Unbeaten, top-ranked NRHEG throttles once-beaten Hayfield
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
The undefeated and top-ranked New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team showed no rust from the Christmas break.
The Panthers blasted conference foe Medford and pulled away from a once beaten Hayfield squad to post two more victories last week.
NRHEG, which is 9-0 this season, has 39 consecutive victories over the last two years.
MedfordMEDFORD – The Panthers took care of business from the start as they romped to a 96-26 victory at Medford Friday.
Medford, which lost 79-17 and 87-37 to NRHEG last season, fell to 1-2 in the conference and 3-6 for the season.
“Our kids looked sharp tonight and played very disciplined,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “We were working hard on the little things that will make us better tonight.”
NRHEG cruised to a 61-17 advantage at the intermission. The Panthers held a 35-9 margin in the second half.
The Panthers shot 57 percent from the floor, including 6-11 shots behind the arc.
Carlie Wagner led three Panthers into double figures with 37 points, which included a couple of three-pointers. She also dished out six assists.
Marnie “Ice” Wagner popped in 13 points and handed out seven assists. Maddie Wagner chipped in with 10 points. Jade Schultz nailed three triples for nine points and passed out five assists. Eleven of the 12 Panther players scored in the game.
The Tigers connected on just 21 percent from the floor.
Madsen’s 10 points topped the Medford attack.
NRHEG had another strong showing on the boards, holding a 39 to 13 advantage, including 14-3 on the offensive boards.
Schultz topped the Panther rebounders with nine boards. Carlie, Maddie and Marnie Wagner, along with Kayley Camerer all pulled down four caroms.
Paige Overgaard led the Panther defense with six steals, two more than Carlie Wagner.
NRHEG forced Medford into 20 turnovers, while committing six.
Grant Berg’s NRHEG junior varsity rolled to a 65-24 win.
Hayfield
NEW RICHLAND – NRHEG outscored Hayfield 40 to 15 in the second half to capture a 79-44 victory at New Richland Saturday.
Hayfield lost for just the second time in 11 starts. The Vikings dropped 59-47 and 58-48 games to the Panthers last season.
Jade Schultz exploded for five triples and 17 first half points to spark NRHEG to a 39-29 lead at the break.
“Hayfield did a nice job trying to stop Carlie. They made her work hard to score,” said Schultz. “But, our supporting cast was up for the challenge.”
NRHEG pulled away early in the second half and had no problems the rest of the way.
Carlie Wagner led the NRHEG scoring as usual, pumping in 33 points. Schultz finished with 22.
Wagner and Hannah Lundberg handed out four assists apiece.
“Jade and Maddie both did a nice job penetrating the defense and creating offense,” said Schultz. “Paige, Hannah and Anna Stork all played extremely well defensively, and played tough.”
Zahnie led Hayfield’s scoring with 11 points, one more than Wagner.
NRHEG finished with a 37 to 24 rebounding advantage.
Schultz completed her double-double with 10 rebounds, one more than Lundberg.
Carlie Wagner hauled down eight boards, and Overgaard snatched six rebounds. Wagner also had four steals on defense.
NRHEG had 10 turnovers, while forcing the Vikings into 22.
The JV also remained undefeated with a 44-31 victory.
NRHEG entertains Kenyon-Wanamingo tonight, travels to Randolph Friday and will be at home against Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Tuesday.