Sports

H-BC girls' basketball falls to SWC 66-63
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
January 10, 2024
The H-BC girls’ basketball team hosted Southwest Minnesota Christian Thursday, Jan. 4, and fell to the E-gals 66-63. The Patriots were able to take a 34-27 lead against the Eagles in the first half, but Southwest pulled together in the second half with several 3-point shots to get ahead of H-BC. “The girls had a 36-minute battle against Southwest Christian,” head coach Dylan Gehrke said. “It…
Luverne girls’ hockey team beats Fairmont 11-0, improves to 10-5 this season
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
January 10, 2024
The Luverne girls’ hockey team improved their season record to 10-5 with an 11-0 win over Fairmont Tuesday, Jan. 2, in Fairmont. The Luverne Cardinals peppered Fairmont’s goalie with 58 total shots on goal in the game and held Fairmont to only eight attempts, which LHS goalie sophomore Emma Saarloos knocked away. Luverne opened the game with two goals in the first period. Eighth-grader Ellie…
Looking back in history
By Scot Rall, Outdoor Columnist
January 10, 2024
An interesting winter we’ve been having until this week. Don’t get me wrong, but I can say I totally loved it. There was no snow to shovel and holiday travel and other events had no road conditions to worry about. What this also means is that if you are a die-hard ice angler or pike spearer, there has been very little to no opportunity in the southern half of Minnesota. There is still some cool…
Lady Pates beat St. Mary Catholic 79-50
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
January 03, 2024
The H-BC girls’ basketball team hosted St. Mary’s Catholic from Dell Rapids, South Dakota, beating the Cardinals 79-50. “There were a ton of great things that our girls did on Friday night,” head coach Dylan Gehrke said. “The most pleasing was to see our assist total as a team. We had a career high as a team since I started coaching with a total of 25 assists.” H-BC as a team grabbed 43 total…
LHS female wrestlers ruffle feathers at Rebel Girls’ Holiday Classic in Champlin
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
January 03, 2024
The Luverne girls’ wrestling team traveled to Champlin for the Rebel Girls Holiday Classic Friday, Dec. 29, with nine Cardinals competing in the 27-team event. The Cardinal girls’ team was in the top five teams with the most girls participating. St. Michael-Albertville had 34 girls on their team. Forest Lake had 21 girls, Hastings brought 18, Apple Valley had 12 and Luverne was there with nine…
Patriot boys beat Minneota 71-65
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
January 03, 2024
The H-BC boys’ basketball team traveled to Southwest Minnesota State University Saturday, Dec. 30, to play Minneota in the Holiday Classic. The Patriots beat the Vikings 71-65 in the game. “In the first half we got off to a slow start,” head coach Chad Rauk said. “We had quite a few turnovers and gave up too many second chance points.” With the win, H-BC shut down Minneota’s eight-game win…
Luverne boys’ hockey wins three games at Rochester Holiday Festival
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
January 03, 2024
The Luverne boys’ hockey team played in the Rochester Kiwanis Hockey Festival Dec. 27-29 at the Graham Arena Complex in Rochester. Luverne played in the Varsity Blue division with five other teams that included Albert Lea, Austin, LaCrescent, Rochester and Windom. The Cardinals beat Rochester 6-2 Wednesday, Dec. 27, took down Albert Lea 8-3 Thursday, Dec. 28, and walked over Austin 12-1 Friday…
Cardinal girls’ hockey team finishes 2-1 at Herb Brooks Holiday Classic
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
January 03, 2024
The Luverne girls’ hockey team traveled to Blaine Dec. 26-28 to play in the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic at the National Sports Center Super Rink over the holiday break. The Cardinals participated in the Girls Varsity Gold bracket along with Duluth Marshall, Duluth Northern Stars, Hudson, Mankato East, Mounds View/Irondale, River Lakes and Wayzata. The Cardinals took third place in the…
Every season is a good one
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnist
January 03, 2024
By the time you read this, the 22-23 pheasant hunting season will have come to a close. My dad always used to tell me that if you want to see how fast time flies, take out a 90-day note at the bank. I will add to that with how time flies; just see how fast a 10-week pheasant season vanishes. I had a very good season, with more birds harvested this year over last. Like every year, the later into…
2023 - oh what a year
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
December 27, 2023
The 2023 sports season saw eight teams make state appearances from both Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek communities. The Cardinals and Patriots also had several individual athletes participate in state events which included gymnastics, wrestling, track and field, cross-country and golf. Here is a breakdown of the teams and individuals that made state appearances this past year. LHS Girls’…
Reflecting back on 2023
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
December 27, 2023
As we usher out another year, we look ahead to a new year of possibilities and experiences. Looking back, I reflect on the sports I have covered, the people I have met, the places I have been able to go, and things I was able to do in my job as the sports editor: •all the miles I’ve driven for LHS and H-BC events, Redbird baseball playoffs, and state competitions in St. Paul. •the thousands of…
Cardinal boys’ hockey team beats Worthington and Dodge County, ups season record to 8-0
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
December 27, 2023
The Luverne boys’ hockey team extended their win streak to eight games after beating Worthington 18-2 Thursday, Dec. 21, and holding off Dodge County 4-3 Friday, Dec. 22, both at home. Over the winter break, the Cardinals will travel to Rochester for three games in the Kiwanis Hockey Festival. Luverne will take on Rochester Lourdes Wednesday, Dec. 27, play Albert Lea Thursday, Dec. 28, and…
Patriots, Cardinals battle to 57-51 H-BC win in Luverne
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
December 27, 2023
The H-BC girls’ basketball team traveled to Luverne Tuesday, Dec. 19, beating the Cardinals 57-51 and hosted Westbrook-Walnut Grove Thursday, Dec. 21, falling 57-42. The Patriots will host St. Mary Friday, Dec. 29, and Southwest Minnesota Christian Thursday, Jan. 4. The Luverne Cardinals are scheduled to host Windom Tuesday, Jan. 2, and travel to Marshall Friday, Jan. 5. H-BC 57, LHS 51…
Luverne Cardinal girls’ hockey team beats Worthington 10-1 at home, record now 7-4 for the season
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
December 27, 2023
The Luverne girls’ hockey team hosted Worthington Thursday, Dec. 21, beating the Trojans 10-0. Scoring first for Luverne was sophomore Hannah Woodley assisted by eighth-grader Trinley Vanderburg and sophomore Paula Martinez. Sophomore Ella Apel scored the second goal assisted by freshman Macie Edstrom and freshman Tenley Behr. Eighth-grader Ella Van Batavia scored Luverne’s third and fourth…
I need to find just the right minute
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnist
December 27, 2023
So, when does an afternoon pheasant hunt turn into a nature walk? Every hunt is a nature walk, but normally at least a few of those nature walks will result in a pheasant or two in the game vest. Late season is far harder than hunting the young and dumb ones that had never been busted by a dog. There is a certain challenge in hunting last season roosters and it is a challenge I enjoy, but this…
LHS wrestlers win two duals, lose one at Red Rock Central Quad
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor
December 27, 2023
The Luverne Cardinals wrestling team traveled to Lamberton for the Red Rock Central Quad on Tuesday, Dec. 19. “Tuesday was a tough day. The team was hurting by the loss of Josh,” head coach Jordan Kopp said. “They pulled together and wanted to go wrestle and be together. It was an emotional night,” Kopp said. “They went out and wrestled as well as they could.” Teams at the quad were the host…