RED OAK -- Throughout another season-long journey to the Girls State Basketball Tournament, two constants have existed for Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton. Defense and winning. It’s only fitting that those two things went hand-in-hand again Monday night as the unbeaten, 2nd-ranked Spartans survived a major test from Nodaway Valley to win 41-35 in a Class 1-A, Region 7 final at Red Oak. After trailing for much of the first half, Exira-EHK sped to a

 PLEASANT HILL -- The Harlan Community bowlers fell short of qualifying any teams or individuals for state this year after competing in the Class 1-A, District 2 State Qualifying Tournament held February 16 at Pleasant Hill’s Great Escape. The Cyclone boys placed second out of six teams with a total score of 2,697, while the girls placed third with a score of 2,132. Knoxville earned both state qualifier berths, posting scores of 2,828 (boys) a

SENIOR NIGHT -- Twelve senior members of the Harlan Community bowling teams were recognized prior to the Cyclones’ Senior Night dual vs. Red Oak on February 11.
Six of these seniors (Stroud, Trader, Portwood, Chamberlain, Grote and Besta-Thompson) have been with the program from its beginning four years ago, with Portwood being the only one to bowl every varsity meet since her freshman year. (Photo contributed)

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- The Harlan Community boys placed second and the girls placed fourth at the Hawkeye Ten Conference Bowling Tournament, held February 12 at Council Bluffs’ Thunderbowl. The Cyclones claimed two individual medalists as senior Bailey Portwood placed second in the girls field with a two-game series of 403 (191, 212) and senior Zach Besta-Thompson placed third in the boys field with a 434 (190, 244). The Denison-Schleswig girls an

 MANNING -- The IKM-Manning boys basketball team moved within two wins of the state tournament here Tuesday night with a 76-43 win over Audubon in a Class 1-A district semifinal. Exira-EHK, meanwhile, lost a one-point heartbreaker to Paton-Churdan, 38-37, to finish the season at 17-6.

 HARLAN -- It was a good night all the way around for the Harlan Community girls basketball team on Saturday. Senior point guard Jordyn Moser scored a game-high 24 points to surpass the 1,000 mark for her career, Taylor Frederick totaled 15 points and 13 rebounds and the 3rd-ranked Cyclones easily handled Bishop Heelan, 59-32, in a Class 4-A regional semifinal game in Harlan. The victory moved HCHS within one step of its fourth consecutive tri

 ELK HORN -- One more victory was still required, but Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton looked like a team destined for a return trip to the Girls State Basketball Tournament here Friday night. If the 2nd-ranked Spartans play like they did against Sidney, it will certainly take a big-time performance to deny them a spot in this year’s 1-A state field. Suffocating the Cowgirls with a mix of fullcourt presses and active 2-3 zone, the Spartans also showc

 HARLAN -- The Harlan Community boys basketball team finished the regular season Thursday night with a 65-49 win over Carroll Public, improving to 18-3 overall going into the start of postseason play Monday night. Kyle Juhl led the Cyclones with 18 points and 13 rebounds while Will Lansman had 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocks. See Friday’s News-Advertiser for more details.

 AREA -- The IKM-Manning and Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton boys basketball teams both won Class 1-A district quarterfinal games Thursday night while AHSTW was defeated in 2-A district semifinal by Ridge View, 53-50.