Sports

Aurora’s Taylor Janda extends from third on a pitch during a 6-4 loss to Bennington in the B-3 district final Friday.

Aurora’s Taylor Janda extends from third on a pitch during a 6-4 loss to Bennington in the B-3 district final Friday.

Upset-minded Huskies fall short

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Aurora gave a whale of an effort, but it just wasn’t meant to be.  The Lady Huskies had upset on their minds Friday, but Bennington was too much to handle as the Badgers won the B-3 District softball title with wins of 6-4 and 10-0 to qualify for state and end Aurora’s season.
HPC's Javier Marino and Lane Urkoski combined for 8 scores in the Storm's 86-34 win over Nebraska Lutheran.

HPC's Javier Marino and Lane Urkoski combined for 8 scores in the Storm's 86-34 win over Nebraska Lutheran.

Friday night roundup week 7

Richard Rhoden
Friday, October 8, 2021
The High Plains scoreboard operator was busy Friday night as the Storm's 86 points highlighted the area's performance in week seven.  The Storm won its third game this season in second in a row over Nebraska Lutheran 86-34 Friday, using eight total touchdowns from Javier Marino and Lane Urkoski.
Bennington bested Aurora in two games to win the B-3 district title Friday afternoon.

Bennington bested Aurora in two games to win the B-3 district title Friday afternoon.

Aurora unable to upset Bennington

Richard Rhoden
Friday, October 8, 2021
Aurora gave a whale of an effort, but it just wasn't meant to be.  The Lady Huskies had upset on their minds Friday, but Bennington was too much to handle as the Badgers won the B-3 district softball title to qualify for state and end Aurora's season.
Rachel Hunter high fives Aurora's little diggers in attendance of Thursday's five-set thriller with Hastings.

Rachel Hunter high fives Aurora's little diggers in attendance of Thursday's five-set thriller with Hastings.

Hastings rallies past Aurora in five

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Senior night was full of wild momentum swings, tense moments and even a few light-hearted high fives with the kids.  Yet, by night's end, the visiting Hastings Tigers spoiled Aurora's night, defeating the Lady Huskies in five, 26-24, 13-25, 25-20, 25-27 and 15-11.
From left, Mack Owens, Caden Carlson, Carlos Collazo and Bryce Barger converge on McCook punter, ultimately tackling him for a safety.

From left, Mack Owens, Caden Carlson, Carlos Collazo and Bryce Barger converge on McCook punter, ultimately tackling him for a safety.

Fast start leads to fourth straight Husky win

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Aurora jumped out to a fast start and dominated McCook in nearly every phase of the game Friday, though coach Kyle Peterson said the Huskies didn’t take the steps forward he was hoping to see in a 32-10 win over the Bison.
Nebraska co-captain Austin Allen is all smiles for teammate running back Ramir Johnson after his touchdown run in the second quarter of Nebraska’s 56-7 drubbing of Northwestern Saturday night.

Nebraska co-captain Austin Allen is all smiles for teammate running back Ramir Johnson after his touchdown run in the second quarter of Nebraska’s 56-7 drubbing of Northwestern Saturday night.

Saturday night magic -- winning fixes everything

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
My mind raced faster than the Memorial Stadium light show ahead of the fourth quarter.  While Saturday’s 56-7 drubbing of the defending Big Ten West champs Northwestern evoked shock, awe, pride and celebration, I wondered: Is this what it was like to watch Nebraska in the 90s?
Evan Pankoke clears the runway for Justin Gyhra toward the end zone during Hampton’s 58-18 win at Heartland Lutheran Friday night.

Evan Pankoke clears the runway for Justin Gyhra toward the end zone during Hampton’s 58-18 win at Heartland Lutheran Friday night.

Hawks building momentum with back to back victories

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
The Hawks are soaring higher than ever in recent memory.  Hampton’s football team dominated its way to a second victory in a row out of its bye week, taking a 58-18 win at Heartland Lutheran Friday night.
Hampton's defense held a shutout through three-plus quarters in a 58-18 win over Heartland Lutheran.

Hampton's defense held a shutout through three-plus quarters in a 58-18 win over Heartland Lutheran.

Friday night roundup week 6

Richard Rhoden
Friday, October 1, 2021
Scoring points and a lot of them was big around the Hamilton County area as three of the four teams picked up wins Friday night.  Aurora won its fourth game in a row on the season over McCook at home while Hampton and HPC each picked up road victories.
Kylie Mersch was a force for Hampton on the outside in a sweep of Red Cloud.

Kylie Mersch was a force for Hampton on the outside in a sweep of Red Cloud.

Lady Hawks sweep Red Cloud

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, September 30, 2021
The brooms were out and ready on Hampton's Senior Night.  The Lady Hawks used one of its best serving nights of the season to defeat Red Cloud in three sets, 25-15, 25-14 and 25-23 Thursday at home.  After two dominant sets, the third was much more difficult.