Fans turn out in force at local viewing parties

As the Sidney High Red Raiders battled 350 miles away in Lincoln on Saturday, local fans turned out at local watering holes to watch the game live on TV.

At least 100 people stopped in at Hillside Bar and Grill to view the game with fellow Raider supporters.

Judy Morrison, manager at Hillside, said she was surprised by the turnout.

“We filled up quickly,” she said. “There are a lot of supporters for Sidney.”

Expecting at the least a busier than normal Saturday, she had called in three additional staff members.

“We stand behind our community,” she said. “That’s just the way everybody is.”

Seated at a table surrounded by friends, Patrick Leininger, 28 of Omaha, watched the TV intently.

A Sidney High alum and former player himself, he said he was impressed by Sidney’s success this year – and the city’s support of the team.

“This is awesome,” he said. “This is absolutely awesome. A lot of people couldn’t make it out [to Lincoln], but they still came up here and supported the team. It’s a great environment. What a run they had.”

In town for a friend’s wedding, he said it was difficult to leave the eastern part of the state with the tournament going on.

“I would have been there if it had not been for the wedding,” he said.

Despite falling short of a state championship, Leininger said the team’s success helps to elevate the school and the city.

“It shows that you can do it,” he said. “We can make a run from Western Nebraska – a run for the whole thing. I think this gives kids a lot of confidence.”

He added it was great to see the community support for the athletes.

“When Sidney High sports do well, the community really comes together and gets behind them,” he said. “And it’s amazing to see. It’s really cool to see.”

Sidney Mayor Mark Nienhueser, who also watched the game at Hillside, lauded praise for the basketball team.

“They did an excellent job putting an excellent season together,” he said. “I think it was the result of a lot of hard effort from a lot of good kids. It shows that they got as far as they did.”

Sitting in the middle of the restaurant near a large TV screen, Karen Rehmer and her husband, Ron, had one of the best seats in the house.

“We haven’t missed a home game in two or three years,” she said.

While their four children have long since graduated from Sidney High, Rehmer – a Sidney native – said she has been a Red Raiders fan her entire life.

“I just think it’s wonderful there was so much support from the community,” she said, while looking around the dining room where every table was occupied.

She added she was proud of the team’s accomplishments this season and looks forward to its continued success next year.

“I think they did truly amazing as a team, and they only lose two seniors,” she said.