Sidney, Scottsbluff earn top seeds in respective district tournaments

District basketball tips off Monday. Sidney, Alliance, Gering and Scottsbluff all begin semifinal action with state tournament berths on the line later this week.

February 21, 2026Updated: February 21, 2026
News Channel NebraskaBy News Channel Nebraska

Photo Courtesy: Donna Wiedeburg / Sidney Public Schools

SIDNEY, Neb. — Four western Nebraska programs will take the floor this week with a trip to the Nebraska School Activities Association Girls State Basketball Tournament on the line.

District tournament games start Monday across the state with championship matchups set for Saturday. The winner of each district bracket advances to the state tournament March 4-7 in Lincoln.

In District B-5, top-seeded Sidney (17-5) awaits the winner of Monday’s opening-round matchup between No. 4 Omaha Mercy (9-14) and No. 5 Ralston (2-21). The Lady Raiders will play at Lexington their semifinal Wednesday at 5 p.m. CT. On the opposite side of the bracket, No. 3 Seward (11-10) travels to face No. 2 Gretna (13-9), with the winners meeting Saturday at 2 p.m. CT for the district title.

Scottsbluff headlines District B-7 as the No. 1 seed at 15-8. The Bearcats host No. 4 McCook (8-14) on Tuesday. In the other semifinal, No. 3 Lincoln Standing Bear (9-13) travels to No. 2 Blair (16-6).

Alliance competes in District B-1 as the No. 4 seed (5-19). The Bulldogs open play Monday against No. 5 Plattsmouth (5-17). If Alliance advances, it would face top-seeded Norris (20-3) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT. No. 3 Adams Central (12-9) and No. 2 Waverly (12-9) meet in the other semifinal, with Saturday’s championship set for 2 p.m. CT.

Gering enters District B-6 as the No. 3 seed at 10-14. The Bulldogs travel to face No. 2 Omaha Skutt Catholic (13-10) on Tuesday at 4 p.m. CT in Hastings. On the top side of the bracket, No. 4 Omaha Duchesne Academy (10-13) plays No. 5 Schuyler (0-22), with the winner advancing to meet No. 1 Beatrice (16-6). The district championship is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. CT.

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