The search is over for a new head coach for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team, and they didn’t have to look far.

Onika Peterson, an assistant under John Schultz for the Panthers’ 2013 and 2014 state championships, has been hired as Schultz’s successor.

Peterson, an NRHEG graduate and daughter of Adryn and Julie Peterson of rural New Richland, said she’s extremely excited about the opportunity to be the Panthers’ head coach and already is looking forward to next season.

In other NRHEG coaching news, head softball coach Wendy Schultz resigned, following the graduation of her daughter Jade from NRHEG High School.