Mitchell Weber and Paul Lang led St. Clair with 18 points each.
“This was a very good game,” said Churchill. “I don't think the lead either way was more then five points all night. Our two bigs both got in early foul trouble against their big kid Weber and we were forced to go zone and were able to go into the locker room up by one.”
The key to the end of the game was half-court defense. Overgaard and Cole hit back-to-back threes to secure the victory.
NRHEG’s junior varsity won 59-33.
The Panthers struggled at Mapleton.
“Maple River came out very aggressive and dominated the game from start to finish,” said Churchill. “I was very impressed with how hard they play on defense and how efficient they are on offense. I told my guys that we played great half-court defense in the first half until the shot when up, and then Maple River just punished us on the offensive glass.”
The Eagles had 11 offensive rebounds that accounted for 15 points. That was the difference in the first half.
“Maple River is a tremendous team that is extremely well coached,” said Churchill. “We know we have a lot of work to do to get to their level.”
Individually for the Panthers: Baker 19 points, eight rebounds; Raimann six points, six rebounds; Cole four points, seven rebounds; Lundberg four points; Jack Schultz four points; Cole Ignaszewski two points.
The Eagles were led by Will Keller and Cole Sohre with 16 apiece.
