Laramie Plays for Two Titles Saturday

Both Laramie High School basketball teams made the championship game at the 2014 Cabela's Holiday Shootout in Sidney, Nebraska with victories in the semifinals Friday night. The Laramie Lady Plainsmen held off Central City, NE 40-34, while the Laramie Plainsmen downed the host Sidney Red Raiders 63-52. Today's games will be online only.

Due to a conflict with Wyoming Cowgirl basketball on KOWB (AM 1290), both of today's games will be broadcast through an online only stream at www.network1sports.com/station/kowbnet.

The Laramie Lady Plainsmen (4-3) used a strong fourth quarter for the second consecutive game to pull out their game. Laramie trailed 10-6 after the first quarter, but out-scored the Central City Lady Bison 12-7 in the second period for an 18-17 halftime lead. That quarter featured three lead changes and three ties. Central City came back with a good finish to the third and held a 32-30 lead going into the final frame. The Lady Plainsmen played tough defense and allowed only 2 points in the final 8 minutes for the 6-point victory, 40-34.

Laramie was led by Jacqui Pulley, who scored all of her 10 points in the second half. Caitlan Hensley ended up with 9 points, Jerrica Peterson added 8 and Joey Harris finished with 4 points and 10 rebounds.

Central City (6-4) was led by Val Fousek, who scored a game-high 13 points.

The Lady Plainsmen will face Gering, NE in the championship game of the girls bracket. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.

The Laramie Plainsmen (2-5) won their second straight game with a strong performance against Sidney. Laramie trailed twice by eight points in the first quarter, but managed a 10-0 run gave them the lead for good early in the second. The game was tied at 13 after one. LHS scored the first basket of the second and never trailed after that.

Laramie held a 31-19 lead at half before the Red Raiders rallied within four points in the third quarter. Two big baskets by senior Tommy Nachtigal, a corner three and a floater in the lane, pushed the advantage back to nine. The lead eventually reached 14 points in the fourth before the Plainsmen finished off Sidney, 63-52.

Four players finished in double figures, led by Nachtigal's 16 points. Drew Burman scored 12 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, Jake Aadland added 11 and Tye Brown chipped in 10 points.

Sidney (4-3) was led by senior guard Paxton Ehler. He scored a game-high 21 points.

The Plainsmen will also face Gering, NE in the boys title game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.

As a reminder both games will be an online only stream at www.network1sports.com/station/kowbnet. Click the headphone icon to make the stream pop open.

David Settle and VerDon Hoopes will call all the action with the broadcast starting at 1:00 p.m.