NRHEG girls host Hayfield Friday
ADVANTAGE, PANTHERS — NRHEG sophomore Carlie Wagner (3) goes to the basket for a layup despite the efforts of a Triton defender during Tuesday night's sub-section opener in New Richland. The top-seeded, undefeated Panthers won 56-35. They'll face fourth-seeded Hayfield Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in New Richland. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The opening round of the sub-section tournament was not a surprise for fans of the NRHEG girls’ basketball team.
The top-seeded, undefeated Panthers were rusty coming off a 12-day layoff but still cruised to a 56-35 victory over eighth-seeded Triton in New Richland Tuesday night.
“It was a very sloppy game for us,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “It’s been 12 days since we have had a game and it showed.’’
But the Cobras were feisty, especially in the first half as NRHEG trudged to a 28-16 halftime lead.
“Triton had a lot to do with that,” said Schultz. “They defended our fast break well and rebounded right with us. We didn't get enough second shots on offense and made one too many passes on the breaks.”
NRHEG broke it open with a 12-3 run early in the second half to stretch the lead to 46-24.
Panther individual leaders: Carlie Wagner 26 points, 10 steals; Anna Schlaak eight points, nine rebounds, six assists; Maddie Wagner eight points; Jade Schultz six points, five rebounds, six steals; Katie Cole four points; Tori Raimann two points; Paige Overgaard two points; Hannah Lundberg five rebounds.
The Panthers, rated No. 2 in the state in Class AA, improved to 27-0 and will face No. 4 seed Hayfield Friday at 7 p.m. in New Richland.
“Hopefully, the cobwebs are out now because a very good Hayfield team is coming to town,” said Coach Schultz. “We did some nice things as well in the fact that we stole the ball 28 times and forced 36 turnovers. We just didn't convert them to points like we usually do. We started with a 16-2 lead and then let off and made some mistakes. We will learn from this and will put together a good game Friday.”
If the Panthers win Friday, they play Monday, March 5 at 8 p.m. at Minnesota State, Mankato.