State's No. 1 ranked team remains undefeated
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
NEW RICHLAND – The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team hit the 90-point mark for the first time this season with a 90-35 trouncing of Maple River at New Richland Friday.
The Panthers won 86-20 and 79-9 against Maple River last season.
NRHEG improved to 3-0 in the Gopher Conference and 5-0 for the year.
MR fell to 0-2 in the Gopher and 2-4 overall.
“We did not shoot well from behind the arc again,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “But we made up for it with 26 offensive boards.”
NRHEG had to play without starter Hannah Lundberg who was ill, but it didn’t take the Panthers long to establish their dominance. NRHEG cruised to a 56-17 halftime advantage.
The Panthers settled for a 34 to 18 scoring advantage in the second half.Carlie Wagner fired in 36 points and handed out seven assists to top the Panther attack. She made 16 of 21 field goals, including 15 of 16 two-pointers.
Maddie “Fire” Wagner and Kayle Camerer also reached double figures for the Panthers. Wagner buried two triples on the way to a 15-point night and Camerer tossed in 11 points.
Anna Stork chipped in with seven points for NRHEG, one more than Paige Overgaard.
Jade Schultz dished out six assists for NRHEG.
The Panthers shot 48 percent from the floor, despite making just 4-19 behind the arc. NRHEG converted 8-20 free throws.
Josie Ostermann led Maple River with 10 points and freshman Grace Kranz added eight.
The Eagles hit 25 percent of their fielders. MR was 3-15 behind the arc and 10 of 15 from the foul stripe.
NRHEG held an overwhelming 50 to 12 margin in rebounds, including 26-3 on the offensive boards.
Schultz ripped down 13 rebounds, Maddie Wagner snared seven boards, Kelli Harrington grabbed six caroms and Camerer snatched five boards.
The Panther defense had 22 steals in the game. Carlie Wagner had seven steals, Marnie Wagner made five thefts and Maddie Wagner and Harrington stole the ball three times apiece.
“The girls did the little things right again,” said Schultz. “We took care of business from the start of the game.”
It was the 200th career basketball coaching victory for Schultz.
Grant Berg’s junior varsity team remained undefeated with a 68-57 victory over Maple River.
NRHEG will play at the St. Peter Holiday Tournament Friday and Saturday. The Panthers will tangle with Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop at 2 p.m. Friday in the opening round.
NRHEG will play again Saturday.
The Panthers will resume Gopher Conference action at Medford Jan. 3.