KEARNEY – The Sidney Lady Raiders overcame a six-point second-half deficit Saturday to give head coach Tyler Shaw his 300th career win, with a 57-54 victory over number one ranked Lincoln Christian in the Girls Basketball Showcase at Kearney High School. With the win, Sidney improves to 11-0 on the season.

A game, that neither team had a lead greater than six points, came down to free throws in the final five seconds. With 13.6 seconds remaining in the game, senior Karsyn Leeling made one of two free throws to give the Lady Raiders a 55-52 advantage. However, Sidney fouled the Crusaders’ leading scorer, Kena Ailes, on a contested three-point attempt with 4.4 seconds left. The 6’1” post player, who is Lincoln Christian’s best free throw shooter, made her first two attempts to cut Sidney’s lead to 55-54. But her third attempt caromed off the heal of the rim and was snatched Katie Ramsey who was fouled with 2.9 second left. The senior stepped to the line and calmly sank both free throws to force a desperation half-court shot the sailed over the backboard.

Karsyn Leeling made five of her eight three-point attempts to lead the Lady Raiders with 24 points and was named the Girls Basketball Showcase Game 7 Offensive Player of the Game. Kayla Westby added 13 points and had five steals to earn the Game 7 Offensive Player of the Game. Lincoln Christian was led by Kena Ailes with 24 points.

Getting his 300th career win over the number one team in Class C-1 could not have been more rewarding or deserving for head coach Tyler Shaw. In his 17th season at the helm of the Lady Raiders, the Lady Raiders have had only losing season, his first in 2006-2007. Since then, Coach Shaw has averaged nearly 18 wins per year with a .705 winning percentage. Over the last seven years, Coach Shaw has averaged over 20 wins per year, with six state tournament appearances, including a 25-3 record last season.

The Sidney basketball teams are back on the court for a busy week beginning Tuesday with home games against Mitchell before a trip to Ogallala on Friday for a matchup with the Indians. North Platte will venture to the Cabela’s Athletic Facility on Saturday to wrap up the week.

GIRLS BASKETBALL SHOWCASE
Game 1 - Elmwood-Murdock 62, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 29
Game 2 - Southern Valley 53, Centennial 43
Game 3 - St Mary's 41, McCool Junction 39
Game 4 - Seward 68, Broken Bow 64, 2OT
Game 5 - Omaha Marian 43, York 34
Game 6 - Pender 53, Yutan 47
Game 7 - Sidney 57, Lincoln Christian 54
Game 8 - Beatrice 61, Kearney 58