Youth Classic returns to Sidney with 41 teams competing

SIDNEY, Neb. — The Cheyenne County Community Center’s Youth Classic Basketball Tournament returned to Sidney this weekend, drawing 41 teams from across the region for two days of competition.

The revived tournament, held Saturday and Sunday, featured fifth- through eighth-grade boys and girls teams. Games were played at multiple sites, including Peetz High School, Sidney Middle School, West Elementary and the Cheyenne County Community Center.

Among Sunday’s champions at the middle school were the Sidney fifth-grade girls and the Sidney sixth-grade boys.

Cheyenne County Community Center Sports Director Kendyl Wintholz, in her first year with the Center, said the tournament’s return was well received.

“I think it went great. It was really awesome. A lot of great feedback,” Wintholz said.

Wintholz said the event carried special meaning for the community.

“I think it just matters so much to Sidney. It was super cool to watch this town come together,” she said. “I came from a city where this stuff happens all the time. Here in Sidney, this community, I think it’s a huge deal, a fun thing to get the community together.”

Wintholz said the tournament also provided an opportunity to watch local travel teams compete together.

“Great competition. It’s really fun to actually get to watch our Sidney travel teams,” she said. “They’re all mixed around for Center League. It’s cool to watch those travel team kids get to play together and for me to get to watch them, because they’ve been traveling elsewhere all season.”

Wintholz called the tournament’s return rewarding.

“It’s just exciting. I feel really fortunate that I get to do this job,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s so worth it to see everybody so happy that this tournament is back. I want to see the 40th Annual Youth Classic. I hope I’m around to see that.”