No. 2 ranked NRHEG girls end regular season without a loss
IT’S UNDER CONTROL — NRHEG senior Anna Schlaak (33) dribbles in the lane during the Panthers’ victory over Medford last Tuesday. In the background is NRHEG’s Katie Cole (14). The Panthers completed a 26-0 regular season with a win Friday at Randolph. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
PASS IT ON — The Panthers’ Hannah Lundberg (21) looks to pass the ball during last week’s game against Medford. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The only thing in question for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team last week was the scores.
Everyone knew the unbeaten Gopher Conference champions would win to complete the regular season 26-0, best in school history. Even with starting guard Jade Schultz sidelined, the Panthers blew past Medford 67-35 last Tuesday and blasted Randolph 73-28 Friday.
The Panthers, ranked No. 2 and the only unbeaten team in Class AA, are the No. 1 seed in the sub-section and will host No. 8 Triton Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. If they win, they’ll host a game Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. From there the tournament moves to Minnesota State-Mankato and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.
But coach John Schultz isn’t thinking about that just yet. He’s more than happy with the one-game-at-a-time approach that’s gotten the Panthers this far. Though they won their fourth consecutive Gopher Conference title, they’re aiming for their first state tournament berth since 2004.
Last week’s games were a mere formality.
The Panthers led Medford 38-16 at halftime and won handily in New Richland.
“It was a great team win,” said Schultz. “Everyone played quality minutes and showed our talents from the bench. Our pressure was a bit much for them. We got a lot of breakaway layups. Carlie led us in four catagories and had a nice game. We had a lot of nice passing with 20 assists.”
Jade Schultz was out with an ankle injury but the Panthers picked up the slack, especially Katie Cole who scored 14 with two three-pointers.
“Anna Schlaak had a nice all around game as well,” said Coach Schultz. “Maddie Wagner shot very well from outside with two threes.”
Individual totals: Carlie Wagner 27 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, six steals; Cole 14 points, four rebounds; Schlaak eight points, nine rebounds; Maddie Wagner eight points; Raelin Schue four points, nine rebounds; Tori Raimann two points; Hannah Lundberg eight rebounds.
NRHEG’s B-squad won 58-25.
The Panthers won 73-28 at Randolph. It was 35-13 at halftime.
“Our pressure got to them as the game wore on,” said Coach Schultz. “Anna Schlaak is shooting very well right now and had a good night. Carlie had a very balanced night and finished the fast break very well.”
Jade Schultz was still sidelined.
Individually: Carlie Wagner 27 points, six rebounds, seven assists, seven steals; Schlaak 16 points, eight rebounds; Schue 10 points, four rebounds; Cole nine points, six rebounds; Maddie Wagner seven points; Lundberg two points; Paige Overgaard two points.
The Panther B-squad prevailed 35-29 to finish its season with a 23-1 record.
Gopher Conference 2011-12 final standings
Conf. Ov.
NRHEG 16-0 26-0
USC 12-4 19-7
Bethlehem Academy 11-5 17-9
Blooming Prairie 11-5 13-11
WEM 8-8 12-14
Mankato Loyola 6-10 13-13
Medford 5-11 7-17
Randolph 2-14 6-18
JWP 1-15 5-20