Lady Raiders Pull Out Win Against Gothenburg 45-43

Sidney's Lady Raider Girls Basketball team has had their share of easy, big-margin wins so far this season, but has shown they can withstand a tough battle and come out on top in the end. Friday night, the 12-and-1 Lady Raiders traveled to match up against the 11-and-1 Lady Swedes, and bore down in a tight contest that had the Lady Raiders start fast and open an 11-to-2 lead at the end of the first period.

The Lady Swedes showed their strength in the second quarter, coming back against the tough Sidney defense, outscoring the Lady Raiders by seven points in the period and narrowing the Sidney lead to 17-to-15 at the halftime break. Sidney regrouped to try to stop the Gothenburg momentum, but the Lady Swedes started strong in the third period, tying the game at 19-to-19 then taking a lead about half-way through the third period. After a three-point hit by junior Katie Ramsey at the end of the frame, the Swedes held a 33-to-29 lead.

Gothenburg then hit a three pointer to start the final period, followed by a three point hit in response by Sidney senior Reese Riddle. Ramsey then stole an inbound pass and took it to the hoop to cut the Gothenburg lead to just two points. The teams battled back-and-forth through the remainder of the period until senior Rheagan Stanley drained a three to put Sidney in the lead. Gothenburg then knotted the score at 40-to-40, until sophomore Kayla Westby drained a three pointer for the Lady Raiders to give Sidney a three point lead.

But Gothenburg fired back with a three point hit of their own to tie the game at 43-to-43 with 30 seconds left. Westby tried a three pointer in the final seconds that fell short, but she was able to get her own rebound and dish it off to junior Payton Schrotberger, who drove the lane and put up two points as time expired, sealing the thrilling 45-to-43 win. The Lady Raiders smart and time-conscious playing style translated into an important win for the Sidney girls.

Ramsey led the scoring for Sidney with 12 points followed by Stanley with 8 points. Gothenburg's Ellarey Harm led all scorers with 19 points. The win moved Sidney's record to 13-and-1 on the season.

The Lady Raiders were scheduled to host Yuma on Saturday, but the game was cancelled at the last moment as the Yuma team could not get to Sidney due to snow conditions from Wednesday's storm. They were next scheduled to host Torrington on Tuesday, then travel to Chadron on Friday.