Shelby-Rising City Huskies

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.
Top left- Junior Jett Vrbka improved to 15-0 as he won the 175-pound bracket at the SRC Invite.

Top left- Junior Jett Vrbka improved to 15-0 as he won the 175-pound bracket at the SRC Invite.

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SRC’s Vrbkas, Jett and Coy, Win Gold at Home Invite

Ken Kush
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
SHELBY- The top five teams at the Shelby-RC Boys Wrestling Invite on Saturday scored in triple digits, but it was Plainview hoisting the team title with 150.5 points to second place Scotus Central Catholic with 147.5.Burwell was third with 121.
Jett Vrbka (left) at 175 and Coy Vrbka (right) at 215 won gold at the Platteview Invite. Photo was provided.

Jett Vrbka (left) at 175 and Coy Vrbka (right) at 215 won gold at the Platteview Invite. Photo was provided.

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Huskies Jett and Coy Vrbka Bring Home Gold From Platteview Invite

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Shelby-RC Huskies boys wrestling team is starting to come together.After a long football season the wrestlers are finally taking the stage in what could be a run to a Class D title.
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 Dec. 25, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
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.
SRC junior Kaleigh Ruth (5) drives the ball towards the McCool Junction basket during last Thursday’s game against the Mustangs. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

SRC junior Kaleigh Ruth (5) drives the ball towards the McCool Junction basket during last Thursday’s game against the Mustangs. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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SRC Huskies’ Girls Get Split of Hoops Action

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
SHELBY– The Lady Huskies had a busy week with three games. They won over Schuyler 59-25 and lost to McCool Junction 53-30 and lost to Bishop Newmann 66-23. Against Schuyler, Hayden Hopwood had 29 points and 15 rebounds.Stats vs. Schuyler: Points. H. Hopwood 29, K. Ruth 11, M. Stewart 9, K.
Noah Thelen (2) scored 17 points in the loss to MCJ and added 27 points in the win over Cornerstone Christian. PCN photos by Beth Sparrow.

Noah Thelen (2) scored 17 points in the loss to MCJ and added 27 points in the win over Cornerstone Christian. PCN photos by Beth Sparrow.

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Huskies Boys Basketball Goes 2-1 with Wins Over Schuyler and Cornerstone Christian

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Shelby-Rising City boys win two of three games for a good week,evening up their record to 3-3. They won over Schuyler 5139, barely lost to McCool 53-49 and won over Cornerstone Christian 57-45.Stats against Schuyler: Points; Noah Thelen 14, Nixon Thelen 12, B.Schmidt 11, J. Thompson 5, D.
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.

For Subscribers

PCN Athletes of the Week for Dec. 17, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
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.
Shelby-RC senior Eli Fjell won his 100th match of his career by pin on the opening weekend at the Lakeview Invite. Eli’s career numbers according to Trackwrestling are 134 wins and just 16 losses through last weekend.

Shelby-RC senior Eli Fjell won his 100th match of his career by pin on the opening weekend at the Lakeview Invite. Eli’s career numbers according to Trackwrestling are 134 wins and just 16 losses through last weekend.

Fjell Registers 100th Pin at Lakeview Invite

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Shelby-RC freshman Hayden Hopwood muscles the ball into the paint where she draws the foul on Cedar Bluff’s Jakiah McCoy during Friday’s game in Cedar Bluffs. Hopwood finished with 21 points in the Huskies win. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Shelby-RC freshman Hayden Hopwood muscles the ball into the paint where she draws the foul on Cedar Bluff’s Jakiah McCoy during Friday’s game in Cedar Bluffs. Hopwood finished with 21 points in the Huskies win. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Hopwood Sparks 33-30 Win at Cedar Bluffs

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
CEDAR BLUFFS-When the season got underway for the Shelby-RC girls basketball team, Hayden Hopwood had never played a varsity basketball game.The freshman is quickly making a name for herself as she came into Friday nights game at Cedar Bluffs, averaging 17 points scoring per game, 16.