DES MOINES — The Exira-EHK Spartans traveled to Des Moines on Wednesday night to take on the defending Class 1A state champions, the St. Albert Saintes, in the Class 1A quarterfinal round. Despite battling back from an early deficit, the Spartans fell by a final score of 45-37.

MANNING — The IKM-Manning boys basketball team finished the 2025-26 season with a 14-9 over-all record and a 9-7 mark in Western Iowa Conference play, securing the program’s best win-loss finish since the 2019 season when the Wolves went 14-8 overall.

CARROLL — The Exira-EHK Spartans are headed back to Des Moines. Facing the GTRA Titans on Wednesday night with a berth in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Basketball Tournament on the line, the Spartans turned a defensive battle into a commanding 57-38 victory to secure their spot at the Casey’s Center next week.

MANNING — The IKM-Manning Wolves opened postseason play with a strong performance on Monday night, as they pulled away in the second half to defeat the Paton-Churdan Rockets, 77–46, in Class 1A District 15 action.

From the opening tip, the Wolves played with confidence and pace. 

MANNING — The IKM-Manning Wolves boys basketball team has won three of its last four games with one regular-season contest remaining. 

Along the way, Ben Ramsey and head coach Keith Wagner each reached major career milestones.

MANNING — The IKM-Manning girls basketball team went 1–2 last week, earning a dominant win over ArWeVa before dropping conference matchups to Underwood and state-ranked Treynor. 

HARLAN — The Harlan Community Cyclone boys basketball team completed a season sweep of rival Denison-Schleswig on Tuesday night with a 48–32 win, backed by a strong defensive effort.

Jerome V. Zimmerman “Jerry”, was born April 11, 1936, on a farm North of Westphalia, IA. He was the 11th of 14 children born to Frank and Celia Zimmerman. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church, and went to St. Boniface Catholic School, graduation with the class of 1954. 

Carole Thraen was born on November 1, 1945, in Harlan, Iowa, to Gerald and Gladys (Knudsen) Grabill. She attended Shelby-Tennant School and graduated in 1964. Though only 4’11”, Carole was a forward for the basketball team and was known for her quickness. She also served as a baton majorette for the marching band.