Boys' basketball
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
NEW RICHLAND – The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team remained the only undefeated team in Gopher Conference play.
The Panthers bounced back from a loss to Hayfield to bounce the Randolph Rockets 75-45 in New Richland Friday.
The Rockets dropped their fifth straight conference game and fell to 4-8 for the year.
NRHEG, which defeated Randolph 69-53 and 77-59 last season, climbed to 5-0 in the Gopher and 10-2 overall.
Spencer Tollefson and Oakley Baker sparked a first half uprising that left NRHEG holding a 43-15 lead. Tollefson erupted for 19 points and Baker fired in 13.“We got after it in the first half, holding them to 15 points,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We were able to get the shots we wanted and convert.”
With the big lead, both teams got sloppy in the second half. The Panther managed only a 32 to 30 scoring advantage in the final half.
“With the big lead, the intensity level was down in the second half,” said Churchill. “We had stretches where we did not play any defense.”
Baker and Tollefson topped the scoring parade. Baker poured in 24 points and Tollefson finished with 21. “Tully” grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out five assists.
Kevin Kalis pumped in 12 points and snared eight boards, while Brady Beenken chipped in with eight points off the bench.
NRHEG was playing without Macoy Schwierjohan (broken finger) and Ryan Patraw (concussion).
“We had a lot of shots in the lane tonight,” said Churchill. “If you get a lot of shots in the paint, your offense is going to be successful.”
Austin Moorhouse paced the Randolph attack with 13 points, Kyle Volkert flipped in 11.
The JV overcame a final-minute deficit to force overtime and capture a 43-39 win.
NRHEG travels to Blooming Prairie Friday. The Panthers are on the road at Southland Monday.