Scottsbluff knocks off unbeaten Sidney, 58-45

The Sidney High boys basketball team lost its first game this season while playing at Scottsbluff High School on Friday, 58-45.

While the game remained close in the first two quarters, the Bearcats (13-2) edged the Red Raiders (15-1) in the second half, Sidney head coach Eric Kohl said.

"In the first half, we played really well," he said.

While only down by 1 point to begin the third quarter, Sidney began to struggle offensively.

"We had open shots that we didn't make," Kohl said. "And that's when Scottsbluff expanded (the 1-point lead) to 8 points."

As the Bearcats continued to lead in the final period, the Raiders were forced to speed up the game, the coach added.

"It was a high intensity game," he said. "Our intensity was great, we just had some details we didn't do well – offensively and defensively, we made little mistakes.

"When playing a good team like Scottsbluff, you can't make mistakes," he said.

While the loss is Sidney's first this season, Kohl said his team is looking forward to practice this week.

"When you win, sometimes it's hard to always understand maybe you're not doing everything right," he said.

Although he's called attention to small mistakes in past weeks, the team has grown accustomed to winning even if not doing everything 100 percent right, he said.

"This reaffirms that every detail is important," Kohl said.

The Red Raiders are next in action on Friday when they host Chadron (7-7) at the Cabela's Athletic Facility. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.