Basketball

Giltner’s Jacob Smith fights through contact in the paint during a 43-32 loss to Heartland Lutheran Feb. 23.

Giltner’s Jacob Smith fights through contact in the paint during a 43-32 loss to Heartland Lutheran Feb. 23.

Hornets struggle in season-ending loss to Heartland Lutheran

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
A sour night offensively spelled the end of Giltner’s basketball run.  The Hornets struggled with turnovers and scoring for much of the night as Heartland Lutheran picked up a 43-32 win over Giltner Feb. 23 in the D2-7 subdistrict tournament.
Aurora’s Jameson Herzberg scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half of the Huskies’ 45-43 win against York Monday night.

Aurora’s Jameson Herzberg scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half of the Huskies’ 45-43 win against York Monday night.

Herzberg heroics hold off York upset effort Monday night

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
While he didn’t make the game-winning shot, Jameson Herzberg called game Monday night.  The senior Husky scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half, including the game-winning assist as Aurora survived an upset effort from York 45-43 in the B-6 subdistrict semifinals.
Hampton senior Lexi Wolinski hustles the ball up court in transition, while Giltner senior Alice Wiles (left) follows the play.

Hampton senior Lexi Wolinski hustles the ball up court in transition, while Giltner senior Alice Wiles (left) follows the play.

Lady Hawks use pressure to overpower Hornets

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Hampton and Giltner squared off for a good old fashioned cross-county CRC showdown in the regular season finale Friday, with the visiting Lady Hawks claiming a 45-30 victory.
Giltner senior Camden Humphrey is off to the races on a fastbreak, with teammate Nate Leichty and Hampton defender Jake Arndt following the play.

Giltner senior Camden Humphrey is off to the races on a fastbreak, with teammate Nate Leichty and Hampton defender Jake Arndt following the play.

Hornets overcome early Hawk surge in home win

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
The Giltner boys gave the home crowd something to cheer about on senior night Friday, posting the sixth win of the season with a convincing 53-30 victory over Hampton.
Cassidy Knust scored 20 points, but it wasn’t enough in Aurora’s 55-49 loss to GINW in Monday’s B-6 subdistrict game.

Cassidy Knust scored 20 points, but it wasn’t enough in Aurora’s 55-49 loss to GINW in Monday’s B-6 subdistrict game.

Lady Huskies lose late lead Monday

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
A 20-point effort from Cassidy Knust wasn’t enough for the Lady Huskies to pull a potential upset.  A huge rally from No. 2 Grand Island Northwest in the fourth quarter catapulted the Vikings to a 55-49 win over No. 3 Aurora in the semifinals of the B-6 subdistrict tournament played Monday at York.
Aurora’s Cassidy Knust was flawless at the free throw line -- 15 of 15 -- in a 56-52 overtime win against Waverly.

Aurora’s Cassidy Knust was flawless at the free throw line -- 15 of 15 -- in a 56-52 overtime win against Waverly.

Knust ices OT win at the line

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Cassidy Knust proved once again to have ice water pumping through her veins with her impressive statline Friday night.  The Aurora senior had a game-high 22 points, including a perfect 15 of 15 from the free throw line in the Lady Huskies’ 56-52 overtime win at home over Waverly.
Lane Urkoski puts up a floater on the baseline during High Plains’ loss to BDS in the CRC tournament.

Lane Urkoski puts up a floater on the baseline during High Plains’ loss to BDS in the CRC tournament.

Storm falls to BDS at CRC

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
A delay of several days didn’t help High Plains much on the floor last week.  Its game against BDS in the opening round of the CRC tournament was supposed to be played Jan. 23, but a major winter storm that came through last week pushed it all the way to Jan. 27.
A battle for a loose ball gets intense as Aurora’s Raina Cattau (middle) holds on for dear life as teammate Cassidy Knust comes in to assist.

A battle for a loose ball gets intense as Aurora’s Raina Cattau (middle) holds on for dear life as teammate Cassidy Knust comes in to assist.

Duke attack too much for Lady Huskies in CC tourney

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Aurora put together a solid Central Conference tournament run, finishing with a 2-1 record heading to the final third of the year.  The Lady Huskies posted wins over Seward and Schuyler while ending up on the wrong end of a road contest at York.
Aurora’s Tate Nachtigal battles near the bucket during the Huskies’ 53-38 loss to Adams Central in the CC finals.

Aurora’s Tate Nachtigal battles near the bucket during the Huskies’ 53-38 loss to Adams Central in the CC finals.

Huskies fall short in conference title

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Saturday’s Central Conference championship bout between Aurora and Adams Central had all the makings for a heavyweight fight.  In the end, Adams Central delivered several knockout blows in a winning effort.