The Panthers went on a 6-0 run to start the second half, but with NRHEG leading 25-23, the Eagles, behind Brieter, took control. Brieter, who finished with a game-high 31 points, put the exclamation point on a 14-0 run with a three-pointer that would push the Eagles to a double-digit advantage late in the second half.
But the Panthers would keep battling back and chipped the lead down to just a single point with 9 seconds left in the game. The Panthers took their final possession after securing the rebound off a missed Maple River free throw. With time winding down, Macoy Schwierjohann was able to drive the lane on the other end, but lost the ball in heavy traffic while attempting the potential game-winning shot.
“Our kids just never gave up and they were going to go down swinging,” said Churchill. “That last possession just didn’t go our way.”
Spencer Tollefson and Oakley Baker each scored 19 points to help lead the Panthers. Schwierjohann finished with 9 points to go with 6 assists.
The Panthers finished the season with a 22-5 overall record. Maple River (27-3) defeated Glencoe-Silver Lake 59-56 in the Section 2AA finals on Friday, March 6 and advanced to the state tournament as the No. 3 Seed in Class AA. They opened tournament play against Breckenridge (21-7) on Wednesday, March 11.
The loss means the end for eight Panther seniors. NRHEG will enter their 2015-16 campaign without Tollefson, Trevor Tracy, Schwierjohann, Kevin Kalis, Brady Beenken, Kelson Titus, Andy Shutrop and Colten Hagen.
“I am so proud of my team,” said Churchill. “They fought all year long and worked tremendously hard. When you have a team go 22-5, it’s tough to see them go, our seniors especially. I am really going to miss that crew. They were tremendous basketball players, leaders, and people.”
NRHEG
Spencer Tollefson 19 points 9 rebounds, Trevor Tracy 7 points, Macoy Schwierjohan 9 points 6 rebounds 6 assists, Kevin Kalis 2 points, Oakley Baker 19 points 8 rebounds, John Cole 5 points, Tyler Raimann 2 points.
Maple River
Jonah Breiter 31 points, Grant Sonnek 17 points, Will Keller 1 point, Jeff Lewis 5 points, Cole Sohre 3 points, Brandon Sohre 5 points, Andrew Albrecht 2 points.