Peppers helps Spartan girls stay undefeated

 ELK HORN -- Sophia Peppers dominated in the post for 29 points and 10 rebounds Friday night as the shorthanded Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls handled Charter Oak-Ute 64-40. The 2nd-ranked (1-A) Spartans also won at Glidden-Ralston 46-34 on Saturday afternoon, improving to 14-0 overall and 13-0 in the Rolling Valley Conference.
 Playing without point guard Rose Andersen and Grace Greving, who were both battling illness, Exira-EHK struggled to pull away for most of the first half against CO-U and took a 33-21 lead into halftime. The Spartans executed much better on offense in the second half, working the ball inside to Peppers, who scored 18 of her 29 after the break.
 Exira-EHK head coach Tom Petersen said he challenged Peppers at the half to be more aggressive on the offensive end.