Red Holds Off Blue Comeback in Panhandle Prep All-Star Boys Game Doty

SCOTTSBLUFF -- Usually, All-Star games are lopsided contests, and just a way for seniors to enjoy a last moment in the sun as they finish off their high school careers. And for most of the Panhandle Prep All Star Boys game in Scottbluff on Saturday, this contest seemed to follow that blueprint . . . until it didn't.

The Blue team was unable to do much scoring-wise through most of the game. They trailed by double-digits for most of the game, missing shots and just not able to get into any kind of rhythm. Down by 17 points going into the final frame, the Blue team, coached by Sidney High School Head Coach Austin Lewis, finally found their stroke and started collecting buckets.

Lewis noted that his players are all great athletes and great competitors, but they just couldn't seem to find their range. "Couldn't hit the broadside of a barn" is the phrase he used after the game. But the Blue team showed their heart and competitiveness in the final frame, as they would not allow themselves to be blown out in their final efforts as high school players.

Down by 17, the Blue team started hitting their shots. What seemed to be just a bump in the road to an inevitable Red Team victory started to build momentum, as the points started tallying on the scoreboard. Sidney's Isak Doty caught fire in the fourth quarter, knocking down five three point shots on his way to scoring 19 points in the second half of the contest. Doty finished the game leading all scorers with 25 points. The Red Team was able to score enough in the final period to hold off the Blue rally, with both teams combining for 58 points in the final quarter. The Blue Team went on an 11-to-0 run in the final frame, causing the pressure to turn up on the Red Team, and turned the contest into a nail-biter at the end.

The Red Team was able to hold off the rally, taking the 91-to-87 victory as time expired. However, even in the loss, the players knew what they had done was something special. It's easy to coast in final game that really doesn't matter when you're down big, but the boys of the Blue Team were competitors, so rather than folding it up and going home, they turned up the intensity and went on a run that turned a yawner of a game into something exciting to watch, and even more exciting to participate in.

The girls game had a similar story to it, minus the heated fourth quarter comeback by the Red Team. In this contest, the Blue Team opened a lead early, and never looked back on their way to a 76-to-52 victory. Sidney's Chloe Ahrens had a great game, scoring 11 points for the Blue Team while Sidney's Katie Ramsey was able to add six points in the victory. Although not as competitive a match up as the boys game, it was good to see the quality athletes of the panhandle region go out and give it one last shot before going on to college or the workforce.