Storm Lake boys remain unbeaten after commanding win at Le Mars

Storm Lake's boys basketball team extended its undefeated run with a decisive 79-49 victory at Le Mars on Jan. 9. The Tornadoes' offense dominated the scoreboard, producing a margin that reflected both scoring depth and defensive stops that limited Le Mars' opportunities.

For Buena Vista County residents, the game is more than a box score. High school sports in small communities serve as a weekly gathering point, boosting local businesses on game nights and providing structured activity for young people. A strong season for Storm Lake draws crowds and attention that can translate into increased volunteerism, fundraising for school programs, and broader community engagement around youth development.

There are also public health benefits tied to sustained participation in school athletics. Regular physical activity among adolescents supports cardiovascular health, healthy weight, and improved sleep patterns, and team sports contribute to social connectedness and emotional resilience. When a team performs well, it often increases interest and participation at younger age levels, which can have downstream effects on population health in the county.

That said, success can highlight systemic gaps. Sustaining high-quality programs requires investment in coaching, safe facilities, transportation for students who live farther from campus, and access to injury prevention and concussion protocols. These needs disproportionately affect families with limited resources; without deliberate policy choices, students in lower-income neighborhoods or outlying rural areas may face barriers to joining school teams or receiving timely medical care after injuries.

Local policymakers and school leaders should view the Tornadoes' run as an opportunity to assess equity in athletic programming: are middle and elementary feeder teams adequately funded, do families have affordable transportation and equipment options, and are health services like athletic trainers and mental health supports available to all student-athletes? Ensuring equitable access preserves the broader community benefits that come when youth are active, connected, and supported.

The season is still unfolding, and Storm Lake's performance at Le Mars adds momentum that can lift a whole county. The takeaway? Cheer the wins, but also invest in the systems that make those wins possible—support coaches, demand safe, accessible facilities, and push for health services that protect student-athletes year round. Our two cents? Show up to the next home game, ask your school how athletic programs are funded, and encourage leaders to prioritize both performance and equity so every child in Buena Vista County can play, grow, and thrive.