SIOUX RAPIDS — Avery Wilson and Bradi Krager combined for 41 — 21 and 20 respectively — to pace the No. 4 Sioux Central in its 69-34 home over the Spencer Tigers. The Rebels had two quarters, including the opening frame, where they produced 20 or more points.

SIOUX RAPIDS — Two neighboring school districts met for non-district boys basketball action Tuesday evening in Sioux Rapids. A quick start by the Spencer Tigers allowed the visitors to hold off the Sioux Central Rebels, who outscored them in the final three quarters, for a 60-50 win. A 22-7 first quarter run resulted in the 10-point victory.

HARTLEY — Monday night, Sioux Central established a convincing halftime advantage and cruised to a 21-point, 67-46, win in boys basketball action on the road in Hartley. Four Rebels scored in double figures, accounting for all but 8 of the teams total points.

“We did nice job of jumping out early and starting the game on a 14-0 run to set the tone right away,” Sioux Central coach Stephen Tjaden said.

CORALVILLE — Make it three straight.

Spencer senior Olivia Huckfelt completed her high school wrestling campaign in Coralville Friday night with a 235-pound championship and 45-0 record for the year, finishing with 121 career wins, all by fall. Her last, and only career loss, came in the state title match her senior year, making this year’s title match that much sweeter.

Back-to-back games to close out the week saw the Spencer girls basketball drop to 1-18 with two losses. (Above) Tiger senior Aubrie Stell drives by Storm Lake’s Grace Kenkel Friday night in the Field House. Spencer fell to the Tornadoes 56-34 and dropped a 51-46 game at South Central Calhoun, 51-46, despite having led the Titans 24-15 at halftime. (Photo Sondra Hookfin)

(Right) Tyler Storey, a Spencer senior, released a jump shot attempt over Storm Lake’s Justin Guynn Friday night in the Field House, scoring a 63-61 victory over the Tornadoes, despite giving up 41 points in the second half. It marked the Tigers lone win in a 10-game span. Saturday night, they would suffer loss No. 9 on the road to the South Central Calhoun Titans, 59-53. Spencer fell to 5-11 following the nonconference loss, while SSC improved to 15-4.

MASON CITY — Spencer’s boys swim team found itself shut out of any state tournament qualifying times Saturday at the District Meet in Mason City, but the tough competition and speedy pool allowed the Tigers some positive outcomes nonetheless.

“All of our swimmers cut time in one or more events and had a great showing at the District Meet finishing in firth place overall,” coach Amie Lawrence said.

For the fifth time in seven games, the Sioux Central girls held their opponent under 30 points in basketball action, while scoring an average of 66 points a game during the same span. They continue to climb the ranks, with a 18-1 mark, jumping from five to four in the Class 2A field, ahead of Regional play beginning Feb. 13.

Sioux Central’s boys finished back-to-back basketball games 6-11 overall and 5-6 in Twin Lakes play after dropping a pair of games to close out the week, falling to fifth-ranked South O’Brien at home, and suffering a close loss to Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire on the road. The Rebels will host Spencer Tuesday night, in a three-game week, following the conclusion of the girl’s game. They are scheduled to face winless Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Monday night.

ESTHERVILLE — Ranked 17th, the Iowa Lakes men's basketball pulled off the upset Saturday after in the team’s home gym, downing third-ranked DMACC, 85-74, to improve to 18-5 overall and 9-3 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play.

"I am really proud of our effort tonight,” said Iowa Lakes coach Jason McKinney. “We had great life and energy and we played together both on both ends of the floor.”

The Department of Natural Resources Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau has openings for recreational aides and seasonal patrol officers across the state park system for the summer 2024 season.

Well, the word is out … Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow last Friday morning (Feb. 2), and it’s going to be an early spring! Well, at least that’s what Phil says.

The groundhog predictions have been going since 1887, and every year, we anticipate Phil’s verdict! Although the accuracy of the forecast is not the greatest, people can still hardly wait to see if we have six more weeks of winter or not.

The Spirit Lake Protective Association received a major award at the Minnesota State Chapter Leadership Convention held Jan. 19-20 in Willmar, Minnesota.

STORM LAKE — A tough stretch of road games continued for the Spencer Tiger boys basketball continued to start the week as the season’s first matchup against Storm Lake resulted in a 71-62 loss Monday night.

Tuesday night, Spencer’s girls earned their first basketball win of the season, after an 0-16 start, defeating Denison-Schleswig, 54-46, on the road. A large percentage of the losses have come against ranked teams in a loaded, brutal schedule.

“Obviously it's a big weight off of our shoulders to get our first win,” said Matt Stevenson, Spencer head coach. “Our kids have grinded all season, playing against many of the top teams in the state, so they deserve this more than anyone.”