Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Frerichs no longer on Sidney team
Sidney coach Erik Kohl relays instructions to his team during a break at Thursday practice. The Raiders open state tournament play next Thursday.
The Sidney High Red Raiders were hard at work Thursday afternoon in the middle school gym preparing for its first-round game in the upcoming NSAA Class B Boys' State Basketball Championship.
While the third-seeded Raiders will need to win three games against some of the premier Class B teams in the state to win a title, Sidney is clearly focused on one game at a time. First up for the Raiders is a battle with longtime District B-6 foe Scottsbluff. The Raiders will meet the Bearcats on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. MDT at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
"Right now we're just focussed on Thursday," said Raiders' head coach Erik Kohl after Thursday's practice. "Let's just go out and play our best on Thursday and if we do that then we'll see how the rest of it plays out. From there, it's who knows.
"For now though, it's just Thursday, Thursday, Thursday. We're not thinking about any other day because we have to be ready to play our best basketball on Thursday," concluded Kohl.
The Raiders finished their practice with a full-court scrimmage that lasted about 35 minutes. The Raiders' varsity starters faced off against the junior varsity in a high energy workout.
A notable absentee from the Raiders workout, however, was senior Cody Frerichs.
"He is no longer on the team," said Kohl, who did not wish to elaborate.
Frerichs, who opened the season as a starter in the Sidney backcourt, was suspended for several games earlier this season and has has not started a game since. He has played regularly off the bench, however, and scored six points against Alliance on Monday. Brady Radcliffe took over the starters job at mid-season and has held the spot ever since.
On the court, it was business as usual for Sidney as they went through their scrimmage with energy and good humor.
Despite losing their district semifinal game against Alliance on Tuesday at the Cabela's Athletic Facility, the Raiders give all appearances they are a confident team. The loss to Alliance was the Raiders' first loss of the season on their home court.
"It was an extremely tough loss, I think one of the toughest losses I've ever experienced," said senior Lane Harvey. "It was a tough thing to deal with, but that's all over now. It's a new beginning for us and we're extremely confident and really looking forward to going to state."
BOYS’ CLASS B STATE TOURNAMENT
Thursday, March 12
At Pinnacle Bank Arena
No.2 Beatrice (21-1) vs. No. 7 Plattsmouth (16-8), 9 a.m. CDT
No. 3 Sidney (20-4) vs. No. 6 Scottsbluff (21-4), 10:45 a.m. CDT
At Devaney Center
No. 1 Gretna (24-2) vs. No. 8 Mt. Michael Benedictine (13-9), 7 p.m. CDT
No. 4 Elkhorn South (18-5) vs. No. 5 Adams Central (21-4), 8:45 p.m. CDT
Friday, March 13
At Pinnacle Bank Arena
Semfinals
Beatrice-Plattsmouth winner vs.
Sidney-Scottsbluff winner, 2 p.m. CDT
Gretna-Mount Michael Benedictine winner vs.
Elkhorn South-Adams Central winner, 3:45 p.m. CDT
Saturday, March 14
At Pinnacle Bank Arena
State championship game
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m. CDT
COLORADO BOYS’ CLASS 1A REGIONALS
Friday, March 6
At Brush (Colo.) High School
Semifinals
No. 6 Peetz (13-9) vs. No. 7 Flagler (8-13), 1:30 p.m.
No. 1 Arickaree/Woodlin (21-0) receives a bye
Saturday, March 7
At Brush (Colo.) High School
Championship Game
Peetz-Flagler winner vs. No. 1 Arickaree/Woodlin (21-0), 11:30 a.m.
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