Sports

The 6th grade boys basketball team finished as runners-up at the 31st annual Stuart Athletics Club Basketball Tournament on Saturday February 22, 2025 suffering their first loss of the season. In their opening game, they beat the St. Mary’s team from O’Neil 33-24, and then they defeated Boyd County 24-20 in their second game.

The Lady Badgers knew their District final was going to be a game. Not only was it going to be a challenge on the court, but mentally, after a six-hour bus ride, getting into their game routine, focused on the game, and ready to play. As a former coach, I know that long bus rides are never good for any team; not being in a normal school day routine can mess with a young person’s game.

The third and fourth grade team completed their season with a perfect 11-0 record after winning all their games Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the 31st annual Stuart Athletics Club Basketball Tournament.

Youth Boys Basketball played a total of three tournaments in Bassett, Stuart and Valentine. During practices, coaches worked on not only skills, but built team unity.

Purpose The American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students.

Cody-Kilgore fans packed the stands on Thursday, February 27, 2025, hoping to see their Cowboys (15-8) triumph in the D2-12 Round 2 matchup against the Hay Springs Hawks (13-9). The rematch against Hay Springs was a much-anticipated conclusion to the subdistrict series. Fortunate for the Cowboy faithful, Cody-Kilgore did not disappoint as they defeated the Hawks 65-63 in dramatic fashion at the CK Corral in Cody.

Round one action in the D2-12 subdistrict tournament tipped off in Cody, NE, as the Cowboys (14-8) earned the top seed for the postseason series. Game one featured the Cowboys against the fourth-seeded Sioux County Warriors (6-13). The Cowboys previously defeated the Warriors twice during the regular season, and this matchup ended in similar fashion: a Cowboy victory, 62-37.

Game two pitted the second- seeded Hay Springs Hawks (13-9) against the third-seeded Crawford Rams (8-13). During the regular season, the Hawks dispatched the Rams on two occasions.Unfortunatelyforthe Rams, the third time was not a charm as the Hawks swooped to victory. The game was not absent of drama, as sure-shooting Crawford junior, Taylor Homan putonascoringclinicduringthe first quarter of action, which propelledCrawfordtoa9-21lead over Hay Springs. Homan also reached a basketball milestone when he drained a three-point shot that netted him over 1,000 careerpoints.Behindhisefforts, Crawford headed to halftime leading 22-34. At the conclusion of the third quarter, it became apparent that Hay Springs had weathered the first half Ram stampede. Although trailing 4549attheendof thethirdquarter, momentum had shifted toward the Hawks. Throughout the fourth quarter, both teams traded scores in a dramatic fashion. A technical foul on Crawford resulted in Hay Springs taking the lead for the first time in the game, but the contest remained undetermined until free throws turned the tide for the Hawks. With nine seconds left in regulation, the Hawks led 61-60, and they sealed the victory by making three free throws following Crawford fouls. With the win, the Hawks set up an intriguing subdistrict championship game against the Cowboys. This season, Hay Springs and Cody-Kilgore have faced one another three times. Despite an early season blowout win against the Hawks, the Cowboys have lost two close games to Hay Springs by a total of five points.

The Valentine Badger Cheer team competed in their first-ever cheer competition on Friday, February 21, 2025. The team had decided in December that they were going to compete in the C2 Game Day category.