Leverage

Matthew Dickinson/West Branch Times West Branch’s Gabe Depoorter prepares a throw during the Bears’ Dec. 12 River Valley Conference quad at Bellevue.

Five of its regular-season opponents made the playoffs.

More RVC foes fall at hands of Bears
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 18, 2024
Despite missing returning state placewinner Ethan Humphrey, the West Branch boys’ wrestling team took care of business in another River Valley Conference dual sweep Dec. 12 at Bellevue.

Individual wins continue to rack up for girls
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 18, 2024
In another brisk River Valley Conference quad, the West Branch girls’ wrestling team had an 0-3 team mark and quality individual efforts Monday night at Cascade.

No. 12 Cougars press defense to beat Bears
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 18, 2024
In a tough Dec. 10 home test against Class 2A No. 12 Cascade, the West Branch girls’ basketball team fell 52-24 to the ranked Cougars.

West Branch falls to Cascade’s ranked squad
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 18, 2024
In a matchup with one of the top Class 2A teams in the state, the West Branch boys’ basketball team battled the River Valley Conference North’s Cascade but fell 67-45 Dec. 10 at home.

Freshman-sophomore football team played with ‘no fear’
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Sports · December 18, 2024
Even though the freshman-sophomore team only earned one tie game and no victories, Coach Stephen Grace said they played with “no fear.”

Grapplers sweep RVC foes in quad
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 11, 2024
In a later season debut than normal, West Branch’s boys’ wrestling team soundly defeated Mid-Prairie and Beckman while winning a tight 39-33 dual against Tipton to complete a conference quad sweep Dec. 5 at Beckman.

Grapplers mix experience, hopefuls in ‘24-25
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 11, 2024
The West Branch boys’ wrestling team has an intriguing blend of returning wrestlers and a group of incoming grapplers looking to make their mark following a dream season a year ago.

Shorthanded grapplers still collect match wins
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 11, 2024
In a River Valley Conference quad that turned into an arm-raising competition, the shorthanded West Branch girls’ wrestling team had an 0-3 team mark but plenty of promising individual performances Monday night at Durant.

Bears still building offense in loss to NEGL
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 11, 2024
In a defensive slugfest, the West Branch boys’ basketball team came up short to Northeast, 53-40 Friday night at home.

Rebels find way over Bears’ defensive effort
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 11, 2024
In a gritty defensive effort, the West Branch girls’ basketball team came up on the short end of a 52-34 River Valley Conference interdivisional matchup against Northeast Friday night at home.

Girls overcome Iowa Valley in opener
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · December 04, 2024
In its road and season opener, the West Branch girls’ basketball team used a fast start and survived a late run by Iowa Valley to dispatch the Tigers 56-47 Nov. 26.