NRHEG was playing catch up the rest of the game. The Panthers outscored Medford 38-36 in the second half but had too much ground to make up.
“We dug ourselves too big a hole and couldn’t climb out of it,” said Churchill.
Conner Chapple poured in 25 points and Alex Spinler totaled 21 for Medford.
“Those two guys really played well for Medford,” said Churchill. “They were able to do whatever they wanted on the offensive end.”
Kade Cronin chipped in with nine points.
Spencer Tollefson erupted for a season high 29 points for the Panthers. He had 15 points in the second half.
Nick Mangskau pumped in 18 points for NRHEG.
Only three other players scored and no one else had more than five points.
The NRHEG junior varsity pulled out a 46-41 win over Medford.
Hayfield
HAYFIELD – Hayfield established itself as one of the section favorites as the Vikings rolled to a one-sided 80-39 victory over NRHEG in Hayfield Saturday.
Coach Chris Pack’s Vikings improved to 9-2 for the season.
NRHEG slipped to 2-8, including just one road win in seven starts.
“Hayfield took control of the game right away,” said Churchill. “They are one of the best teams in our section and they played like it tonight.”
The balanced Hayfield squad rolled to a 52-22 advantage at halftime.
NRHEG held the Vikings to 28 second-half points, but only managed 17 of its own.
Brady Kramer’s 21 points led four Hayfield players into double figures.
Cole Krueger fired in 19, Trevor Anderson scored 14 and Jeremy Stuart added 11.
“Defensively, we made it easy for them,” said Churchill. “Everything they wanted to do they were able to do today.”
Tollefson pumped in 20 points, but was the only double-digit scorer for the Panthers.
Macoy Schwierjohann added six points, one more than Mangskau.
“We need to get better defensively if we want to compete against good teams,” said Churchill. “Hayfield pushes the ball and really puts the pressure on you. We did not rise up to make them work for anything.”
Hayfield also won the junior varsity game defeating the Panthers 53-43.
NRHEG hits the road for games at Randolph Friday and St. Clair Monday.
The Panthers return home to battle Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Tuesday.
Medford 72, NRHEG 58
Medford 36 36 72
NRHEG 20 38 58
NRHEG (58): Tollefson 29, Mangskau 18, Schwierjohan 5, White 3, Tracy 3.
Hayfield 80, NRHEG 39
NRHEG 22 17 39
Hayfield 52 28 80
NRHEG (39): Tollefson 20, Schwierjohan 6, Mangskau 5, Kalis 3, Goette 3, Schendel 2.
NEXT: Friday – NRHEG at Randolph, 7:15 p.m.
