“I thought our offensive execution in the second half was as good as we've done all year,” said Churchill. “We were moving and screening and having long, good possessions. Waseca is a heck of a team. We know that a lot of things went right for us tonight and didn't for them.Our section is so good that we have to be ready to play every night.”
Baker led all scorers with 23 points for the Panthers. Spencer Tollefson added 15 points while Kevin Kalis netted 11.
The Panthers battled hard but came up just short on Friday, Feb. 6 against Gopher Conference foe Waterville-Elysian-Morristown. The Bucs notched a 65-59 win.
“This goes to show you how tough our conference and our section is,” said Churchill. “The key to the game was WEM’s defense.They played a solid game on defense and Zac Olson, Kalen Dorenkemper and Cole Pope did a nice job scoring.”
Olson led all scorers with 28 points for the Bucs. Dorenkemper added 17 points while Pope contributed 15. Tollefson paced the Panthers with 15 points while Macoy Schweirjohann scored 12 and Baker added 10.
The game stayed close throughout and the teams went to the break tied at 26. A late turnover followed by an intentional foul allowed WEM to ice the game on the free-throw line.
“It was a tough loss for our boys,” said Churchill. “I thought we battled hard but came up short against a well-coached team.”
NRHEG is now 17-4 overall, 8-3 in the Gopher Conference.
Individual Stats:
NRHEG
Spencer Tollefson 15 points 5 rebounds, Trevor Tracy 9 points (3 threes) 5 assists, Macoy Schwierjohan 4 points 5 assists 6 rebounds, Kevin Kalis 11 points 8 rebounds, Oakley Baker 23 points 5 rebounds, Chad Agrimson 4 points, Tyler Raimann 8 points 4 rebounds.
Waseca
Shane Streich 13 points , Nick Dufault 17 points, Isaac Highum 16 points, Elijah Carter 2 points, Tyler Kolander 3 points , Owen Lewer 1 point, Jake Guse 1 point
NRHEG
Spencer Tollefson 15 points, Macoy Schwierjohan 12 points, Oakley Baker 10 points, Kevin Kalis 9 points, Trevor Tracy 7 points, John Cole 6 points.
WEM
Zac Olson 28 Points, Kalen Dorenkemper 17 points, Cole Pope 15 points, Tyler Teigmier 3 points, Dallas McBroom 2 points.
