LINCOLN - The Sidney girls basketball team won their first state tournament trophy in 40 years with a runner-up finish at the 2024 Nebraska School Activities Association Class C1 State Championship at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday.

Mattea Kassebaum scored all 15 of her game-high points at the free throw line, No. 1 Lincoln Christian held the No. 2 Lady Raiders to 23% from the field, and the Crusaders won their third state title in school history, 38-26.

Jessa Hueser added 12 points and 7 rebounds to help Lincoln Christian finish the season 25-2. Kenadee Ailes grabbed 13 rebounds, blocked 3 shots, and scored 5 points.

Lincoln Christian scored 10 points off of Sidney's 10 turnovers while holding the Lady Raiders to 11% from three-point range. The Crusaders shot 58% on 36 free throws and scored 21 of their 38 points from the line. Lincoln Christian outrebounded Sidney, 37-27. 

It was the eighth girls state tournament basketball trophy in school history for Lincoln Christian.

Sidney, who lost just their second game all season, was led by 9 points from Kayla Westby. Chloe Ahrens grabbed seven rebounds.

16 of the Lady Raiders 26 points were in the paint. They only attempted nine free throws. 

Sidney finishes the season at 26-2. The last time Sidney won a trophy at the girls state basketball championships was when the finished runner-up in both 1982 and 1984.