High Plains Storm

Storm senior Brodey Spurling skies as he tries to block the Fullerton Warriors shot attempt. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Storm senior Brodey Spurling skies as he tries to block the Fullerton Warriors shot attempt. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Lightning/Warriors Top Storm Boys

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
POLK – It was a tough start for the boys, as they lost Thursday and Saturday to Grand Island Lutheran and Fullerton. They lost to the Lightning by just 8, and by a larger amount to the Warriors.
Members of the High Plains boys basketball team include; Front (L-R); Jerry Carlson, Caleb Dubas, Cameron Reed, Carson Swedenburg Back- Saul Lopez Santos, Bowdy Glasser, Kyler Hans, Brodey Spurling, Colin Howell, Chase Owens. Not Pictured- Garyt Lesiak Schedule High Plains Basketball December

Members of the High Plains boys basketball team include; Front (L-R); Jerry Carlson, Caleb Dubas, Cameron Reed, Carson Swedenburg Back- Saul Lopez Santos, Bowdy Glasser, Kyler Hans, Brodey Spurling, Colin Howell, Chase Owens. Not Pictured- Garyt Lesiak Schedule High Plains Basketball December

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High Plains Boys Basketball Preview

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
POLK- In 2024-2025 the High Plains Storm offense averaged 54.4 points per game during a 15-8 season that was also marred by injuries to key players.
High Plains girls wrestling team members are sisters Dakota Gress, a senior and Bailey Gress, a junior. Both wrestlers hope to get back to state against this season. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

High Plains girls wrestling team members are sisters Dakota Gress, a senior and Bailey Gress, a junior. Both wrestlers hope to get back to state against this season. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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High Plains Girls Wrestling Preview

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
POLK-Nothing has changed in Polk as far as the girls wrestling team goes.The team will consists of sisters Dakota and Bailey Gress for the third consecutive year and they will be coached by Kent Franzen this season.
High Plains senior Dakota Gress will be looking for her third consecutive trip to the Nebraska Girls State Championships. PCN file photo by Travis Lane.

High Plains senior Dakota Gress will be looking for her third consecutive trip to the Nebraska Girls State Championships. PCN file photo by Travis Lane.

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QUEENS OF THE MAT

Ken Kush
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
TOP RETURNING FEMALE WRESTLERS FOR 2025-26STROMSBURG- When the 2025-26 girls high school wrestling season opens all four area teams will be represented by a girls team.
Senior Dakota Gress looks to find the opening in the Fillmore Central defense during last Thursday night’s triangular at Sandy Creek High School. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Senior Dakota Gress looks to find the opening in the Fillmore Central defense during last Thursday night’s triangular at Sandy Creek High School. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Tops Meridian in Five-Splits Action at Sandy Creek

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
POLK - The Storm faced Meridian Tuesday night in Polk for an exciting 5-set win for the Storm.Wearing pink this month for breast cancer awareness, the Storm struggled to get in their groove the first set. They let go a couple of ace serves to the Mustangs. They caught up 6-6 but fell behind again.
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 Oct. 9, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
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.
The BDS ball carrier is ushered out of bounds by High Plains defenders, Brodey Spurling (11) Chase Owens (45) and Neddy Lesiak (55). PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

The BDS ball carrier is ushered out of bounds by High Plains defenders, Brodey Spurling (11) Chase Owens (45) and Neddy Lesiak (55). PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

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Eagles and Mosquitoes Win Battle in Shickley

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
SHICKLEY – The bugs were biting, and so were the Eagles as the Storm couldn’t survive the 46-8 loss to BDS.The Eagles got out early and scored when Wyatt Kempf ran one in, and the PAT came from Kyler Koch with 7:32 on the clock.
Going into Saturday’s tournament in Hampton, HallieJo Urkoski had registered 16 kills in the team’s first four games of the week. Here she is on the attack against the Lawrence-Nelson Raiders defense. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

Going into Saturday’s tournament in Hampton, HallieJo Urkoski had registered 16 kills in the team’s first four games of the week. Here she is on the attack against the Lawrence-Nelson Raiders defense. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

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Lady Storm Goes 4-3 During Busy Week

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
POLK – The Storm hosted Elba and Newman Grove/St. Edward in a triangular on Tuesday. They won against both in three sets each.Against Elba, the sets were 25-19, 26-28 and 25-20. The teams were quite even on kills, with High Plains a bit more accurate with them.
Top left- High Plains junior Chase Owens (45) refuses to be denied as he carries the Nebraska Lutheran defender into the end zone on this first quarter 11-yard scoring run. Owens also had a pick-six in the first quarter.

Top left- High Plains junior Chase Owens (45) refuses to be denied as he carries the Nebraska Lutheran defender into the end zone on this first quarter 11-yard scoring run. Owens also had a pick-six in the first quarter.

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STORM RACKS UP 68 POINTS IN WIN OVER KNIGHTS

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
CLARKS-The High Plains Storm put their second win in the books early Friday night scoring three times over the opening 14 1/2 minutes on their way to the 68-6 win over Nebraska Lutheran Friday night.The Storm would end up with 391 yards to 157 yards for the Knights who fell to 0-4 on the year.
PCN photo by Rick Holtz

PCN photo by Rick Holtz

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Storm slowed by Chargers

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Storm was fighting battles on two fronts. High Plains was doing battle with Riverside on the football field, but they were battling the near 90-degree heat on the sidelines.