Lady Raiders/Red Raiders Fall to Gothenburg

SIDNEY - Both Sidney basketball teams came up 3 points short Friday night against Gothenburg at the Cabela’s Athletic Facility. The Lady Raiders lost for just the third time this season 48-45 to the Swedes while the Red Raiders dropped their second game in a row and the fourth on season, 42-39.

The Lady Raiders got off to a quick start against the 10-4 Swedes behind 5 first quarter points from Gabby Fortner. The backcourt duo of Brynna Ross and Rheagan Stanley each chipped in a three-pointer to give Sidney a 14-11 lead after one period.

Junior Ellarey Harm led the Swedes back with 7 points in the second quarter, 4 of which came off offensive rebounds. Sidney made just 2 field goals while going 2 of 6 from the free throw line in the second period to trail Gothenburg 24-21 at half.

The Lady Raiders turn the tables on the Swedes in the third quarter, holding Gothenburg to just 8 points on 3 of 16 shots. Brynna Ross and Katie Ramsey each hit a three to send Sidney to the final period with a 1-point lead, 33-32.

Gothenburg junior Kynlee Stauser scored 7 of her 9 points in the fourth quarter, knocking down all three shots she took, to spur the Swedes comeback. For the second time in the game, Gothenburg held Sidney to just 2 field goals in the period, while Ellarey Harm added 7 of her game-high 18 points in the final stanza to secure the win for the Swedes.

The Lady Raiders were outrebounded in the game 41-27. Twenty of Gothenburg’s rebounds were offensive rebounds which the Swedes turned into 12 second chance points.

SIDNEY - Rheagan Stanley 10, Brynna Ross 13, Chloe Ahrens 2, Reese Riddle 3, Gabby Fortner 7, Kayla Westby 0, Emilee Wieser 5, Katie Ramsey 5
GOTHENBURG - Aubrey O'Hare 5, Emily Cornwell 0, Ashlyn Richeson 8, Kynlee Strauser 9, Taryn O'Hare 2, Clara Evert 4, Ellarey Harm 18, Madison Smith 2

SIDNEY - In their last two wins the Red Raiders shot 49% from the floor and made 9 of 22 three-pointers. In their last two games, Sidney shot 29% from the field and just 9 of 56 from outside the arc, both losses. Friday’s game against a scrappy Gothenburg squad was the second of those losses. The Swedes aggressive 1-3-1 zone defense forced 8 first quarter turnovers and held Sidney to just 2 of 14 shooting to propel the Swedes to a 13-7 first quarter lead.

In the second period, Isak Doty chipped in 5 points while Sidney’s defense held Gothenburg to only 2 field goals to tie the game at 17 at intermission.

Gothenburg returned the favor after the break, as Sidney turned the ball over 7 times and could only muster 4 points in the period. The Swedes were not much better as they hit only 3 shots in this defensive struggle, but one of them was a 3-pointer to give the Swedes a 24-21 lead heading into the final period.

Sidney fought back to take a take a 35-32 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Junior Kai Jorgenson hit a shot inside and then made one of two free throws moments later to tie the game at 35. Sidney’s final lead came at 39-36 when Jacob Dowse made a pair of free throws with 1:46 remaining in the game. But those were the last points the Red Raiders scored as Gothenburg picked up their 7^th win in 15 outings, 42-39.

The Red Raiders, who have three players averaging in double-figures were led by Wyatt Heckenlively’s 9 points, Jacob Dowse and Isak Doty each had 8.

SIDNEY - Jacob Dowse 8, Sawyer Dickman 5, Brayden Shaw 3, Wyatt Heckenlively 9, Isak Doty 8, Micah Schneider 6, Treyson Johnstone 0, Jonathan Carrillo 0
GOTHENBURG - Trey Stevens 10, Kooper Koehn 5, Wes Geiken 10, Bronson Long 9, Maddox Rickertsen 0, ennett Geiken 0, Carson Rhodes 3, Kai Jorgenson 5