Sports

Aurora’s Tucker Theriot battles for an offensive board in the Huskies’ win over Milford Thursday.

Aurora’s Tucker Theriot battles for an offensive board in the Huskies’ win over Milford Thursday.

Husky defense stands tall in comeback

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Down eight in its home locker room at halftime, Aurora’s senior leadership demanded better. Aurora coach Kevin Asher didn’t have to say much and in the post game crowd couldn’t have been more proud. What unfolded in the second half was the reason why.
Commentary by Sports Editor Richard Rhoden

Commentary by Sports Editor Richard Rhoden

No need to Google Cignetti

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Hoosier Natty. How can you not be romantic about that?Indiana, college football’s doormat for most of my lifetime and well beyond that, completed one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history Monday night, downing Miami 27-21 on the Hurricanes’ home field.
A scramble for the loose basketball between Aurora's Sam Jones (middle) Ryan Staehr (right) and Milford's Connor Adams.

A scramble for the loose basketball between Aurora's Sam Jones (middle) Ryan Staehr (right) and Milford's Connor Adams.

Aurora, Milford clash in classics

Richard Rhoden
Friday, January 16, 2026
Aurora and Milford played two thrillers Thursday night that provided basketball fans their entire monies worth.The Lady Huskies had the Class C1 No.
High Plains senior Dakota Gress became the first girls wrestler from the ANR coverage area to hit the 100 career win milestone Thursday during the Norm Manstedt Invite in Columbus. Gress is shown here battling Aurora’s Mia Leininger.

High Plains senior Dakota Gress became the first girls wrestler from the ANR coverage area to hit the 100 career win milestone Thursday during the Norm Manstedt Invite in Columbus. Gress is shown here battling Aurora’s Mia Leininger.

Gress makes history for High Plains

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Dakota Gress waited around nearly five hours before her first match Thursday, which became history.
Aurora’s Hailey Hoff dribbles around and through contact during the Huskies’ 55-23 home win over St. Paul Thursday.

Aurora’s Hailey Hoff dribbles around and through contact during the Huskies’ 55-23 home win over St. Paul Thursday.

Aurora races past Wildcats, Warriors

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Despite some time off from the court, the break did little to slow down Aurora’s offensive attack. The Lady Huskies crossed the 50-point plateau in a back-to-back doubleheader last week, downing St. Paul at home 55-23 Thursday before posting a 62-15 win at Schuyler Friday.
HPC's Dakota Gress (left) battles Aurora's Mia Leininger at Thursday's Norm Manstedt Invitational.

HPC's Dakota Gress (left) battles Aurora's Mia Leininger at Thursday's Norm Manstedt Invitational.

Gress makes history for High Plains

Richard Rhoden
Friday, January 9, 2026
Dakota Gress waited around nearly five hours before her first match Thursday, which became history.
This is the best illistration of what it may look like on the other end of a Sam Jones pass coming down the baseline in Aurora’s 54-35 win over Blair Saturday.

This is the best illistration of what it may look like on the other end of a Sam Jones pass coming down the baseline in Aurora’s 54-35 win over Blair Saturday.

Huskies get mojo back

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Saturday night in Gretna felt like a “get right” game for the Huskies.Following two losses at last week’s Ashland-Greenwood holiday tournament in which Aurora’s shooting percentage was at or below 30 percent for most of it, the Huskies found a rhythm in the first Hoops for Feek Classic in Gretna.
H&H sophomore Sophie Minary is completely surrounded by three Giltner/Harvard defenders, including Tabi Forney (far left), Peyton Schutt (11) and Kailyn Wilson (behind). G/H girls rallied for a 69-63 double overtime win over the Bearcats Friday.

H&H sophomore Sophie Minary is completely surrounded by three Giltner/Harvard defenders, including Tabi Forney (far left), Peyton Schutt (11) and Kailyn Wilson (behind). G/H girls rallied for a 69-63 double overtime win over the Bearcats Friday.

G/H downs H&H in an instant classic

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The calendar only showed January 2nd Friday night but two area teams decided to put together a game of the year candidate for 2026.Giltner and Hampton renewed its rivalry with a few more friends involved as Giltner/Harvard hosted the H&H Bearcats in an instant classic.
Hampton football’s impressive 27-24 win over Pawnee City in September earned BigRich’s game of the year for 2025. The Hawk win ended a 22-game win streak by the Indians.

Hampton football’s impressive 27-24 win over Pawnee City in September earned BigRich’s game of the year for 2025. The Hawk win ended a 22-game win streak by the Indians.

Hampton is top flight in 2025

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
We may have seen the last of the Hampton Hawks soaring proudly on the football field in 2025. If that’s the case, what a way to go out.