Sidney blasts past Hershey, Chadron

After its first loss of the season to Scottsbluff a little more than a week ago, the Sidney High boys basketball team (17-1) responded on Friday and Saturday with two decisive victories.

On Friday, the Raiders beat Chadron, 65-35. Twenty-four hours later, Sidney topped Hershey 63-34.

"I think we had a really good week of practice after that loss to Scottsbluff," Sidney head coach Eric Kohl said.

An emphasis during the week was ball control, he said, and on Saturday, the Raiders had just six turnovers.

Against Chadron (8-8), Tyler Wintholz led the team with 15 points. Zack Means and Mitch Porter also hit double digits, scoring 12 and 10 points respectively.

"I think we got better from last week to this week," Kohl said. "And now we have to get better from this week to next week, again."

On Saturday against Hershey (3-16), Cutter O'Connell led the team with 15 points, and Wintholz added another 13.

"I'm happy with our weekend," the coach said.

After the loss to Scottsbluff, Sidney hit the court to work on details, he said.

"Everybody is getting better," Kohl sad.

The attitudes demonstrated in practice show the team is willing work hard, he added.

"Our attitude has been great," Kohl said. "I think we saw that in practice and the games. So we just have to keep continuing with that attitude."

The basketball season is long, Kohl said, and it's important to keep the players motivated. To help in that endeavor, the team will begin naming a captain of the week. Each varsity player will have a turn at the role, and be able to speak to the team before practices and games.

"They will get to say what they think is important," Kohl explained.

The Raiders will be on the road at Gering (10-6) on Friday and back in action at home on Scottsbluff (14-2) for a rematch with Scottsbluff.

"We just have to keep winning," Kohl said. "We have to stay competitive."