Sports

High Plains senior Brodey Spurling (23) is contested at the basket by McCool Junction senior Dylan Gonnerman. Spurling led the Storm with eight points in the loss to the Mustangs and he scored 16 in the win over Dorchester. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

High Plains senior Brodey Spurling (23) is contested at the basket by McCool Junction senior Dylan Gonnerman. Spurling led the Storm with eight points in the loss to the Mustangs and he scored 16 in the win over Dorchester. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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High Plains Rolls Over Dorchester, Loses to McCool Junction and Mead.

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
POLK- After getting their first win of the season on Tuesday night at Dorchester 63-30, the Storm were back home on Thursday night to host the Cool Junction Mustangs in CRC action.
Sophomore Benji Cooper tossed in a game-high 21 points in the Cougars win at Meridian last Friday night. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

Sophomore Benji Cooper tossed in a game-high 21 points in the Cougars win at Meridian last Friday night. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

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Cross County Remains Undefeated- Rolls Meridian

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
DAYKIN — The Cougars are on a roll.Class C-2 No. 7 Cross County (3-0) kept the winning train on the tracks on Friday in their 67-30 win over Meridian. The Cougars opened the game on a 10-1 run and never looked back.“I thought our intensity level was good,” Cross County coach Jimmy Blex said.
High Plains senior Peyton Hofmann drives right through the teeth of the McCool Junction defense in last Thursday night’s game in Polk. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

High Plains senior Peyton Hofmann drives right through the teeth of the McCool Junction defense in last Thursday night’s game in Polk. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Win at Mead Has Storm girls back over. 500

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
POLK-The High Plains Storm girls basketball team had a busy week with three games, two of those on the road.On Tuesday night the Storm traveled to Dorchester where they suffered their first loss of the year to the Longhorns, 38-35.
Cross County senior Ella Clark locks down on defense against the EMF offensive player last Thursday night. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Cross County senior Ella Clark locks down on defense against the EMF offensive player last Thursday night. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Cougars Put on Defensive Clinic at Meridian

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
DAYKIN — It was a defensive clinic.Class D-1 No. 10 Cross County won their third game in a row on Friday, beating Crossroads Conference foe Meridian 57-12 on the road. The Cougars (3-1) used their pressure defense to force turnovers for easy baskets in transition.
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. 11, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 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 launches the baseline jumper. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

SRC junior Kaleigh Ruth launches the baseline jumper. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

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Twin River at SRC for Hoops Action

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
SHELBY — The Huskies girls picked up their first win of the season thanks to a fast start as Shelby-Rising City beat Twin River 48-26 at home.The Huskies opened the game with a 13-0 run, holding the Titans scoreless for most of the opening quarter.
Cross County freshman Piyper Berggren scores the first points and the first win of Cross County/Osceola girls wrestling history. Berggren went on to a third place finish at the Lakeview Invite at 105 pounds on Friday. PCN photo by Ken Kush

Cross County freshman Piyper Berggren scores the first points and the first win of Cross County/Osceola girls wrestling history. Berggren went on to a third place finish at the Lakeview Invite at 105 pounds on Friday. PCN photo by Ken Kush

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CC/O and SRC Wrestlers Compete at Lakeview

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
COLUMBUS- The era of Cross County/Osceola Twister girls wrestling officially kicked off on Friday, December 5th at the Lakeview Invite.
High Plains senior Dakota Gress makes quick work of Fairbury’s Keira Bay at 125 pounds. Gress finished third at the York Invite this past Friday. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

High Plains senior Dakota Gress makes quick work of Fairbury’s Keira Bay at 125 pounds. Gress finished third at the York Invite this past Friday. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Gress Sisters Medal at York

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
YORK- The York Invite was held on December 5th as 16 girls team were in action, some for the first time this year.The High Plains girls were part of the field as they had two girls in action and both came away with medals at their respective weight classes.
Cross County junior Colter Larson (21) gets inside as he works his way past the defense of Shelby-RC’s Jaxson Thompson in Friday night’s game. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Cross County junior Colter Larson (21) gets inside as he works his way past the defense of Shelby-RC’s Jaxson Thompson in Friday night’s game. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Cross County boys basketball opens 2-0

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
SHELBY- Despite losing seven seniors to graduation, the Cross County boys basketball team got through the opening week unscathed as they posted wins over McCool Junction 58-47 and Polk County rival Shelby-RC on Friday night 55-42.