SIDNEY – Trailing after the opening period, the Sidney Lady Raiders took control in the second quarter and never looked back Saturday afternoon at the Sidney Middle School Auditorium, improving to 6-1 on the season with a 56-43 victory over Cheyenne Central.

Cheyenne Central senior Elizabeth Needham sparked a fast start for the Indians, scoring six points and pulling down nine rebounds—six on the offensive end. Central collected eight offensive rebounds in the first quarter, limiting Sidney to just a brief 17-second lead late in the period. The Lady Raiders trailed 14-11 after one.

Sidney’s defense turned the game around in the second quarter, forcing seven Central turnovers. Lilee Wieser, who scored six of Sidney’s 11 first-quarter points, knocked down two three-pointers and scored eight points in the period. The Lady Raiders held Central to just one field goal and a free throw, outscoring the Indians 18-3 to take a 29-17 halftime lead.
Laramey Misegadis scored six of her 13 points in the third quarter as Sidney pushed the lead to 41-29 with 55 seconds remaining. A last-second three-pointer by Addi Draegert trimmed the margin to 41-32 heading into the fourth.

Sidney maintained control down the stretch to secure the 56-43 win.

Wieser led the Lady Raiders with 18 points. Misegadis finished with 13 points, while Reagan Nesbitt recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Hadley Uhrich paced Cheyenne Central with 12 points, and Kiya Wade added 11.

A turnover on Sidney’s opening possession set the tone, as Cheyenne Central’s Zach Benchley converted a steal into a layup in the Indians’ 59-47 win over the Red Raiders.

Sidney stayed close early behind Kyle Jaggers and Rhys Dorcey, who scored six points apiece in the first quarter. However, five first-quarter turnovers left the Red Raiders trailing 17-12 after one.

Kash Knobbe sparked a Sidney rally in the second quarter, drilling three three-pointers. Benchley accounted for all seven of Central’s points in the period, and the game was tied 24-24 at halftime.
Benchley led a Central surge in the third quarter, scoring nine points as the Indians pulled ahead. Kale Kaiser scored six of his eight points in the period to keep Sidney within striking distance, but Central carried a 44-35 advantage into the fourth.

Sidney was unable to generate a late run, falling 59-47 and dropping to 0-7 on the season.
Dorcey and Knobbe led Sidney with 11 points each, while Jaggers added 10. Benchley poured in a game-high 25 points for Cheyenne Central, with Chris Martin contributing 16.

The Lady Raiders and Red Raiders return to action Monday, December 22, when they host the Alliance Bulldogs at the Cabela’s Athletic Facility. Tipoff for the girls game is set for 4:00 p.m., with the boys game to follow at 5:30 p.m. The games can be heard live on 1340 AM/95.7 FM Cheyenne County Country, online at thebigboy987.com, or on the News Channel Nebraska app.