High Plains Storm

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

Lady Storm Top Huskies in County Battle

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.

Three Storm Grapplers Place in Pleasanton

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.

PCN Athletes of the Week for Jan. 2, 2025

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.

Storm Boys Place 2nd at East Butler

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.
Ayden Hans puts the ball up against Nebraska Christian. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Ayden Hans puts the ball up against Nebraska Christian. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Storm Ups Offense, Thanks to Hans, Urkoski

POLK – Ayden Hans and Carter Urkoski have shown offensive skills for High Plains boys basketball before, but usually it’s one or the other doing the high scoring.
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.

PCN Athletes of the Week for Dec. 19, 2024

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.Bella ReckerBella had a double-double against East Butler with 17 points and 10 rebounds. She also had 3 steals in their win.
Gahvi Lesiak dribbles the ball down the court. PCN file photo by Rick Holtz.

Gahvi Lesiak dribbles the ball down the court. PCN file photo by Rick Holtz.

Lady Storm Can’t Hold On in OT Against Mustangs

MCCOOL JUNCTION - The Lady Storm started well against the Lady Mustangs, but ended up with a disappointing overtime loss 54-49.In the first quarter, it was Gahvi Lesiak and Emma Brown doing all the scoring with Lesiak with 7 and Brown 9. Lesiak got 4 of her 10 steals this quarter also.
Raul Marino takes the ball to the basket past some Fullerton defenders. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

Raul Marino takes the ball to the basket past some Fullerton defenders. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

Storm Win over Red Hornets and Can’t Hold Off the Warriors

GRAND ISLAND - High Plains got their first win on the road against the Heartland Lutheran Red Hornets. They won 60-35.HPC 14, 17, 20, 9 = 60 HL 7, 6, 7, 15 = 35 Stats were not available at press time.FULLERTON — High Plains could not hold off a hot shooting Fullerton team on Saturday.
A determined Peyton Hofmann tries to dribble around a Fullerton defender. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

A determined Peyton Hofmann tries to dribble around a Fullerton defender. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

Lady Storm Start Off with Two Wins

GRAND ISLAND - Gahvi Lesiak and Emma Brown combined for 28 points in the Storm’s 49-22 win over the Heartland Lutheran Red Hornets.Lesiak was 2 of 6 on treys, while teammate Carlstrom was 1 of 5. Overall they were 23% on treys.Free throws are also not their strong point, only shooting in 31%.