Spartan girls hold off Kuemper, 57-52

 ELK HORN (Jan. 20) -- If Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton makes a fourth straight trip to the Girls State Basketball Tournament later this year, it might look back at Saturday as a key point in the season.
 After leading Kuemper Catholic by 17 points during the second quarter and 49-40 in the fourth, the Spartans suddenly found themselves down by a point when Aimee Adams’ putback capped a 10-0 Knights run with just 90 seconds remaining.
 That deficit, though, would only last about 10 seconds.
 On the next trip down the floor, Exira-EHK freshman guard Tatum Grubbs drew contact on a courageous drive to the basket against Kuemper’s 6-foot defenders and calmly knocked down both free throws to put the Spartans back on top 51-50.
 The Knights’ next two possessions ended with a blocked shot by Exira-EHK senior Kealey Nelson and an errant pass out of bounds. Sophia Peppers, meanwhile, knocked down six straight free throws in the final :38.6 to preserve the 8th-ranked (1A) Spartans’ 57-52 win over the 13th-ranked (3A) Knights.
 Saturday marked the second straight year Exira-EHK (now 14-1) has defeated Kuemper (11-5) in non-conference play, and the victory comes at a good time with some key Rolling Valley Conference matchups on the horizon.
 “Once we got in the locker room it sounded like we won a state championship,” said Peppers, the Spartans’ veteran standout who led the way with 19 points. “It just boosts our motivation and our confidence through the roof. It shows us how good of a team we can be.”

   Exira-EHK leading scorers: Sophia Peppers 19, Tatum Grubbs 12, Kealey Nelson 11, Ellie Schultes 7.
   Kuemper leading scorers: Aimee Adams 17, Kara Peter 12 (11 rebounds), Brooklyn Baake 8.