SIDNEY – Haley Johnson’s steal and layup 28 seconds into the final period gave the Gordon-Rushville their first lead of the game as the Mustangs rallied to capture the Sidney Holiday Tournament championship Friday at the Cabela’s Athletic Facility. Gordon-Rushville outscored Sidney 25-16 in the second half to hand the Lady Raiders their first loss of the season 42-37.

Sidney who scored the first eight points of the game, held an 8-3 lead after the first quarter. In a game of aggressive defense, the Lady Raiders maintained their advantage until Gordon-Rushville’s McKinley Grover tied the game at 11-all with 4:50 to go in the half. Sidney Sophomore Zoey Christensen’s three-pointer put the Lady Raiders back on top 14-11. A pair of Karsyn Leeling three pointers closed out Sidney’s scoring in the half as led 21-17 at intermission.

The Mustangs scored the first four points of the second half, tying the game at 21 on a pair of Haley Johnson free throws. Sidney responded, taking their biggest lead of the second half 26-21 on a Jordan DeNovellis layup with 3:35 to go in the third. The Mustangs recovered and tied the game at 27 heading to the final period. The Lady Raiders never had a lead the rest of the game as Haley Johnson scored eight of her game-high 21 points in the final stanza to secure the win.

Sidney, who falls to 7-1 on the season, was led by Karsyn Leeling’s 11 points. Reese Riddle and Kayla Westby each had 5 for the Lady Raiders. Gordon-Rushville junior Haley Johnson’s 21 points led all scorers while senior Tessa Hurlburt added 11 points.

In the boys championship game, the Sidney Red Raiders made 11 threes to shoot their way past an experienced, senior laden Gordon-Rushville team to win the Sidney Holiday Tournament. Sidney outscored the Mustangs in every quarter on the way to a 65-34 win to improve to 6-2 on the season.

The Red Raiders never trailed in the game, building a 30-13 halftime lead. Sidney had three players score in double figures, led by Jaedan Dillehay’s 17 points. Micah Schneider finished with 14 points while Cam Leeling added 10 points.