Postseason high school basketball took over Wayne America Monday late afternoon with the winner advancing to the state tournament.
From the Wayne Jr/Sr High School gymnasium, #8 Wayne hosted #9 Sidney during the C1-8 boys district final with shoulder to shoulder fans in the bleachers.
Thanks to a span of six made three’s in the second quarter, the visiting Red Raiders secured a 62-50 win to be crowned District champion.
Wayne took control early with an 18-13 first quarter lead before Sidney answered with a 20-10 second quarter to go up 33-28 at half. The Red Raiders added to their lead with a 17-10 third quarter before both teams scored 12 points in the fourth.
Wayne scored four points early to cut the game within eight points and brought it as close as six points late in the game until Sidney started to knock down their foul shots. Final favored Sidney winning 62-50 to improve to 18-8 as Wayne saw their three-game winning streak snapped ending their season at 21-6.
Wayne High leaders were senior Gavin Redden with 13 points, senior Colson Nelsen added 10 points as sophomore Jaxson Kneifl followed with eight points.
Other scoring came from junior Jace Jorgensen with seven points, junior Brodey Munter tallied five points, senior Kaden Keller tacked on four points as junior Drew Reinhardt scored three points.
The Blue Devils shot 12-19 (6-8 in the fourth) from the foul line.
Sidney was led in scoring by junior Alek Doty with 22 points (five made three’s), sophomore Kash Knobbe added 13 points (three made three’s) off the bench as junior Keian Kaiser followed with 12 points.
Other scoring came from senior Landon Riddle with nine points, sophomore Rhys Dorcey tallied three points, junior Lance Holly tacked on two points as senior Reid Fiscus scored one point.
The Red Raiders finished 8-19 (8-17 in fourth) at the charity stripe. Sidney knocked down 10 three’s in the game.
