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ANR

Aurora alumni tournament set for tipoff this weekend

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
by Richard RhodenThe 35th edition of the Bill Kropp and Curly Penner Memorial Alumni Basketball Tournament is set for tipoff Saturday morning with the Class of 2018 looking for a three-peat.The Class of 2018 defeated the combo class of 2008/10 last season, 39-29.
Maddix Fuhrman (34) was tough to defend for Walthill, scoring 12 points on six of seven shooting, but the Blujays got the last laugh on its home floor with a 73-52 win Feb. 27 in the D2-4 district final.

Maddix Fuhrman (34) was tough to defend for Walthill, scoring 12 points on six of seven shooting, but the Blujays got the last laugh on its home floor with a 73-52 win Feb. 27 in the D2-4 district final.

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Storm unable to pull district final upset

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The ferocious pace Walthill brought to the hardwood was just too much for High Plains to overcome.There was no upset to be had as Walthill’s fantastic shooting night led the Blujays to a 73-52 win over the Storm in the D2-4 district final Feb.
Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

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The BigRich Sports Report

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
“I love Baylor Scheierman! God Bless Aurora, Nebraska!”The words of John Bishop, voice of the Creighton Bluejays, echoed throughout the state on Saturday afternoon but were loudest right here in Hamilton County.Fifty-five is our guy. We love him, too.
Graham Christensen was inserted into Aurora’s starting lineup for postseason play, totaling seven points against Scotus Thursday.

Graham Christensen was inserted into Aurora’s starting lineup for postseason play, totaling seven points against Scotus Thursday.

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Aurora offense falters in season-ending defeat

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Aurora was unable to shoot its way out of a Thursday night slump in time to save its season.The magical postseason run for Columbus Scotus continued, winning the C1-6 subdistrict final played at Fillmore Central in a 38-27 contest. Scotus began the tournament as the No. 4 seed in the play-in game.
High Plains junior Rylee Ackerson finds a bit of space in the lane during the Storm’s first-ever district final Friday. This year’s HPC girls set several records, including season wins (16).

High Plains junior Rylee Ackerson finds a bit of space in the lane during the Storm’s first-ever district final Friday. This year’s HPC girls set several records, including season wins (16).

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Storm girls boxed out of state tourney

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
The winningest season in High Plains girls basketball history was a single game short of even more history.HPC made the long road trek west to Sandhills-Thedford for the D2-5 district final Friday night as the more experienced Knights group handled the up-and-coming Storm, 54-28.
Aurora senior Lance Russell receives a motivational message from his coach, Martin Phillips after suffering a shoulder injury early in his finals match and had injury time run out on his chances.

Aurora senior Lance Russell receives a motivational message from his coach, Martin Phillips after suffering a shoulder injury early in his finals match and had injury time run out on his chances.

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Warrior mentality

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Lance Russell fell short of his ultimate goal Saturday afternoon but proved to a packed CHI Health Center crowd and statewide television audience what he was willing to do to be a state champion.
Logan Svoboda was all smiles as his hand was raised Saturday, rallying from a semifinal loss the night before to finish third at the state wrestling championships, the best finish in school history for a freshman.

Logan Svoboda was all smiles as his hand was raised Saturday, rallying from a semifinal loss the night before to finish third at the state wrestling championships, the best finish in school history for a freshman.

Svoboda rallies for bronze medal finish Saturday

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Logan Svoboda did something over the weekend no one else in his family or those who wore the Husky singlet can claim.The Aurora freshman picked up a third place finish at the NSAA state wrestling championships from the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
HPC coaches Fred Church (left) and Martin Phillips react as time runs out on Wyatt Urkoski’s finals match, finishing second and seeing his undefeated campaign end with a loss.

HPC coaches Fred Church (left) and Martin Phillips react as time runs out on Wyatt Urkoski’s finals match, finishing second and seeing his undefeated campaign end with a loss.

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Saturday’s storm became a nightmare

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
The backstage area of the CHI Health Center in Omaha was cold and dimly lit Saturday night. Closer to the main arena entrance, jubilant wrestlers left the floor to celebrate winning a state championship, a pool of reporters and TV cameras surrounding kids for an out-of-breath sound byte.
With a third place finish, Aurora's Logan Svoboda is the Huskies' highest finishing freshman in school history.

With a third place finish, Aurora's Logan Svoboda is the Huskies' highest finishing freshman in school history.

Saturday morning medals

Richard Rhoden
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Area wrestlers earned three medals during Saturday morning's medal rounds at the state wrestling championships in Omaha.Aurora's Logan Svoboda and HPC's Gage Friesen each earned bronze medals in their respective brackets while HPC's Hudson Urkoski added a fifth place effort.
Wyatt Urkoski will put his undefeated record on the line one more time in Saturday's final after an 8-3 win in Friday's semifinal.

Wyatt Urkoski will put his undefeated record on the line one more time in Saturday's final after an 8-3 win in Friday's semifinal.

High Plains state wrestling day 2

Richard Rhoden
Friday, February 16, 2024
High Plains saw its share of successes in Friday night's emotional semifinal round.Of its three semifinalists, two pushed through to the finals while all four of its boys qualifiers will leave Omaha with a medal.