NRHEG boys top Southland, 83-63
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team was involved in a pair of revenge games last week.
The Panthers trounced Southland, the team that eliminated NRHEG in the opening round of tournament action a year ago, Jan. 20.
United South Central, a team that NRHEG defeated by one point in Wells earlier this season, bounced the Panthers on their home court Friday.
NRHEG, which has lost three of its last four games, fell to 12-5 for the year, including 4-2 on its home court.The Panthers fell into a three-way tie for third place in the Gopher Conference (5-3), two games behind co-leaders Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and Faribault BA.
Southland
SOUTHLAND – NRHEG romped to an 83-63 victory over the Southland Rebels last Monday. Southland fell to 2-13 this season.
“We had a good shooting night and had four players in double figures, which is a good offensive sign for us,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We didn’t get many stops defensively tonight though.”
NRHEG got off to an early 10-point lead, but the Rebels clawed their way back to trail just 42-36 at the break.
The Panthers pushed the lead to double digits early in the second half and increased it the rest of the way. NRHEG finished with a 41 to 27 scoring advantage the second half.
Four Panthers reached double figures, and a fifth finished with eight points.
Trevor Tracy led NRHEG with 19 points, two more than Oakley Baker. Spencer Tollefson flipped in 16 points and Ryan Patraw added 13. Kevin Kalis added eight points for the Panthers.
Luke Anderson and Josh Anderson scored 16 points apiece for Southland. Trent Reinartz pumped in 15 points for the Rebels.
“After losing two games last week, we needed to get back on the court and play,” said Churchill. “We need to keep working defensively.”
Southland blitzed the NRHEG junior varsity in the preliminary game, 59-40.
USC
NEW RICHLAND – USC had revenge on its mind, having suffered a 68-67 setback to the Panthers earlier this season. The Rebels were ready for the challenge, tolling to a 77-62 win in New Richland Friday. The two teams combined for 18 three-pointers.
USC moved into a third-place tie with the Panthers at 5-3 in conference play. The Rebels improved to 11-4 overall.
NRHEG got off to a quick 7-2 start, but it didn’t last long. The Rebels rattled off seven straight points, and then the two teams went at each other the rest of the half.
USC left the court holding a 39 to 34 advantage.
The Rebels continued to score a lot against the NRHEG defense in the second half, finishing with a 38 to 28 margin. The Panthers tied the game early in the final half, but the Rebels gained control as the game wore on.
“There was not a lot of defense with both teams scoring well,” said Churchill. “We couldn’t get any stops. They dominated us on the offensive end tonight.”
Baker poured in 23 points to lead the Panthers in scoring, including five three-pointers.
Tollefson flipped in 17 points and Patraw added 11. Kalis chipped in with eight points.
Luke Trio nailed five triples on the way to a 24-point night for the Rebels.
Steve Voigt pumped in 17 points for the winners, Nate Pederson flipped in 14 and Trevor Stencel added 13.
USC won the JV game by a 58-37 margin.
Kenyon-Wanamingo visits NRHEG for a non-conference game The Knights are 0-16 this winter.
The Panthers journey to Blue Earth (4-11) Friday night.
Medford, who NRHEG defeated 82-62 earlier in the year, comes to New Richland Friday.