Harris-Lake Park hung with its old Cornbelt Conference rival Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire throughout Tuesday’s girls basketball season opener. However, a late-game run by the Titans was enough to put a Wolves win out of reach, as GT/RA topped Harris-Lake Park 34-30 in Lake Park.

After opening the girls hoops season with a non-conference home loss to Roland-Story, Spirit Lake evened its record with a convincing road victory over former Lakes Conference rival Western Christian on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The Indians defeated the Wolfpack 64-44 in Hull.

Okoboji kept the score close in its girls hoops season-opener against MOC-Floyd Valley on Tuesday, Nov. 22, but the Pioneers ultimately fell to the Dutch on the road. MOC-Floyd Valley topped Okoboji 64-60 in Orange City.

Spirit Lake teammates Tyler Voss and Evan Beck were both named to all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association and Iowa Football Coaches Association following the 2022 football season.

Voss, a senior, was a First Team All-State selection on the defensive line after leading all of Class 2A in sacks (14) and tackles for loss (28). Voss was third in Class 2A in solo tackles (77) and fifth in total tackles (85).

At a special meeting of the Spirit Lake Protective Association (SLPA) on Saturday, Nov. 12, Terry Wilts, secretary of the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation (EOLIC), presented a check for $5,000 to the SLPA in support of the Spirit Lake North Watershed Project, a crucial 195.5-acre tract of land located just across the border (Minnesota side) which became a reality this past May.

It may not look like it now, but the ice fishing season is just around the corner.  In some areas, it’s already gone around the corner and is pulling into the driveway. Winter means different things to different people. To some it means shoveling the sidewalk and icy roads.  But for those of us who enjoy fishing through the ice, winter brings excitement.   

The long wait is almost over. For an expected 100,000 deer hunters, the shotgun deer seasons are right around the corner and before they head to the timber, it’s important that everyone go through their gear to make sure everything still fits and still works and takes time to review their hunting safety plan.

Hundreds of yellow ovals offset the brown and green coloration of each female brown trout ready to spawn at the Manchester Fish Hatchery. The splashes of color are signs that trout spawning season is in full swing.

Hunters donated 4,183 deer hides to Elks Lodges across Iowa last year, which was a slight increase from the 2021-22 season. The deer hides are used by the Veterans Leather Program to make professionally-crafted leather gloves for veterans in wheelchairs and also turned into leather used for therapy programs for recovering veterans.

Harris-Lake Park’s girls basketball team dropped an interstate showdown with Adrian/Ellsworth on Saturday, Nov. 26. The Wolves fell 51-22 to the Dragons.

Spirit Lake’s football team put together one of the best seasons in program history this year, winning 10 straight games and a district championship while making a run to the Class 2A quarterfinals. The Indians picked up postseason wins over Sheldon and Clear Lake, but eventually fell to state semifinalist OABCIG on Nov. 4, ending their season with a 10-1 overall record and a 5-0 mark in the district.

KEY VICTORY

Okoboji’s football team struggled throughout the 2022 season. The Pioneers suffered several injuries early on and were never at full strength while going 1-8 overall and 0-5 in Class 2A District 1.

KEY VICTORY

After a series of devastating injuries left Okoboji’s football season in peril, the Pioneers were desperate for a spark. They needed something — anything — to give them hope heading into a Week 3 road game with Manson-Northwest Webster.

This year’s Harris-Lake Park football squad made history by clinching back-to-back district championships. The Wolves accomplished that feat after bouncing back from a lopsided Week 1 loss to eventual state champion Remsen St. Mary’s. A five-game winning streak — capped with a thrilling homecoming win over rival Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire — put the Wolves in the driver’s seat and a 68-6 win over North Iowa clinched a share of a second straight crown.

Spirit Lake dropped its girls basketball season opener to Roland-Story on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Norseman topped the Indians 49-45 in Spirit Lake.

“It was a game that we just didn't get over the hump,” Spirit Lake coach Todd Rogers said. “It was a five-point game most of the second half and we had our chances against a good team. They had three starters back from their 3A state qualifier last year.”