The NRHEG Panthers gave it their all and then some against the tall and talented Norwood-Young America Raiders in the Section 2AA girls’ basketball championship game.
It just wasn’t enough.
The underdog Panthers played from behind all night and some crucial plays did not go their way as they fell short 67-56 at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday, March 11. NRHEG finished an outstanding season one win away from the state tournament, with an overall record of 23-7.
The Raiders, who should represent Section 2AA well in the state tournament, took advantage of their superior height and hit several key three-pointers while building a 30-24 halftime lead.
Led by their junior twin guards, Maddie and Marnie Wagner, the Panthers pulled within 50-48 with about five minutes remaining, but Norwood-Young America responded with a 7-0 run and sank free throws down the stretch, going 23-for-24 at the line for the night.
The Wagners scored 20 points apiece for the Panthers, who also got eight each from Kayley Camerer and Rachel Collins.
The Panthers graduate three seniors in Emily Eder, Sophia Fischer and Hailey Schuller.
Make sure you enter all the required information, indicated by an asterisk (*). HTML code is not allowed.
