Sports

Aurora freshman Jaxson Slagle goes up strong for two of his team-high 16 points in Thursday’s dramatic 49-48 win over Omaha Skutt. Slagle hit the game-winning shot as time expired.

Aurora freshman Jaxson Slagle goes up strong for two of his team-high 16 points in Thursday’s dramatic 49-48 win over Omaha Skutt. Slagle hit the game-winning shot as time expired.

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Slagle heroics spark comeback victory over Skutt

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Jaxson Slagle was one cool cucumber when it counted on a frigid night in February. The Aurora freshman stepped up when his teammates needed him, and then some, scoring 10 clutch points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer to shock Class B’s No.
Gage Friesen let some rare emotion come out after his state championship victory while coaches Martin Phillips (right) and Corbey Grause celebrate in the background.

Gage Friesen let some rare emotion come out after his state championship victory while coaches Martin Phillips (right) and Corbey Grause celebrate in the background.

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The Friesen season

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Gage Friesen can’t shoot a basketball. Never really gave wrestling a shot growing up, either.His dad really wanted him to try wrestling. At the time, new High Plains wrestling coach Martin Phillips begged him to give it a go in middle school. “My dad wanted me to try wrestling,” Friesen said.
Aurora’s Logan Svoboda finished second in Class B’s 126-pound bracket at the State Wrestling Tournament in Omaha.

Aurora’s Logan Svoboda finished second in Class B’s 126-pound bracket at the State Wrestling Tournament in Omaha.

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Silver for Svoboda at state

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The Svoboda family knows what it’s like to win a state wrestling championship. Father and son -- Chad and Caden -- also know the devastation of losing one. Dad and older brother knew exactly how Logan Svoboda felt Saturday night, falling just short of a state championship victory.
HPC wrestler Gage Friesen gets a celebratory embrace from coach Martin Phillips after winning the 150-pound Class D weight class at the state tournament.

HPC wrestler Gage Friesen gets a celebratory embrace from coach Martin Phillips after winning the 150-pound Class D weight class at the state tournament.

The BigRich Sports Report

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The curse hanging over the High Plains wrestling team and maybe more specifically coach Martin Phillips was lifted Saturday night. That’s written with a bit of jest, but also with each yearly blow in the state wrestling finals felt all the more real.
Hampton’s Gavin Gilmore is closely defended by Giltner’s Avery Reeson.

Hampton’s Gavin Gilmore is closely defended by Giltner’s Avery Reeson.

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Hawks and Hornets: The great rivalry

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The season records didn’t matter Friday night when Giltner and Hampton’s girls basketball teams locked wings.The lead swapped back and forth for much of the night before a second-half run from the Hawks was too much for the Hornets to overcome.
Logan Svoboda won his second district championship over the weekend in Blair.

Logan Svoboda won his second district championship over the weekend in Blair.

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Huskies qualify five for state

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Logan Svoboda’s trip to a district title Saturday wasn’t nearly as treacherous as the weather conditions outside.The Husky sophomore won his second district championship Saturday in Blair, highlighting five wrestlers qualifying for this week’s state wrestling championships.
The BigRich Sports Report

The BigRich Sports Report

Valentine's Day breakup

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
I was heartbroken this Valentine’s Day.Two great loves of mine got together one final time. Purple and Orange. It may never be the same again. Breakups are hard, man.A rivalry that spans generations, deeply rooted in family trees.
Aurora’s Caly Settles celebrates with coach Sheri Thompson after surviving the heartbreak round to officially qualify for the state wrestling championships in Omaha.

Aurora’s Caly Settles celebrates with coach Sheri Thompson after surviving the heartbreak round to officially qualify for the state wrestling championships in Omaha.

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Lady Huskies punch four tickets to state

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Aurora returns a veteran to the state championship floor while bringing along three newcomers ready for the show.The Lady Huskies qualified four wrestlers for next week’s state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha after a top five team effort at the B-1 district meet in Ord.
Dakota Gress survived the heartbreak round and will make her second appearance at the state wrestling championships.

Dakota Gress survived the heartbreak round and will make her second appearance at the state wrestling championships.

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Gress sisters headed to state wrestling

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The High Plains girls wrestling team had a 100 percent success rate in qualifying its team for the state meet.The Gress sisters had nearly identical runs through the B-1 district meet in Ord, with matching third place efforts as both qualified for next week’s state wrestling championships in Omaha.
The BigRich Sports Report

The BigRich Sports Report

Enjoy the game

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Anyone out there see that thrilling, edge-of-your seat game Sunday that provided yet another reason why sports are the best?I couldn’t turn it off. I was mesmerized by the tough defensive effort and yes, offput by some of the calls from the stripes.