Sports

HPC senior Javier Marino will make his third trip to the state championships this week after a runner-up effort at districts.

HPC senior Javier Marino will make his third trip to the state championships this week after a runner-up effort at districts.

HPC Storm wrestlers sending four to state championships

High Plains has been battle tested all year long. Those experiences paid off over the weekend.  The Storm punched four tickets to this week’s Class D boys state wrestling tournament with a seventh place effort at the D-2 district meet in Pleasanton.
Aurora senior Taylor Janda attacks the lane during the second half of the Lady Huskies’ 43-32 win over Crete Thursday.

Aurora senior Taylor Janda attacks the lane during the second half of the Lady Huskies’ 43-32 win over Crete Thursday.

Lady Huskies grind out win over Crete on senior night

Aurora’s girls basketball team was all smiles Thursday night.  A win on senior night was just the beginning. As the girls put it walking off the floor, they have a winning streak.
Hampton’s bench celebrates after a made bucket during the second half of its 52-36 win over rival Giltner on senior night Friday.

Hampton’s bench celebrates after a made bucket during the second half of its 52-36 win over rival Giltner on senior night Friday.

Lady Hawks win emotional finale against Giltner

Friday’s regular season finale was anything but the normal cross-county showdown between Hampton and Giltner’s girls.
Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

Thank you, coach Ed

Kyle Ediger never let the emotions of a game get too high or too low.  In front of a packed house Friday night, though, the Hampton grad, teacher and coach surely had a little extra juice.  It still makes no sense. It’s hard to wrap your head around.
Aurora will compete in Class C-1 for the next NSAA two-year cycle.

Aurora will compete in Class C-1 for the next NSAA two-year cycle.

NSAA football schedules released

The Nebraska Schools Activities Association released the 2022-2023 high school football schedules on Wednesday morning.
Aurora’s bench went bonkers after Rylee Olsen sank the game-winning three-point shot in Saturday’s win over Lexington.

Aurora’s bench went bonkers after Rylee Olsen sank the game-winning three-point shot in Saturday’s win over Lexington.

Olsen swishes final dagger

Rylee Olsen isn’t Aurora’s top option from behind the arc. Sometimes, though, the clutch gene outweighs everything else.  The Aurora senior swished a three from the top of the key with 43 seconds left to help the Lady Huskies take down Lexington 42-39 Saturday at home.
Carsen Staehr put together a career afternoon Saturday against Lexington, totaling 27 points while going six of six from three-point range.

Carsen Staehr put together a career afternoon Saturday against Lexington, totaling 27 points while going six of six from three-point range.

Huskies find shooting touch

Carsen Staehr’s efforts Saturday may be proof of Aurora’s recent offensive woes clearly in the rear-view mirror.  Staehr had a career day, bagging 27 points on nine of 12 shooting while going a perfect six of six from three-point range as the Huskies downed Lexington 72-50 on its home floor.
Kaylee Crosby signed her letter of intent to run track at Nebraska Wesleyan with her parents, Mike and Carrie as well as Aurora coaches Gordon Wilson and Kelly Boshart and younger brother, Kayden.

Kaylee Crosby signed her letter of intent to run track at Nebraska Wesleyan with her parents, Mike and Carrie as well as Aurora coaches Gordon Wilson and Kelly Boshart and younger brother, Kayden.

Speedster Crosby set to join Nebraska Wesleyan track

Kaylee Crosby has come a long way from hosting her own track meets as a young athlete, dreaming of the big stage.  The Aurora senior has been to Omaha Burke and done well against the state’s best. Now, she has an opportunity to compete at the next level.
Dave Bradley

Dave Bradley

What’s your name?

It’s time we put a bow around this year’s college football recruiting season, so here are some of the recent recruits who signed on the dotted line for 2022 making my All-Name team: I’ll start off with Jeffry M’ba of Auburn. Interesting last name to say the least.
Natalie Bisbee was almost shocked as she qualified for the state wrestling tournament.

Natalie Bisbee was almost shocked as she qualified for the state wrestling tournament.

Straight six

Aurora had five opportunities to qualify for the first-ever NSAA girls state wrestling tournament.  The Lady Huskies had a 100 percent success rate.  Aurora will send five athletes to the inaugural girls state wrestling tournament in Omaha Feb.