NRHEG rebounds after season’s first loss, improving to 8-1 overall
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
MANKATO – The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team saw its unbeaten string snapped in the opening round of the Mankato Bethany Holiday Tournament.
However, Coach Pat Churchill’s Panthers rebounded with a pair of convincing victories to capture fifth place in the three-day tournament.
NRHEG improved on last year’s seventh-place finish when it lost two of three games.
The Panthers wrapped up their pre-holiday schedule with an 8-1 record.
St. Croix Lutheran
An explosive St., Croix Lutheran squad ended the undefeated season of the Panthers with a convincing 88-65 setback in last Thursday’s opening round of the tournament.
The Crusaders improved their record to 6-2.“St. Croix played a good aggressive game against us tonight,” said Churchill. “We played tight and let them do whatever they wanted. They penetrated all night long and we couldn’t stop them.”
St. Croix opened up a 20-point lead in the first half. The Panthers narrowed the margin to nine points before heading to the locker room looking at a 45-33 deficit.
The Crusaders scored the first eight points of the second half and NRHEG never recovered.
NRHEG, which played without starters Kevin Kalis and Macoy Schwierjohan, had three players in double figures. Trevor Tracy topped the Panthers with 18 points, Spencer Tollefson fired in 15 points and freshman Oakley Baker finished with 14 points. Chad Agrimson chipped in with nine points.
Trenton Krueger and Agge Rovney pumped in 20 points apiece for St. Croix.
Jason Rupprecht, Aaron Zoellmer and Juan Santiago all added 10 points for the winners.
“It’s tough to get beat like that and it’s hard to take,” said Churchill. “But, you have to put it behind you and rebound quickly to play the next night.”
Maple River
NRHEG got back into the win column in a hurry as it thumped Maple River Friday night in the consolation round. The Panthers shot well in posting a 79-60 triumph over the Eagles.
It was the second time this season NRHEG defeated MR, holding an earlier 65-56 win.
The Eagles fell to 3-6 for the year.
The Panthers used some hot shooting to build up a 45-23 halftime cushion.
NRHEG, which shot 60 percent from the floor for the game, got outscored 37 to 34 in the second half.
Baker topped the Panthers with 30 points. He made 10 of 13 shots, including four three-pointers.
Tollefson flipped in 18 points for NRHEG, and Tracy chipped in with 14. John Cole added eight points for the Panthers.
Jonah Breiter paced Maple River with 20 points. Grant Sonnek and Payton See flipped in 11 points apiece.
“I was happy because we stubbed our toe a little bit against St. Croix,” said Churchill. “To rebound like we did with a solid performance was good to see.”
The NRHEG junior varsity won a thriller with a 44-43 victory over Maple River.
LCWM
NRHEG defeated Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial for the fifth-place trophy Saturday evening, defeating the Knights 79-60.
LCWM fell to 7-4 with the loss.
A hot-shooting first half lifted the Panthers to a 47-35 advantage. Baker continued his hot shooting with 15 first-half points.
NRHEG stretched the lead to 20 points early in the second half. LCWM made a couple of minor runs at the Panthers, but never seriously threatened to change the outcome.
“We were getting good shots and knocking them down,” said Churchill. “We are a tough team to guard when we shoot that well.”
Baker, who scored 72 points in the three games, fired in 28 points to pace the Panthers.
Tollefson scored 19 points and Tracy added 14.
Baker, Tollefson and Tracy scored in double figures all three games. Cole chipped in with seven points.
Michael Coates led LCWM with 17, Bryson Yackel tossed in 15 and Colin Kater scored 13.
“We didn’t have much inside presence this week, but were still able to score points,” said Churchill. “I was really pleased coming to this tourney and winning two of three games.”
The Panther junior varsity defeated LCWM 48-42.
NRHEG hits the road for a Gopher Conference game at Medford Friday.
Hayfield comes to town for a non-conference clash Saturday.
The Panthers travel to Blue Earth Tuesday.