High Plains Storm

Left-High Plains 6-1 junior Kyler Hans (1) drives into the teeth of the Shelby-RC defense during Saturday’s Polk County match up in Polk

Left-High Plains 6-1 junior Kyler Hans (1) drives into the teeth of the Shelby-RC defense during Saturday’s Polk County match up in Polk

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Storm’s Strong Second Half Leads to 10-Point Win Over SRC Huskies

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
POLK - The Storm pulled out the win against the Huskies, 53-43.The game started close with the Storm leading by a free throw. Brodey Spurling led with four points for them, with Layne Donner getting five (including a three) for the Huskies. It was 10-9 after a quarter.
Junior Kaleigh Ruth (5) drives to the basket. Ruth scored eight of her 13 points in OT and she hauled in 14 rebounds in the Huskies win on Saturday. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Junior Kaleigh Ruth (5) drives to the basket. Ruth scored eight of her 13 points in OT and she hauled in 14 rebounds in the Huskies win on Saturday. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Huskies Win OT Thriller Over Storm in Polk

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
POLK - It was an exciting game in Polk, but the Lady Huskies won in overtime against the Storm 39-32.High Plains took the early lead, but just by a free throw. Peyton Hofmann led the Storm with five points, while Hayden Hopwood started with four for the Huskies. It was 8-7 after a quarter.
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

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PCN Athletes of the Week for Jan. 8, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors. Chase OwensHigh Plains Storm senior Chase Owens averaged 18 points per game in two win last week.
Storm’s Aaron Brown is shown here competing at the Osceola Invite earlier this year. Brown scored six of the teams 11 points at the Pleasanton Invite this past weekend. PCN file photo by Travis Lane.

Storm’s Aaron Brown is shown here competing at the Osceola Invite earlier this year. Brown scored six of the teams 11 points at the Pleasanton Invite this past weekend. PCN file photo by Travis Lane.

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STORM SPENDS FIRST WEEKEND OF NEW YEAR IN PLEASANTON

Ken Kush
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
PLEASANTON- A total of 25 teams were in action at the Pleasanton Wrestling Invitational on Saturday.Class A Kearney was the invite champions as they slipped past Elm Creek 145.5 to 143.5.Loomis (120.5) was third, Twin Loup (107.5) was fourth and Arapahoe (106) took fifth place.
High Plains senior Dakota Gress has been the face of the Storm girls wrestling program the past four years and is looking for a third consecutive trip to the Nebraska Girls State Championships this coming February. Gress took third-place at the loaded Winnebago Invite this past Friday. PCN file photo by Ken Kush.

High Plains senior Dakota Gress has been the face of the Storm girls wrestling program the past four years and is looking for a third consecutive trip to the Nebraska Girls State Championships this coming February. Gress took third-place at the loaded Winnebago Invite this past Friday. PCN file photo by Ken Kush.

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High Plains’ Senior Dakota Gress Earns Third Place Medal at Winnebago Wrestling Invite

Ken Kush
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
WINNEBAGO- The Lexington Minutemaids and the Millard South Patriots battled for the top spot at the Winnebago Lady Invite on Saturday, with Lexington, by virtue of their win at 235 pounds edging Millard South 169.5 to 166.5 for the team title.
Peyton Hofmann shoots a free throw

Peyton Hofmann shoots a free throw

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High Plains Gets Two Wins at Elba

Beth Sparrow
Friday, January 2, 2026
GIRLSELBA - High Plains girls had no trouble with Elba as they brought home the win 51-29. That puts them at 4-5 before facing Shelby-Rising City (4-4) on Saturday at home.The Lady Storm took the early lead in the first quarter 13-7.
High Plains senior Peyton Hofmann (4) is shown here on the drive down the baseline against McCool Junction earlier this year. Hofmann led the Storm with 14 points in the 65-33 loss to Shelton last Tuesday. PCN file photo by Ken Kush

High Plains senior Peyton Hofmann (4) is shown here on the drive down the baseline against McCool Junction earlier this year. Hofmann led the Storm with 14 points in the 65-33 loss to Shelton last Tuesday. PCN file photo by Ken Kush

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STORM’S THIRD QUARTER COLLAPSE SPARKS SHELTON TO 65-33 WIN

Ken Kush
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
POLK- The High Plains girls basketball team was hoping to close out the pre-Christmas half of their basketball season on a winning note, but the Shelton Bulldogs had other ideas.

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Storm Boys Roll Over Shelton

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
POLK-After starting the season 1-4, the High Plains Storm boys basketball team has won three in a row, including last Tuesday night’s 66-41 final over the Shelton Bulldogs just before the Christmas break.
High Plains senbior Chase Owens (24) elevates and puts up the medium range jumper duringf Friday night’s game in Harvard between the Giltner/Harvard Hornets. Owens contributed seven points in the Storm’s win. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

High Plains senbior Chase Owens (24) elevates and puts up the medium range jumper duringf Friday night’s game in Harvard between the Giltner/Harvard Hornets. Owens contributed seven points in the Storm’s win. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Boys Have Solid Week -Improve to 3-4 with 2-0 Week

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
POLK - The Storm held on for a win at home, beating the Nebraska Christian Eagles 53-43.The first quarter the Storm took a slight lead, 10-9 before each team adding 13 in the second quarter for a half time score of 23-22.
High Plains freshman Brooklyn Welch (14) puts up the shot against the Giltner/Harvard defender during Friday night’s game in Harvard. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

High Plains freshman Brooklyn Welch (14) puts up the shot against the Giltner/Harvard defender during Friday night’s game in Harvard. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Girls Have Rough Week Going 0-2

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
POLK - Sheridan Falk and the Nebraska Christian Eagles were too much for the Lady Storm. The Eagles won 44-28 with Falk putting in 18 points.The Eagles started out with an early lead, 16-4 after one quarter. The second quarter was much more even, giving a 24-11 half time score.