Sports

Richard Rhoden

A sweet fadeaway

Richard Rhoden

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

I’ve never been more sure about a fadeaway jumper in my lifetime than Saturday night, with one eye open cowering behind my couch.The game, season and his career hanging in the balance, Baylor Scheierman went to a move he’s mastered, having worked on it thousands of times.

Aurora’s Thomas Brandl tries to slow down the Schuyler offense in the midfield during Thursday’s home opener.

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Husky soccer wins two for York Invite title

Richard Rhoden

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The Aurora boys soccer team came up in the clutch Saturday afternoon.The Huskies picked up its first win of the season en route to being the York Invite champs with a 2-0 win over Nebraska City and a 3-2 shootout victory over The Platte.

The Class of 2022/23’s Preston Ramaekers dribbles past 2018’s Ian Boerkircher during the Aurora alumni tournament final Sunday as 22/23 ended the winning run of 2018, 43-22.

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The new kids on the block

Richard Rhoden

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

There was no three-peat Sunday. The new kids on the block took home the crowd.The Class of 2022/23 denied 2018 its potential three-in-a-row bid Sunday, forcing a mercy rule in the final, 43-22 to round out the 35th annual Bill Kropp and Curly Penner Aurora Alumni Tournament.

Lucas Gautier signed a letter of intent to run track and field at Doane University March 5 alongside his parents, Jessica Gautier and Chad Salmon, Aurora cross country coach Tony Sigler, Doane track coach Ed Fye and Aurora track coach Gordon Wilson.

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Gautier running toward adventure at Doane

Richard Rhoden

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Lucas Gautier will have to add an orange headband to his repertoire for the near future.The Aurora senior made his college decision official last week, choosing to continue his academic as well as track and field career at Doane University.

Wyatt Urkoski signed a letter of intent to play football at Doane University Feb. 22. Urkoski was joined by his parents, Kevin and Shelly, HPC football coach Greg Wood and Doane football coach Jonathan Johnson.

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Urkoski brothers joining forces at Doane U

Richard Rhoden

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Family and football mean everything to Wyatt Urkoski. The HPC Storm senior made that clear in his first comment after signing his letter of intent to continue his academic and football career at Doane University Feb. 22.

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.

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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

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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.

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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).

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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.