High Plains Storm

Emma Brown jumps in the tipoff of the girls’ game against Nebraska Lutheran. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Emma Brown jumps in the tipoff of the girls’ game against Nebraska Lutheran. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Lady Storm Pulls Out Close Win Over Knights

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
WACO – It was a close game in Waco, and the Lady Storm couldn’t hit a trey but they found a way to win 50-41.Courtney Carlstrom got the first basket, but the Knights soon added one. Peyton Hofmann put in a basket before the Knights hit a trey.
Rylee Ackerson goes for a shot as a Hampton girl tries to stop her. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Rylee Ackerson goes for a shot as a Hampton girl tries to stop her. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Lady Storm Continues Winning Streak With Two More

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
HAMPTON - High Plains took an early lead and held on to win over Hampton 49-33.The Lady Storm got on the board first and were up by 7 points, and increased it to 11 so Hampton called timeout.
Jed Berggren wrestling. PCN photo by Travis Lane

Jed Berggren wrestling. PCN photo by Travis Lane

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High Plains Seniors Place at Own Invite

News Staff
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
COLUMBUS – The boys wrestled Friday and Saturday in Columbus at the Fieldhouse at the Norm Mandstedt (High Plains) Invite. High Plains and CCO wrestled.Placings included Hudson Urkoski second, Caleb Sharman fifth and Gage Friesen placed sixth.
Chase Owens dribbles the ball while a Hampton defender gets ready for the next play. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Chase Owens dribbles the ball while a Hampton defender gets ready for the next play. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Boys Add Two Wins

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
HAMPTON - The Storm triumphed over Hampton 66-40.It was an odd start to the game, as there wasn’t a tipoff. The boys’ game started with Hampton’s Rylee Scheidemann shooting two free throws due to a technical foul.
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. 9, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. PCN Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors. Ayden HansAyden Hans put in the game-winning three pointer to lift High Plains over Shelby-Rising City.
LEFT: Carson Swedenburg (HPC) goes up for a basket while Blake Schmidt (SRC) defends. MIDDLE LEFT: Dalton Pokorney (SRC) makes a move to the post on his way to 2 of his 25 points. MIDDLE RIGHT: Ayden Hans hit the buzzer-beater to give the Storm the win. RIGHT: Noah Thelen looks to find an open teammate. PCN photos by Rick Holtz

LEFT: Carson Swedenburg (HPC) goes up for a basket while Blake Schmidt (SRC) defends. MIDDLE LEFT: Dalton Pokorney (SRC) makes a move to the post on his way to 2 of his 25 points. MIDDLE RIGHT: Ayden Hans hit the buzzer-beater to give the Storm the win. RIGHT: Noah Thelen looks to find an open teammate. PCN photos by Rick Holtz

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Hans’ Game-Winner Lifts Storm Over Huskies

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
SHELBY — Ayden Hans has ice in his veins.The Storm senior broke a 51-all tie at the buzzer to give High Plains a 54-51 win over Shelby-Rising City on Friday. Hans scored 8 of his team-high 16 points in the final quarter as the Storm came from behind against the Huskies.
LEFT: Leah Whitmore (SRC) dribbles around Allie Howell (HPC). MIDDLE LEFT: Allie Howell finished with 5 points for the Storm. MIDDLE RIGHT: Kaleigh Ruth goes up for 2 of her 5 points. RIGHT: Courtney Carlstrom dribbles around the Husky defense. PCN photos by Rick Holtz

LEFT: Leah Whitmore (SRC) dribbles around Allie Howell (HPC). MIDDLE LEFT: Allie Howell finished with 5 points for the Storm. MIDDLE RIGHT: Kaleigh Ruth goes up for 2 of her 5 points. RIGHT: Courtney Carlstrom dribbles around the Husky defense. PCN photos by Rick Holtz

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Lady Storm Top Huskies in County Battle

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
SHELBY — High Plains held off a late Shelby-Rising City run to hold on for a 35-32 win on Friday.Rylee Ackerson scored 4 of her 5 points in the final 3:26 of the fourth quarter to keep the Storm ahead of the Huskies. Shelby-Rising City connected on just 2-of-9 free throws in the final quarter.
Three HPC senior wrestlers took first place at Pleasanton: Gage Friesen, Hudson Urkoski and Caleb Sharman. Photo provided.

Three HPC senior wrestlers took first place at Pleasanton: Gage Friesen, Hudson Urkoski and Caleb Sharman. Photo provided.

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Three Storm Grapplers Place in Pleasanton

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
PLEASANTON – High Plains boys wrestled at Pleasanton on Saturday. They placed sixth with six wrestlers total. Three took first place. A total of 25 teams were at the meet.Seniors Hudson Urkoski, Gage Friesen and Caleb Sharman all placed first.
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. 2, 2025

News Staff
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.Edie PetersonEdie Peterson had 23 points, shot 50% (making 5 of 10) on three pointers and hit all 4 of her free throws for Cross County against Wood River.
Carter Urkoski (HPC) fights Brody Johnson (EB, 6’11) for the rebound. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Carter Urkoski (HPC) fights Brody Johnson (EB, 6’11) for the rebound. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Boys Place 2nd at East Butler

Beth Sparrow
Monday, December 30, 2024
BRAINARD – The Storm went to East Butler for their annual holiday tournament. Friday they faced Walthill in a rematch of district finals from last spring. This time High Plains won 75-57. Saturday they played in the tournament against fourth ranked in Class D1, East Butler.