2A State Championship Game in Manhattan Saturday, March 11th 

The best season in Riverside basketball history came to a close with a second place team trophy after falling in the title game to Berean Academy 48-31. The Cyclones completed a 22-4 season with their first sub-state championship and state appearance and then made it to the final with exciting second half wins against Wichita Independent and a huge 18-point comeback to upset # 1 ranked and unbeaten Pittsburg Colgan in overtime. However, despite an 11-2 start to the championship, Riverside trailed by three points at halftime and ran out of gas in the second half playing their third game in as many days. 

Riverside made just 10 total shots in the title game and was outscored 10-2 in the second quarter as well as 15-6 in the third frame when the game got away. Taylor Weishaar had 8 rebounds and 16 points to finish with 59 total points in the three state games while Sophie Juhl added 7 points and Halle Studer and Niahla Duncan each hit a lone three-pointer on Saturday. 

Berean Academy finished with a 30-15 advantage on the boards and completed their season 25-1 to capture their first state title since 2008. Lillie Veer scored 19 points and Tayton Smith had 17 for the Warriors, who played great defense holding all three state opponents to 31 or less. 

Riverside, played only one senior off the bench, and after beating every Big 7 team and finishing runner-up this year in the League, will be a favorite heading into next season under Coach Craig Burnes.