Sports

OBERLIN — Junior Will Donley took second in the 132-lb. weight bracket Jan. 13 for the Bearcat boys’ wrestling team.Donley wrestled against Siegfried of McCook, Neb., and won by a fall, also racking up points from takedowns, reversals and nearfalls.

Senior Loden West, Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School football team member, was selected for the 51st Kansas Shrine Bowl and will play in the East vs. West All-Star Game June 29 at Welch Stadium at Emporia State University, Emporia.

The Ellsworth boys’ basketball team took a win in their first league game of the season, beating Minneapolis 53-25 Dec. 12 at home.After senior Riley Stone won the tipoff, the Cats were on their way.

RUSSELL — The boys’ basketball team took first place at the Amos Morris Classic Dec. 4-9 in Russell for the second year in a row.Beating Plainville in the first-round game, the Bearcats set themselves up for a successful week from the start.

In their season-opening game, the Bearcat boys’ basketball team took a substantial win over Lyons Dec. 1, beating the Lions 59-31.Jumping out from the start, Ellsworth dominated from the moment they won the tip-off until they secured the victory.

JV tennisThe junior varsity girls’ tennis season was a huge success. With grit and determination, the talented team overcame setbacks to have an 8-1 record.The team had two seniors, Emma Salyers and Rebekah Vague, who both had a 19-6 record.

The Bearcat football season came to a close against the Norton Bluejays in the sectional round of playoffs Nov. 10 when the Cats lost 20-6 at home.“Winning two playoff rounds and the third nine-win season is something these players can always look fondly back at,” Head Coach Josh Homolka said.

Football team reaches sectional playoffs for first time in 36 yearsGARDEN PLAIN — The now No. 4-ranked Ellsworth Bearcats had their most exciting game this season against the Garden Plain Owls, narrowly winning 34-31 Nov. 3.

The Ellsworth Bearcats crushed the Haven Wildcats 42-0 in their first playoff game Oct. 27 at home. The team bounced back after the first loss of the season against Southeast of Saline the week before, and exceeded expectations on the field.