By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek girls’ basketball team picked up its first victory of 2006 Tuesday in Hills.Playing Westbrook-Walnut Grove in Red Rock Conference play, the Patriots steamrolled to a 70-34 victory.Relentless defense and efficient offense proved to be the ingredients for H-BC’s success."We pressured them the entire first half and it created problems for them," said H-BC coach Jason Blosmo."We pushed the ball well, got good looks and knocked down some shots."Chelsi Fink helped the hosts open a 36-17 halftime lead by netting 15 of her team-high 15 points in the first 18 minutes.H-BC doubled W-WG’s scoring output (34-17) in the second half to win by 36.Stacy Bush, who collected eight rebounds, and Brittany Helgeson scored 15 and 12 points respectively for the Patriots.Kari Roozenboom turned in a 10-rebound, four-assist effort. Amanda Tilstra added eight rebounds.The 4-8 Patriots play in Round Lake Friday before hosting West Lyon Tuesday.Box scoreFink 7 2 4-4 24, Bush 3 3 0-1 15, Helgeson 3 2 0-2 12, Roozenboom 3 0 3-4 9, Hoyme 2 0 0-0 4, A.Bucher 1 0 0-0 2, Tilstra 1 0 0-0 2, J.Bucher 1 0 0-0 2.Team statisticsH-BC: 28 of 71 field goals (39 percent), seven of 11 free throws (63 percent), 49 rebounds, seven turnovers.W-WG: 10 of 66 field goals (15 percent), 12 of 18 free throws (67 percent), 41 rebounds, 24

By John RittenhousePlaying its second game in as many nights didn’t work out well for the Hills-Beaver Creek boys’ basketball team Friday in Adrian.After playing a tight game in Pipestone Thursday, the Patriots were unable to maintain their intensity 24 hours later in Adrian.The home-standing Dragons canned 47 percent of their field goals to set the stage for a 67-44 victory over the Patriots.The game was tied at two when AHS went on a 27-4 run to open a 29-6 lead with 6:10 left to play in the first half.H-BC whittled Adrian’s lead down to 19 points twice as the half continued, but the Dragons rallied late to gain a 37-23 halftime advantage.Adrian extended its lead to 34 points (59-25) in the first nine minutes of the second half.H-BC closed within 21 points late in the game, but the Patriots came up on the short end of a 23-point decision in the end.Jason Hup and Aaron Esselink scored 14 and 10 points respectively for the Patriots.Tom Scholten pulled down eight rebounds, Halden Van Wyhe charted four assists and three steals, and Devin DeBoer added three steals to H-BC’s cause.Box scoreH-BCVan Wyhe 1 1 1-3 6, Rozeboom 1 0 0-0 2, Finke 0 0 0-0 0, Scholten 1 0 2-4 4, DeBoer 0 0 1-2 1, Hup 4 0 6-8 14, Sandbulte 3 0 1-2 7, Esselink 4 0 2-4 10.Team statisticsH-BC: 15 of 63 field goals (24 percent), 13 of 24 free throws (54 percent), 31 rebounds, 17 turnovers.Adrian: 28 of 59 field goals (47 percent), five of seven free throws (71 percent), 37 rebounds, 17 turnovers.

By Lexi MooreNew lights installed over Christmas break in the H-BC High School gym will make activities there much brighter.Last fall the H-BC High School Student Council decided to purchase the lights using money they earned through vending machine sales in the halls of the high school.The new lights were purchased at a cost of $5,500.The group is responsible for stocking the machines and can use the money they earn in a way they feel will benefit the student body at H-BC.Board members said they were pleased with the results and commended the students for making such a sound decision with their money.Ann Boeve said, "I would like to thank the kids for donating their money and spending it wisely – the lights are outstanding."Superintendent David Deragisch reported that the installation had been successful with the exception that some guards had not been received. The guards will be installed when they arrive.Additionally, problems with shadows will be fixed by dropping several fixtures down six inches.The Student Council still has money in its account that will need to be spent before the end of the fiscal year. Deragisch mentioned that the group is considering purchasing new bleachers for the gym.Moerke scholarship establishedSuperintendent David Deragisch announced that Bill Moerke has worked with the school to set up a perpetual scholarship in honor of his wife, Mildred.By setting up a perpetual scholarship, the Moerke family will be able to establish the criteria and define the qualifications for students receiving the endowment.New board officersBefore starting regular business at Monday’s meeting, board members elected officers for the upcoming year.Gary Esselink was nominated for chairman. There were no other nominations.Upon taking over as chairman, Esselink thanked his board, "I am grateful for your willingness to nominate me. It is my goal to serve you well."In other officer elections, Ann Boeve will sit as vice chairman, Lloyd DeBoer will act as clerk and Lois Leuthold will take over the responsibilities of treasurer.Board members voted not to change the meeting dates and times. The H-BC School Board will continue to meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m.Elementary newsElementary principal Todd Holtaus had several people to thank at the meeting:
the Beaver Creek Fire Department members for asking the school to be part of a calendar they created for 2006. The group used drawings by H-BC students to illustrate several months in their 2006 calendar.
students at the elementary school for contributing 12 boxes of food for the Rock County Food Shelf.The school decided that students could bring donations instead of gift exchanges during their holiday parties.

By Lexi MooreThe rental rates at the Hills American Legion Hall will see an increase this year.In the past, residents could rent the Legion clubroom and kitchen for $30 per event or they could rent the entire facility for $125. A separate deposit fee is also charged.The rate increase was decided during a City Council meeting on Tuesday.Mayor Jim Jellema said, "You don’t get much for $30 anymore."He recommended the city charge $50 for use of the clubroom and kitchen.The council agreed that an increase would be appropriate because the city plans to spend money on renovating areas of the building throughout the next year.New rates for the rental of the building will be $50 for the clubroom and kitchen and $150 for the entire building.The city also decided to charge a fee for liquor permits. In 2005, the Hills Fire Department and the Community Club each requested a permit for serving alcohol.In the future, organizations and people requesting such a permit will be required to pay a $50 fee.Other city rental fees will remain the same. Residents can rent Legion tables, chairs and appliances for relatively small fees.The city will continue to rent large equipment, including the mosquito sprayer and street sweeper, for a fee plus the cost of labor.In other city news:
Fire Chief Jeff Bass asked the city for permission to apply for a FEMA grant in 2006.The department can request items they need from FEMA, as long as their city or township is willing to put up 10 percent of the total grant.In 2005 the Hills Fire Department received a FEMA grant for more than $88,000 to purchase new air tanks, boots, coats and gloves.Bass told the council that the department would like to write a grant for a rescue van.Research done by the department found new vans cost between $130,000 and $150,000 while used vans start at $20,000.The council encouraged Bass to apply for the grant this year and assured him that if it was approved, the city would put up 5 percent, if Martin Township contributes an additional 5 percent.The council insisted the grant be for a new rescue van, not a used vehicle."That way we know we are getting something that will work and already has all of the bells and whistles," said Linus Svoboda.
The city agreed to rent storage space in one Legion bathroom to the U.S. Postal Service to be used as storage space.The post office had requested storage space from the city on several occasions.If an agreement is met, the city would charge the post office $30 per month for the use of the space.

10 years ago (1996)
Luverne School Board members have signed a contract with Millennium Communications Inc., Minneapolis and Rochester, to provide Internet relay service to Luverne Schools. The school will be online by the end of the month.
Monday, Jan. 15, is a turning point for planners of the proposed $25-million ethanol plant in Luverne.That day marks the last chance for investors to buy into the project at $2.50 per share (for a minimum investment of 5,000 shares at $12,500).
Mark Sehr, son of Nick and Kay Sehr, has been hired as Rock County’s new highway engineer.25 years ago (1981)
In a planning meeting, issues facing the city of Luverne included getting a Senior Citizens Center, a new Medical Center and building a City and County Law Enforcement Center.
The Rev. Dale Phelps was installed as a new pastor at First Baptist Church in Luverne.
Shawn Klosterbuer and Todd Mann announced their engagement.
Pork Queen candidates are Diane Scholtman, Lori Groth, Darla Uilk, Darla Hansen, Julie Baustian, Monica Siebenahler and Peggy Cragoe.50 years ago (1956)
The dog Spotty alerted Henry Klosterbuer and family that there was a fire on the farm place. The fire destroyed the corn crib-granary.
Total bank deposits in the seven Rock County banks set a record high at the end of 1955, despite the low price for hogs and cattle. A total of $13,164,763.73 was listed as being on deposit in the banks.
W.G. Perkins, Luverne, was elected as chairman of the Rock County Board of Commissioners.75 years ago (1931)
The junior class of Luverne will present "Cyclone Sally," a three-act play next week.
Judge C.T. Howard last week granted five days leave to two prisoners so they could spend Christmas at their homes.
A refinishing of the auditorium of the Luverne high school, in an effort to eliminate excessive echo reactions, was completed Tuesday and the change can, therefore, be discernible in connection with the junior class play.100 years ago (1906)
The Luverne public schools opened Monday morning following the two weeks’ holiday vacation. Most of the teachers were in attendance, but in a few instances connections were missed by reason of delayed trains in the snow-bound sections north, east and south, and some of the teachers did not arrive until Tuesday.
W.A. Wright, traveling salesman for Tollerton & Stetson, of Sioux City, returned Sunday morning from St. Paul, where he had been to attend the Pure Food convention. The convention was in reality a conference between the State Dairy and Food Commission and the salesman and jobbers of the state, held for the purpose of furthering the enforcement of the pure food laws and for the detection of violations by manufacturers.

By John RittenhouseA five-game winning streak came to an end for the Luverne girls’ basketball team Friday in Redwood Falls.After securing a 10-point victory in Lennox, S.D., Thursday, the Cardinals slipped to 1-4 in Southwest Conference play with a five-point loss to Redwood Valley Friday.The 6-5 Cards play in Windom Friday before hosting Fulda Tuesday.RWV 70, Luverne 65Redwood Valley gained the lead late in the first half and never relinquished it in the final 18 minutes of play to snap Luverne’s winning streak Friday in Redwood Falls.Luverne, which led by as many as six points in the first half, fell behind 35-34 when RWV canned its final of five three-point shots in the first half right before the buzzer sounded.Luverne never regained the lead in the second half, when RWV outscored the Cards 35-31 to win by six."The difference was they shot the ball quite a bit better than we did," said LHS coach Jason Phelps. "They shot the ball well, and we couldn’t get ourselves any defensive stops."Samantha Gacke turned in a sold effort for the Cards by scoring 24 points and collecting 17 rebounds. Alyssa Klein chipped in 16 points and charted four steals. Mindy Nieuwboer added 18 points to the cause.Box scoreKlein 5 2 0-0 16, Nieuwboer 6 0 6-10 18, Snyder 1 1 0-0 5, Kuhlman 0 0 0-0 0, Hoiland 1 0 0-3 2, Gacke 10 0 4-8 24.Team statisticsLuverne: 26 of 77 field goals (34 percent), 10 of 21 free throws (48 percent), 30 rebounds, 15 turnovers.RWV: 27 of 59 field goals (46 percent), 10 of 13 free throws (77 percent), 35 rebounds, 21 turnovers.Luverne 47, Lennox 37The Cardinals proved they can bounce back from adversity when they posted a 10-point win in Lennox Thursday.LHS trailed 29-26 heading into the fourth quarter, and they lost standout guard Maggie Kuhlman due to a wrist injury for the final eight minutes of play.The Cards, however, circled the wagons and outscored the hosts 21-8 in the fourth quarter to win by 10."We played a great fourth quarter," said LHS coach Phelps. "When Maggie went down with an injury, it was nice to see some of the other kids step up and play well."Luverne’s Erin Hoiland answered the challenge in the final period. With the score tied at 29, Hoiland netted eight consecutive points to put the Cards in front to stay.Luverne, which led 11-9 and 20-17 at the first two quarter breaks, received a 17-point, 10-rebound performance from Gacke. Nieuwboer contributed four assists and three steals to the cause.Box scoreKlein 1 0 3-4 5, Niewuboer 2 1 1-2 8, Snyder 1 0 0-0 2, Kuhlman 2 1 0-0 7, Hoiland 1 2 0-0 8, Gacke 8 0 1-4 17.Team statisticsLuverne 19 of 50 field goals (38 percent), five of 10 free throws (50 percent), 12 turnovers.Lennox: 16 of 40 field goals (40 percent), four of 13 free throws (31 percent), 20 turnovers.

The Luverne gymnastics team placed second in the final standings at a triangular meet Friday in Worthington.
In the process of turning in one of their top team scores in some time, the Cardinals outscored St. Paul Johnson 127.875-123.55 during the evening.
The home-standing WHS Trojans took top honors in team competition with 134.55 points.
Senior Courtney Fodness and freshman Gretchen Nowatzki turned in the top individual efforts for the Cards.
Fodness, who placed second all-around with 34.625 points, won the bars title with an 8.5 effort. She also placed second on the floor (9.15), third on the vault (8.25) and fourth on the beam (8.15).
Nowatzki turned in Luverne’s top score on the vault of 8.85 to place second in the event.
Worthington’s Taylor Erwin took top honors on the vault (9.05) and the floor (9.175) along with capturing the all-around title with 34.925 points. Trojan Lynn Harberts won the beam crown with her 9.15 effort.
 
Individual results
Vault: Nowatzki, 8.85; Fodness, 8.825; Maddy Halfmann, 8.55; Krista Van Dyk, 8.4; Lauren Witte, 8.4.
Bars: Fodness, 8.5; Van Dyk, 7.7; Kaitlin Van Meeteren, 7.3; Melanie Van Meeteren, 7.0; Witte, 5.3.
Beam: Fodness, 8.15; Nowatzki, 7.2; Jackie Broomfield, 7.2; Paige Pierce, 7.0; Van Dyk, 6.9.
Floor: Fodness, 9.15; Van Dyk, 8..3; Nowatzki, 7.9; Pierce, 7.85; Broomfield, 7.8.

By John RittenhouseThe Ellsworth boys’ basketball team has proved it can dominate teams with a balanced offensive attack so far this season.Monday in Hills, the Panthers showed they can win games by playing outstanding defense.Ellsworth turned in a relentless defensive performance that featured the Panthers limiting H-BC to 20 percent shooting from the field during what ended as a 75-34 victory for the visitors.Thanks to its defensive effort, the Panthers locked up their 13th consecutive win by halftime.Ellsworth kept H-BC from scoring a single point while racing to a 23-0 lead 9:05 into the game.The Panthers led 45-3 before Tom Scholten converted H-BC’s first field goal of the game, a three-point shot, with 46 seconds left in the first half.When the half was compete, EHS sported a commanding 45-7 advantage.Facing a 38-point deficit entering the second half, H-BC couldn’t find a way to get back into the game during the final 18 minutes.EHS, which led by as many as 48 points in the second half, used a 30-27 scoring edge to prevail by 41 points.Cody Schilling, who scored 15 first-half points, led the Panthers with 21 counters, four rebounds and four steals.Nick Deutsch added 14 points and seven assists to the winning cause, while Aaron Vander Stoep netted 10 points and charted seven assists.Halden Van Wyhe scored 10 points for H-BC. Scholten collected seven rebounds and Adam Finke passed for three assists.The 13-0 Panthers play road games in Tracy tonight and Tyler Tuesday.H-BC, 0-11 overall, hosts Westbrook-Walnut Grove tonight and West Lyon Saturday before playing in Tyler Monday.Box scoreEllsworthNolte 0 0 2-2 2, DeBerg 3 0 0-0 6, Deutsch 1 4 0-0 14, Kramer 1 1 0-0 5, Schilling 8 1 2-3 21, Matejske 0 0 1-2 1, Van Der Stoep 2 2 0-0 10, Herman 1 0 1-2 3, Chapa 1 0 3-6 5, Lindemann 0 0 0-0 0, Kix 0 0 0-1 0; Jansma 3 0 0-0 6.H-BCVan Wyhe 2 1 3-3 10, Rozeboom 1 0 1-3 3, Finke 0 0 1-4 1, Scholten 0 1 3-6 6, DeBoer 0 0 0-0 0, Hup 3 0 1-1 7, Sandbulte 1 0 0-0 2, Esselink 1 0 0-2 2.Team statisticsEllsworth: 29 of 52 field goals (56 percent), nine of 16 free throws (56 percent), 24 rebounds, 14 turnovers.H-BC: 10 of 51 field goals (20 percent), nine of 19 free throws (47 percent), 27 rebounds, 24 turnovers.

By John RittenhouseTwo local boys’ basketball teams hungry for a victory squared off in Adrian Friday.The Adrian Dragons and Hills-Beaver Creek met for the first time since H-BC defeated AHS in the South Section 3A title game last March.With both teams struggling early this season, a victory would have been a well-received reward for either squad.At night’s end, it was Adrian that celebrated its second win of the campaign by snapping a four-game losing skid with a 67-44 victory over the winless Patriots.The score was tied at two when AHS went on a 27-4 run capped by a three-point shot by Lee Stover to open a 29-6 lead at the 6:10 mark of the first half.H-BC trimmed the difference to 19 points as the first half progressed, but Stover hit another three at the buzzer to give the Dragons a 37-13 halftime advantage.Adrian didn’t let H-BC get back into the game in the second half as the hosts led by as many as 34 points (59-25) before prevailing by 23 at game’s end.Ryan Lonneman netted 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the winners. Brad Brake, who passed for six assists, recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Stover scored all 14 of his points in the first half.Jason Hup and Aaron Esselink scored 14 and 10 points respectively for H-BC. Tom Scholten charted eight rebounds, Halden Van Wyhe four assists and three steals and Devin DeBoer three steals for the Patriots.Box scoreH-BCVan Wyhe 1 1 1-3 6, Rozeboom 1 0 0-0 2, Finke 0 0 0-0 0, Scholten 1 0 2-4 4, DeBoer 0 0 1-2 1, Hup 4 0 6-8 14, Sandbulte 3 0 1-2 7, Esselink 4 0 2-4 10.AdrianSwayze 1 0 2-2 4, Lynn 0 0 0-0 0, Lutmer 0 0 0-0 0, Lonneman 8 1 0-0 19, Kontz 1 1 0-0 5, Haken 0 1 0-0 3, Archer 0 1 1-2 4, Diekmann 0 0 0-0 0, Oertli 1 0 0-0 2, Erlandson 1 0 0-1 2, Stover 3 2 2-2 14, Brake 7 0 0-0 14, Springman 0 0 0-0 0.Team statisticsH-BC: 15 of 63 field goals (24 percent), 13 of 24 free throws (54 percent), 31 rebounds, 17 turnovers.Adrian: 28 of 59 field goals (47 percent), five of seven free throws (71 percent), 37 rebounds, 17 turnovers.