NRHEG Sports (656)
The latest game results and prognostications for NRHEG.{jcomments on}
TOUGH PLAY — NRHEG's Sam Lundberg (32), Spencer Hanna (15) and Nic Mangskau (10) scramble for a loose ball against Bethlehem Academy at New Richland last Tuesday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG boys’ basketball team experienced both ends of the spectrum last week.
Unfortunately, neither was a victory.
The Panthers kept it close throughout against Bethlehem Academy on Tuesday, falling 51-46 at New Richland. Three nights later they were blown out by United South Central 75-37 at Wells.
Tuesday was a familiar story of late for the Panthers, according to coach Pat Churchill.
“We play well, but fall on the short end of the stick,” he said. “BA made the plays down the stretch and made their free throws to win the game. It is very frustrating for our kids. We know we are playing better basketball but we aren't seeing the results in the wins and losses.”
ANOTHER GOOD SEASON — The NRHEG cheer competition team is competing for the state championship Saturday at Roy Wilkins Arena in St. Paul. The team will also be honored for academic achievement and two team members will receive state awards. Front from left: Stormi Hagen, Dana Jensen, Tiara Robran, Kiley Beenken, Michaela Hansen, Hailey Johnson, Harlee Vokoun and Lexi Wayne. Back: Brina Bergland, Presley Johnson, Hannah Lewison, Brenna Hagen, coach Kari Buendorf, Maddy Schwierjohann, Tara Simon, Jadyn Nelson-Spies and Hannah Light. (Submitted photo)
The NRHEG High School cheer competition team has had another great season.
The girls placed first at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, third at the University of Minnesota, second at Chaplin Park, first in Rochester, and another second-place finish at the Mall of America this past weekend.
There are 16 girls who compete on the team and represent the communities well. This year’s team members are seniors Harlee Vokoun, Michaela Hansen, Lexi Wayne, Tiara Robran and Hailey Johnson; juniors Dana Jensen, Brina Bergland, Maddy Schwierjohann, Brenna Hagen, Tara Simon, Hannah Lewison, Kiley Beenken and Emmy Hobbs; sophomores Presley Johnson, Jadyn Nelson-Spies and Stormi Hagen. Hannah Light is also part of the team but is out with a back injury and is missed greatly by her teammates.
NRHEG girls enjoy 4-0 week, improve to 19-0
STRAIGHT TO THE HOOP — Abby Crabtree of NRHEG (5) drives straight into four Maple River defenders at New Richland last week. Also pictured for NRHEG are Tori Raimann (11) and Hannah Lundberg (21). (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
WHAT TO DO — The Panthers’ Danielle Krueger, left, looks to either shoot or pass the ball to Tori Raimann (11) against Waseca last week. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
As it has been all season, nobody could stop the NRHEG girls’ basketball team last week. The Panthers improved to 19-0 overall and 9-0 in the Gopher Conference with four more victories. The Panthers were rated No. 3 in the state in Class AA in last week’s rankings.
On Monday at home against Maple River, the Panthers took an early 20-2 advantage, led 50-13 at halftime and rolled to a 78-34 triumph.
“Our bench played well and played a lot of the game,” said coach John Schultz. “They could not handle our press. We broke free for a lot of layups. I was proud to see the rebound totals in our favor, 47-24.”
NRHEG individual statistics: Carlie Wagner 22 points, five assists; Katie Cole 12 points, nine rebounds; Jade Schultz 10 points, five rebounds, three assists; Anna Schlaak nine points, nine rebounds, five steals; Abby Crabtree eight points; Maddie Wagner eight points; Raelin Schue five points; Tori Raimann two points; Marnie Wagner one point.
NEVER LET GO — NRHEG’s Geoff Ramaker, left, goes for a single-leg takedown on USC’s Colten Carlson during last Thursday’s Gopher Conference dual meet at Wells. The Rebels won the meet, 50-24. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
NRHEG wrestling coach Paul Cyr does not really believe his team is as bad as last Thursday’s 50-24 loss at United South Central might indicate.
But one thing is clear.
“At this point,” said Cyr. “It looks like USC is better than we are.”
The Rebels were on this night, scoring six falls to pull off an upset in what has become one of the area’s best wrestling rivalries. It was the first dual-meet loss of the season for the Panthers, who dropped to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the Gopher Conference.
“We were really disappointed in the outcome of our dual with USC,” said Cyr. “There were not many bright spots, even from an individual standpoint.”
Having starters Brandon LeBlanc and Matt Dahle out of the lineup did not help NRHEG.
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
If close games counted as wins, it would have been a perfect week for the NRHEG boys’ basketball team.
As it was, they’ll settle for a pair of strong performances.
The Panthers played well but lost twice last week, falling to Blue Earth Area 46-45 on a last-second tip Tuesday and succumbing 71-65 at Mankato Loyola Friday.
The Panthers ran their record to 3-6 in the Gopher Conference and 5-12 overall.
A tip at the buzzer by BEA sophomore Luke Monson was the difference in Tuesday’s game at Blue Earth, which saw four lead changes in the last two minutes.
“It was a classic finish,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We'd hit a big shot and they'd make one.”
Matt Carlson hit a three-pointer with 7.8 seconds left to give NRHEG a one-point lead. Blue Earth called time out and quickly brought ball up the court for a shot. The Bucs tipped it twice and the ball bounced and laid on top of the rim for what seemed like forever before dropping in.
Wrestlers impressive at Stewartville Invitational
Written by Jim LutgensEsplan, Lassahn net 100th career wins
MAT MILESTONE — NRHEG senior David Lassahn, top, was one of two Panther wrestlers to record his 100th career victory at Stewartville Saturday, along with senior Dustin Esplan. Both reached the finals as the Panthers placed third. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
There are times when it can be a challenge to please NRHEG wrestling coach Paul Cyr.
The Panthers made sure Saturday was not one of those days.
The NRHEG boys did some of their best wrestling of the season at the Stewartville Invitational, where they finished third among 10 schools.
“This was by far and away our best outing of the season, not only in the number of team points and place, but in overall intensity and effort against good competition. It was great to see our guys wrestle at this level.”
Senior nabs 797th career board as NRHEG basketball girls stay unbeaten
GAME BALL — Anna Schlaak was presented a trophy ball and received some words of wisdom from coach John Schultz after garnering her 797th career rebound last Tuesday, becoming the school’s all-time rebounding leader. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Mark another milestone for the 2011-12 NRHEG girls’ basketball team.
Anna Schlaak, a senior, set the all-time school record for rebounds last Tuesday, just two weeks after sophomore Carlie Wagner topped the 1,000-point mark for her career.
The game? Oh yeah, the undefeated and No. 3 rated Panthers rolled 90-22 at Medford.
As when Wagner hit her milestone, the game was stopped and Schlaak was presented a trophy ball by coach John Schultz after pulling down her 797th career rebound. Schlaak is slated to play college volleyball in the fall.
The Panthers totally dominated the game, taking a 53-11 halftime advantage.
LIFE IN THE PAINT — Spencer Hanna of the Panthers hangs onto a rebound despite being harassed by WEM defenders at New Richland last Friday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG boys’ basketball team put together a winning streak for the first time this season last week.
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown put an end to it.
After defeating Medford 63-58 on Tuesday and topping Randolph 57-41 Thursday, the Panthers fell 68-55 at home Friday night to Gopher Conference-leading WEM.
The Panthers, who started the season 0-5, improved their record to 5-10 overall and 3-5 in the Gopher Conference.
At home against Medford, the survived a back-and-forth contest, going on a 6-0 run to take a 26-18 halftime lead and starting the second half on a 7-0 run. Medford battled back but couldn’t get any closer than four after that.
Wrestlers battle inconsistency, run record to 7-0
Written by Jim Lutgens
PIN TO WIN — The Panthers’ Dustin Esplan, top, pins Blue Earth Area’s Mike Ankeny during the 126-pound match in New Richland last Friday. The Panthers were 3-0 on the night, including a 36-30 win over BEA. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
SIX POINTS — Seth Petranek of NRHEG scores a fall against his BEA opponent Friday night. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG wrestling team improved its dual-meet record to 7-0 while throttling three opponents in last Friday’s Panther Quad in New Richland.
The Panthers slammed St. Clair 54-15, trampled Triton 48-22 and got by Blue Earth Area 36-30.
“Despite getting three wins, as a group this was not a great effort by the Panthers,” said NRHEG coach Paul Cyr. “We never had everyone on the same level of intensity for a whole dual meet. When one guy would wrestle well, someone else would come up with a poor effort. I certainly hope we can get everyone pointed in the right direction by Saturday.”
Winning for NRHEG against St. Clair were Dillan Kubiatowicz, 106 pounds; Jade Waltz, 120; Dustin Esplan, 126; David Lassahn, 145; Nathan Krohn, 160; Dillon Parpart, 170; Keith Maxon, 182; Geoff Ramaker, 195; Seth Petranek, 220; and Zeke Erickson, 285.
Winners in the Triton meet were Kubiatowicz, 106; Brandon LeBlanc, 138; Lassahn, 145; Jake Staloch, 152; Nathan Krohn, 160; Parpart, 170; Maxon, 195; Petranek, 220; and Erickson, 285.
Posting wins against BEA: Esplan, 126; Tyler Logan, 132; LeBlanc, 138; Lassahn 145; Parpart, 170; Ramaker, 182; and Petranek, 195.
“David Lassahn had an excellent night for us, scoring three falls,” said Cyr. “It was great to see Dillon Kubiatowicz get in the win column twice after having a rough start to the season.”
The Panthers dropped from the Guilltine’s Class A top 12 but remain in the magazine’s “Lean and Mean” category.
The Panthers wrestle at Stewartville Saturday.
MINE — The Panthers’ Anna Schlaak grabs a rebound Saturday evening against Hayfield. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The Hayfield Vikings came to New Richland with a good defensive game plan to stop the NRHEG girls’ basketball team.
It worked only so well.
The undefeated Panthers were held to a 22-17 halftime lead and went on to win 50-40 in a nonconference game Saturday night.
“Hayfield really matched up with us nicely on defense,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “The biggest difference in the game was the team rebounds where we almost doubled them. We were frustrated with missing so many bunny shots. We were glad to get them, but we just couldn’t connect. I was happy with our man defense we used a lot of the second half. Hayfield is much better than their record indicates, very well coached.”
The Panthers, rated No. 3 in the state in Class AA in the most recent poll, improved their overall record to 11-0. They’re 5-0 and alone atop the Gopher Conference.
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ON HIS GAME — Tyler Sorenson of the Panthers (11) goes up for a shot against Hayfield Saturday night. Coach Pat Churchill said the senior is playing very good basketball right now. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG boys’ basketball team fell short against a strong Hayfield team Saturday night, dropping a 56-45 nonconference decision in New Richland.
The Panthers fell to 3-9 overall. The Vikings improved to 10-3.
It was a hard fought, physical, defensive game, according to Panthers coach Pat Churchill, whose team jumped to an early six-point lead. Hayfield slowly got the momentum — particularly at the foul line, where they shot 35 free throws, 14 in the first half — and took a 27-19 halftime advantage.
“We were fouling a little bit too much and letting them get opportunities from the line,” said Churchill. “Fortunately they didn't shoot well from the line tonight, only making 16 for the game.”
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG girls’ basketball team hosted Tri-City United in a nonconference game Monday night and won 67-34 in New Richland.
The Panthers, who led 34-18 at halftime, overcame what coach John Schultz called too many turnovers and sub-par three-point shooting.
“We played sloppy offense and did not take care of the ball, 18 turnovers is too high,” said the coach. “We did not shoot very well from three-point line as we went 6-32; that frustrated us.”
That changed in the second half, when the Panthers went on a 10-0 lead and quickly built the lead to 30.
The Panthers outrebounded the visitors 38-18. They were 20-for-51 on two-point field goals.
NRHEG individual leaders: Carlie Wagner 26 points, four rebounds, eight steals; Jade Schultz nine points, five rebounds; Katie Cole six points, four rebounds; Anna Schlaak five points, eight rebounds, four assists, six steals; Marnie Wagner five points; Danielle Krueger four points; Maddie Wagner four points; Abby Crabtree three points; Tori Raimann two points, five rebounds; Raelin Schue two points, five rebounds, two blocked shots; Hannah Lundberg one point.
“Everyone scored on our team tonight, I’m very happy with that,” said Coach Schultz. “Our bench did very well. The girls worked hard. It was a good team win.
The Panthers ran their record to 10-0 overall. They’re 5-0 in the conference.
NRHEG’s B-squad also remained undefeated, winning 63-22.
The Panthers host Hayfield in a boy-girl Saturday doubleheader Jan. 7 at 6 p.m.
REASON TO SMILE — NRHEG sophomore Carlie Wagner wore a big smile after being presented a special basketball by coach John Schultz after scoring her 1,000th career point at St. Peter last Thursday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Sophomore hits milestone as NRHEG girls stay undefeated
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Carlie Wagner tops 1,000 career points, the NRHEG girls’ basketball team powers its way to a tournament championship and, along the way, remains undefeated.
Just another day at the gym for the Panthers.
Wagner, just a sophomore, reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career as the Panthers dominated St. Peter 70-44 for the title in the St. Peter Holiday Classic that wrapped up last Thursday.
Wagner, who entered the game needing 17 points for 1,000, was battling a cold and wasn’t feeling 100 percent before the game. Nevertheless, she got the milestone out of the way in the first half, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists. She was named the tournament’s MVP.
According to coach John Schultz, Wagner was not a one-player show.
“We played a complete game, the whole team played well,” said Schultz. “Our defense created a lot of turnovers that cashed into points.”
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG boys’ basketball team lost in the consolation championship game of the Bethany Lutheran Holiday Classsic in Mankato Dec. 27-29.
The Panthers, who won one of three games, improved their record to 3-8 overall. They’re 1-4 in the Gopher Conference.
The Panthers fell 75-65 to St. Croix Lutheran in the opener Dec. 27.
St. Croix used pressure defense to force 14 NRHEG turnovers and take a 48-30 halftime lead.
“St. Croix did a nice job penetrating and back cutting and got numerous shots in the paint,” said Panthers coach Pat Churchill. “Their defense is in your face and aggressive. They play up the line and we were struggling to get into our offense. We were tentative and relaxed and they took it to us and got the big first-half lead.”
The Panthers improved in the second half, pulling within six at one point. But they got no closer.