By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team saw its losing streak reach six games with a pair of Gopher Conference losses.
The Panthers lost to second-place Faribault BA on their home court Jan. 29. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton avenged an earlier setback to NRHEG with a win in Janesville Friday. The Panthers fell to seventh place in the conference (2-7) and 4-14 for the winter.
FBA
NEW RICHLAND – FBA used some hot three-point shooting to defeat NRHEG 65-52 in New Richland last Tuesday. FBA had won the earlier meeting 70-35.
The Cardinals climbed to 6-2 in the Gopher and 12-6 overall.
“It was a much better performance by our young guys than the first time we played,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill.Faribault took a 30-20 lead at halftime, thanks to 6-12 shooting behind the arc.
NRHEG jumped to a 5-0 lead, but FBA scored 18 of the next 20 points. The Panthers fought back to within 18-14, but got outscored 12-6 the rest of the way.
Adam Clark drilled four triples to spark the Cardinals. Kevin Kalis scored 10 first-half points for the Panthers.
NRHEG pulled within 34-28 in the second half, but FBA stretched the lead back to 10 points and was never threatened again.
“Our energy and effort were excellent tonight,” said Churchill. “They made 6-12 three in the first half and we were 0-7. I was proud of the way our guys battled tonight.”
Sophomore Kalis continued his improvement with 13 points to pace the Panthers.
Spencer Tollefson and Trevor Tracy scored 10 points apiece, one more than Macoy Schwierjohann.
Kyle Filzen fired in 22 points to pace FBA, and Clark ended up with 14.
Kalis was a force on the boards, ripping down 16 rebounds for the Panthers. Tollefson grabbed five caroms.
NRHEG’s junior varsity team rallied for an exciting 43-40 overtime victory.
JWP
JANESVILLE – NRHEG was looking for a season sweep of the JWP Bulldogs when it journeyed to Janesville Friday. JWP used a strong second half to down the Panthers 67-55.
NRHEG had won the first meeting this season 60-49 in New Richland.
JWP moved into a tie for fifth place in the conference at 3-6. The Bulldogs are 7-9 overall.
The two teams went at each other in the first half. NRHEG left the floor holding a 29-27 lead.
It remained close in the second half until the Dawgs made a run to open up a 10-point lead with eight minutes remaining. NRHEG could never get back into the game after that.
“It was a tough loss. We panicked a little bit when they made their run,” said Churchill. “We turned the ball over a couple of times against their press and never got back into the game.”
Kyle Fisel was a one-man wrecking crew for the Bulldogs, pouring in 29 points.
“He is a very athletic player and he played well offensively tonight,” said Churchill.
Zach Janike added 13 points to JWP’s attack.
The Panthers showed good scoring balance. Tollefson pumped in 17 points to lead the way, Nic Mangskau scored 11, Tracy added 10 and Kalis chipped in with nine.
“Sometimes when things aren’t going your way, it’s tough to remember how to win,” said Churchill. “We need to remember how to win again.”
The Panther junior varsity improved to 14-4 with a 46-41 victory over JWP.
NRHEG plays Randolph at home Friday, a team it defeated 69-53 earlier. The Panthers will try to reverse a 59-46 loss at WEM Tuesday.
FBA 65, NRHEG 52
FBA 30 35 65
NRHEG 20 32 52
NRHEG (52): Kalis 13, Tollefson 10, Tracy 10, Schwierjohann 9, Mangskau 5, Krell 3, Schendel 2.
JWP 67, NRHEG 55
NRHEG 29 26 55
JWP 27 40 67
NRHEG (55): Tollefson 17, Mangskau 11, Tracy 10, Kalis 9, Mrotz 4, Schwierjohann 2, Peterson 2.
NEXT: Friday – Randolph at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.