HARLAN (Jan. 2) -- The Harlan Community girls basketball team started 2018 on a good note here Tuesday night, using a big second quarter and a solid defensive effort to beat Atlantic 48-29.    It was the first win in three weeks for the Cyclone girls, who lost their final two games prior to the holiday break.

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 DUNLAP (Jan.

 DUNLAP (Jan.

EARLING -- The family of Raymond Andersen is planning a card shower in honor of his 94th birthday on January 8.    Cards will reach him if sent to Little Flower Haven, PO Box 288, Earling, IA 51530.

 HARLAN -- Harlan Community senior Ryan Doran signed a national letter of intent on December 21 to play baseball at Southwestern Community College in Creston. Ryan is the son of Randy and Ann Doran, Harlan. As a first-year starting first baseman in 2017, Doran was instrumental in helping the Cyclone baseball team qualify for its seventh straight state tournament and reach its third consecutive state championship game.

 HARLAN (Jan. 1) -- Harlan Community senior Nick Foss announced on Twitter Monday his verbal commitment to play football at Minnesota State University in Mankato.

 DES MOINES -- A 25-9 first-quarter burst paved the way for another double-digit Spartan victory December 23 as the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls defeated Nodaway Valley 72-49 at Wells Fargo Arena. Freshman Tatum Grubbs (18 points) and seniors Kealey Nelson (18) and Sophia Peppers (17) combined for 53 points as the fourth-ranked Spartans entered Christmas break with a perfect record of 7-0.

 DES MOINES -- Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton put up 50 first-half points on the Wells Fargo Arena floor and posted a 79-53 boys basketball win vs. Nodaway Valley on December 23. The Spartans stormed out to a 27-11 lead after the first quarter and extended the margin to 50-26 at halftime, improving to 3-4 overall. “We played our best basketball of the season in the first half,” said E-EHK head coach Doug Newton.