GRAND ISLAND – The Sidney Red Raiders completed a roller coaster weekend on a high note Saturday at the Heartland Hoops Classic in Grand Island. The Red Raiders, who led almost the entire game, built a double-digit lead and then survived a furious comeback by Grand Island Central Catholic for an impressive 48-47 win over the C-2 second ranked Crusaders.

Sidney (15-7) opened the busy weekend against a hot-shooting Chadron Cardinal team (12-10) on the road Friday in Chadron. Although Sidney got off to a hot start, and led 15-13 after the first quarter, the Red Raiders couldn’t find an answer for Cardinal senior Brady Daniels, who scored 11 of Chadron’s 13 first quarter points.

Sidney bounced back from a 35-29 halftime deficit, hitting five shots from outside the arc in the third, to take a 52-50 advantage into the final stanza. But Daniel fueled a 21-point Cardinal fourth quarter to push Chadron to the win.

Sidney was paced by junior Alek Doty with 25 points. Fellow junior Keian Kaiser chipped in 16 points while senior Landon Riddle added 10 points. Brady Daniels led four Cardinals in double figures with a game-high 31 points. Seniors Tobin Landen and Thomas Smith chipped in 13 points and 11 points respectively while sophomore Derek Bissonette added 10 points.

The Red Raiders travelled to Grand Island directly after that disheartening loss on Friday, arriving very early Saturday morning. However, Sidney showed little effect from the late night with a hot start, buoyed by senior Reid Fiscus’ nine first quarter points, to lead 16-14 at the end of the period.

Fiscus continued to score in the paint, while and adding a three pointer in the second quarter, to give Sidney a 25-21 halftime lead. The Red Raiders held the Crusaders to eight points in the third period while extending their lead to 37-29 heading into the final stanza. The Red Raiders were able to hold on for the 48-47 win.

Sidney was paced by Reed Fiscus’ 14 points, Landon Riddle added 12 points, and Keian Kaiser contributed 11 points in the win. Grand Island Central Catholic (18-4) was led by sophomore Braylon Wolfe, who knocked down five three pointers to finish with 17 points while, senior Thomas Liban added 15 for the Crusaders.

Sidney concludes their regular season on Friday when the host Alliance at the Cabela’s Athletic Facility. The junior varsity games tipoff at 4:00 p.m. The varsity girl’s game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity boy’s game at 7:30 p.m. Listen to all the live action on 1340 AM/95.7 FM Cheyenne County Country, online at thebigboy987.com, or on the News Channel Nebraska app.