ROCKWELL CITY — Sioux Central took a two-point lead at the half and turned into a 49-41 win at South Central Calhoun in a girls only night to wrap up Twin Lakes Conference play with a “V” Monday night.

“We didn’t get off to a very good start and kind of played sluggish the whole night,” explained Kasey Krager, Rebel girls coach. The game didn’t have any flow to it, but the girls found a way to grind it out. I was happy to get the win on the road.”

SIOUX RAPIDS — In front of the home fans, Sioux Central’s boys had to come from behind, holding on for a nonconference boys basketball win, 50-45, over visiting Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, Monday. Ice-cold shooting hampered the Rebels on the offensive end.

“We really got off to a poor start, not a lot of energy and missing a lot of bunnies around the rim, which put us at a double-digit deficit at halftime,” said Stephen Tjaden, head coach of Sioux Central.

CORALVILLE ― Four of Spencer’s nine IGHSAU State qualifiers brought home hardware from Coralville after earning spots on the medal stand Friday night following two days of competition.

Senior Shaylee Sutherland, Spencer’s all-time winningest girls wrestler, finished runner-up for the second year in a row, after reaching the title match at 140, Friday night. Kiara Ruiz also competed in the Friday night competition, sticking Mason City’s freshman Piper Phillips for fifth at 100.

SPENCER — In a battle of neighbors Thursday, Sioux Central controlled the girls basketball contest at Spencer as the Tigers struggled to find the basket. The Rebels, on the power of a 17-4 first quarter, rolled to a 55-34 win.

“We got off to a great start. … This is crucial for us as I knew their zone and home court advantage could give us trouble,” said Kasey Krager, Sioux Central coach, following the win.

Tuesday, Feb. 4 ― Spencer

Cherokee 18, 19, 18, 15 — 70

Spencer 6, 8, 13, 9 ― 36

Tigers: (Scoring) Kennedy Graettinger 8, Sydnee Hopkins 7, Dakoda Lux 6; (Rebounds) Madelyn McWhirter 7, Alexa Hallett 7; (Assists) McWhirter 4, Hopkins 3; (Steals) Hopkins 1; (Blocks) Hopkins 1.

MASON CITY — Three Spencer swimmers qualified for the Boys State Swim Meet on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15, in Iowa City.

Oliver Miller is seeded 23rd with a time of 4:58.45 in the 500 freestyle; Ray Kaiser is seeded 26th after swimming 56.10 in the 100 backstroke; and Owen Van Otterloo qualified with the 31st best time in 100 breaststroke.

A 21-7 opening quarter set the tone for Spencer’s victory over visiting Sioux Central, Thursday night, 72-44. The Tigers picked up their 10th win of the year.

“From the onset we struggled guarding their offensive actions, and it allowed them to get into a good rhythm which they maintained most of the night,” Rebel coach Stephen Tjaden said.

Spencer coach Kory Petzenhauser didn’t offer a comment following the win.

Tuesday, Feb. 4 ― Spencer

Cherokee 20, 16, 22, 16 — 74

Spencer 19, 13, 16, 12 ― 60

Tigers: (Scoring) Cael Bruning 17, Ethan Hansen 14, Jack Berends 10, Brady Vreeman 10; (Rebounds) Hansen 10, Berends 6 (Assists) Vreeman 3.

Braves: (Scoring) Coy Lewis 21, Jaxson Paulsrud 20, Logan Stowater 11; (Rebounds) Paulsrud 8, Lewis 8; (Assists) Paulsrud 6; (Steals) Lewis 3.

Friday, Feb. 7 ― Storm Lake

CORALVILLE — Sioux Central qualified a pair of athletes for the 1A Girls State Wrestling Tournament in Coralville’s Xtream Arena, both of whom ended their season on their first day, Thursday.

In back-to-back weight classes, 125 and 130, No. 10 Nichole Hart and No. 13 Natalie Frerk suffered defeats in the opening rounds, and the second in the consolation first round.

SIOUX RAPIDS — Kasey Krager’s Rebel girls rolled up 76 points for a Tuesday home win over St. Mary’s, 76-25, in Sioux Rapids, Tuesday.

The big difference was a 33-8 first period, putting the Panthers into a deep hole. By halftime, it was 52-14 lead for the home team.

AKRON — With 1A Districts boys wrestling right around the corner, Sioux Central went 1-2 at the Akron-Westfield Duals, Friday night. The Rebels dropped the host Westerners, 54-24, but lost to Lawton-Bronson, 47-22; and West Sioux, 49-24.

Chance Rice, the Sioux Central coach, said his team, “wrestled hard versus some great competition — good teams to see going into postseason.”

SIOUX RAPIDS — Sioux Central wasted no time in putting away St. Mary’s, Tuesday, 72-20.

“Tonight was a great example of displaying all of the guys that make this team what it is,” said Stephen Tjaden, Sioux Central boys coach.

He added, “We got off to a good start with getting defensive stops and then being aggressive on offense to get to the rim and the free-throw line.”

Avery Wilson, a junior, surpassed the 1,000-point milestone Thursday night during Sioux Central’s win at Spencer. Wilson had an impact during her high school career, while achieving individual awards.

Spencer girls wrestling coach Dave Storm received the inaugural Golden Plaque of Distinction ahead of Friday night’s championship matches at Coralville’s Xtream Center. The honor is presented to the coach with a career of note and inspired the school, community and the coaching profession. (Photo submitted)

Iowa Lakes men’s basketball improves to 16-8

The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball team moved to 16-8 on the season with a 96-60 win over Dakota County. The Lakers were led by Jayden Jones with 23 points, Jhordan Ryan added 15 points and 13 rebounds, Jade West added 13 points, Jermaine Freeman had 12 points, and Ashton Hermann added 11. Dakota County was led by Lorenzo Levy with 13 points.

Men’s basketball tops Southwestern