff. The Raiders and Bearcats tussled last week for the first time this season with host Scottsbluff earning the big win. Despite some hot shooting by the Lady Cats, it was still a one-point game in the fourth quarter.

The rematch is slated for Feb. 7, at the Cabela's Athletic Facility. Despite the head-to-head loss, Sidney (9-6) is still ahead of Scottsbluff (6-6) in the race for top seed at districts. The Raiders are 13th in the NSAA points list while the Bearcats are 17th.But the seeding just might come down to what happens on Feb. 7.