Sports

Aurora’s bench celebrates a made bucket during the Lady Huskies’ 52-35 win at Kearney Catholic Thursday. Aurora enters this week’s Central Conference tournament as the No. 1 seed.

Aurora’s bench celebrates a made bucket during the Lady Huskies’ 52-35 win at Kearney Catholic Thursday. Aurora enters this week’s Central Conference tournament as the No. 1 seed.

Aurora gets back on winning track

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The Aurora girls basketball team re-gained some momentum ahead of this week’s Central Conference tournament.The Lady Huskies used a balanced offensive attack on the road Thursday, downing Kearney Catholic 52-35.
Aurora’s Canon Allen drives around the Kearney Catholic defense in a 68-30 win over the Stars. Allen was a perfect 5-for-5 in the game shooting with 14 points for the Huskies.

Aurora’s Canon Allen drives around the Kearney Catholic defense in a 68-30 win over the Stars. Allen was a perfect 5-for-5 in the game shooting with 14 points for the Huskies.

Aurora soars past Stars with highlight offense

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
As temperatures plummeted outside, Aurora’s offense was red-hot all night long.The Huskies rattled off 31 first quarter points, made 12 three-point field goals and shot 52 percent from the field in a dominating 68-30 win at Kearney Catholic Thursday.
Hampton welcomed back former volleyball players and coaches from its state tournament qualifying and championship teams Friday night, honoring them in between H&H basketball games. Pictured above are members of Hampton’s 2016 state championship team, including from left: Madison (VanHousen) Reimers, Jacey Klassen, Tayler (Klassen) Nissen, Ashlynn (Arndt) Orr.

Hampton welcomed back former volleyball players and coaches from its state tournament qualifying and championship teams Friday night, honoring them in between H&H basketball games. Pictured above are members of Hampton’s 2016 state championship team, including from left: Madison (VanHousen) Reimers, Jacey Klassen, Tayler (Klassen) Nissen, Ashlynn (Arndt) Orr.

Hampton celebrates volleyball tradition

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Hampton’s rich program tradition and volleyball excellence was on full display Friday night. In between a H&H basketball doubleheader, Hampton celebrated and recognized its volleyball heritage with over 50 former players and coaches back in the land of purple and gold. The memories were overflowing.
The Aurora girls bench celebrates after a made three during its 52-35 win at Kearney Catholic Thursday.

The Aurora girls bench celebrates after a made three during its 52-35 win at Kearney Catholic Thursday.

Huskies soar past Stars

Richard Rhoden
Friday, January 23, 2026
Chilly outside temperatures didn't stop Aurora's two offenses Thursday night at Kearney Catholic.The Aurora girls used a balanced offensive attack to get back in the win column with a 52-35 win while the boys buried 12 three-pointers in a convincing 68-30 victory over the Stars.
Aurora coach Scott Phillips is all fired up for his team forcing a defensive turnover in the back court during the Huskies’ 43-34 loss to Class C1 No. 1 Milford Thursday.

Aurora coach Scott Phillips is all fired up for his team forcing a defensive turnover in the back court during the Huskies’ 43-34 loss to Class C1 No. 1 Milford Thursday.

Aurora upset bid falls short at home

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
With three minutes to play, newly ranked Class B No. 8 Aurora was tied with Class C1’s top ranked team. The comeback just didn’t have enough steam.From that point, Milford finished the game on a 12-3 run to escape Aurora with a 43-34 win over the Huskies, moving its overall record to 14-1.
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.