Sports

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.

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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.

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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.
Aurora’s Maddie Ramaekers (12) and Paisley Bartek (15) are among a cluster battling for a rebound during Monday’s 68-41 win over Omaha Roncalli.

Aurora’s Maddie Ramaekers (12) and Paisley Bartek (15) are among a cluster battling for a rebound during Monday’s 68-41 win over Omaha Roncalli.

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Lady Huskies roll Roncalli

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Nearly a week out of the gym and nine days between games did little to slow down Aurora’s offensive attack.The Lady Huskies were on it from the tip Monday morning in the opening round of the Ashland-Greenwood holiday tournament, racking up 22 first-quarter points in a 68-41 win over Omaha Roncalli.
Aurora’s Ryan Staehr splits two Omaha Roncalli defenders on a dribble-drive second half play during a 54-41 loss to the Crimson Pride Monday.

Aurora’s Ryan Staehr splits two Omaha Roncalli defenders on a dribble-drive second half play during a 54-41 loss to the Crimson Pride Monday.

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Slow start dooms Huskies in 1st round of holiday tourney

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
A tough start offensively and a high-pressure attack from Omaha Roncalli was too much for Aurora to overcome Monday.
Aurora’s Kaitlyn Staehr (11) and Maddie Ramaekers (12) battle for an offensive rebound between two Northwest defenders during the Huskies’ 52-48 win over the Vikings Saturday, improving its record to 4-2 on the season.

Aurora’s Kaitlyn Staehr (11) and Maddie Ramaekers (12) battle for an offensive rebound between two Northwest defenders during the Huskies’ 52-48 win over the Vikings Saturday, improving its record to 4-2 on the season.

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Lady Huskies bite Dukes, Vikings

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
It’s been nearly two decades since the Aurora girls basketball team has defeated rivals York and Northwest in the same season. The 2025-26 version of the Lady Huskies did so in the same weekend.
Giltner/Harvard’s Peyton Schutt (11) led the way with 20 points and eight rebounds during a 54-45 win at home over High Plains Friday. Schutt is shown here guarded by HPC’s Taya Hans.

Giltner/Harvard’s Peyton Schutt (11) led the way with 20 points and eight rebounds during a 54-45 win at home over High Plains Friday. Schutt is shown here guarded by HPC’s Taya Hans.

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Giltner/Harvard rallies past HPC

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Foul trouble wasn’t enough to slow down Peyton Schutt Friday night.The Giltner/Harvard sophomore sat for much of the game with early foul trouble, but still managed 20 points and eight rebounds in a 54-45 come-from-behind effort over rival High Plains.
Aurora junior Logan Svoboda collected his 100th career win Friday in Platteview, adding to his currently unblemished 18-0 record this season. Svoboda is pictured above, wrestling up a weight class, defeating Minden’s Isaac Reed Thursday.

Aurora junior Logan Svoboda collected his 100th career win Friday in Platteview, adding to his currently unblemished 18-0 record this season. Svoboda is pictured above, wrestling up a weight class, defeating Minden’s Isaac Reed Thursday.

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Svoboda collects 100th career win for Aurora

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Logan Svoboda hit a career milestone on an otherwise normal Friday afternoon.The Husky junior collected his 100th career win during Friday’s Platteview tournament, eventually going on to win his 132-pound bracket and remain unbeaten for the 2025-26 season.
BigRich plays Santa

BigRich plays Santa

BigRich’s Christmas

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
That time again already?Santa BigRich has been super busy since carving turkey, updating the naughty and nice lists from area players and coaches hopeful for that special present under the tree.There’s been a lot, so buckle your jingle bells and let’s get started.