SIDNEY – Sidney and Ogallala split a pair of games at the Cabela’s Athletic Facility in Sidney Friday night. The Lady Raider’s relentless pressure took its toll on Ogallala as Sidney pulled away in a 65-35 win over the Lady Indians. Ironically, it was that same kind of pressure from Ogallala that stymied the Red Raiders in a 74-58 loss to the Indians.

The Lady Raiders set the tone early jumping out to a 9-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. Sidney’s press forced the Indians into eight turnovers in the opening period and a Lady Raider 18-7 lead after one quarter. Sidney stretched the lead to 13 points and led 28-17 with 2:35 to go in the half when Ogallala’s Laney Caskey crashed into Sidney junior Karsyn Leeling as both players were chasing a loose ball. Leeling went to the floor and play was halted for over nine minutes while she was being attended to. Leeling was eventually carried from the gym and taken for examination. The Lady Raiders headed to the locker rooms at half up 33-20.

The second half was all Sidney. The Lady Raiders held Ogallala to single digits in each of the final two quarters as Sidney scored 32 second-half points to put the game away. Sidney was led by the 21 points of Reese Riddle while Payton Schrotberger added 13 in the win. Sidney improves to 11-1 as Ogallala falls to 8-4.

The boys games was just the opposite. Ogallala’s pressure kept the Red Raiders from getting open shots as the Indians sprinted to an 11-2 lead just over three minutes into the game. Sidney was forced to play catch-up the rest of the nights. Although Ogallala never trailed Sidney was able to stay within striking distance throughout most of the game. But every time Sidney cut into the Ogallala lead the Indians had an answer.

Sidney finished the night with three players in double figures led by Jaeden Dillehay’s 19 points. Isak Doty finished the game with 17 points and Landon Riddle came off the bench to score 11.

Sidney is back on the court on Saturday when they travel to North Platte to take on the Bulldogs. Tipoff for the girls game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. MT with the boys game to follow at 3:45 p.m. Listen to all the action Saturday afternoon on 98.7 The Big Boy.