Panthers top Medford, BA to remain close in Gopher Conference race
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team won the most important of three games played in recent action.
The Panthers upended Maple River and Faribault BA for the second time this season, keeping them in the Gopher Conference race.
NRHEG could not maintain the same defensive effort, losing a non-conference contest with the Blue Earth Area Buccaneers.
Coach Pat Churchill’s Panthers are 7-3 in the Gopher Conference and 14-6 for the season, including 9-3 on the road.
MedfordAt New Richland Monday, the Panthers broke open a 24-24 halftime game with a strong second-half effort.
“I thought defensively we played a pretty sound first half,” said Churchill “We held them to 8 for 30 from the floor, 1 for 4 from three point and 3-13 inside the paint. The problem was our offense was struggling.”
NRHEG also had 10 first-half turnovers.
“We talked at halftime that we needed more looks in the paint and less from three-point land.,” said Churchill. “We need to establish an inside presence to open up our outside shots.”
Kevin “Big Country” Kalis provided the inside presence scoring 17 of his game-high 23 points in the second half as the Panthers pulled away.
“The play that really helped us seal the game was when we dove on the ball going out of bounds to save it, then dove on the save, threw it to another player who tossed it to Kalis for the hoop and a foul,” said Churchill. “I told our guys those are the plays that we need to make to win games.”
Freshman Oakley Baker scored 14 points for the Panthers, with Spencer Tollefson netting 13. Kalis pulled down 13 rebounds. Trevor Tracy scored nine on three three-pointers.
“Give credit to Medford for playing a very good game tonight,” said Churchill.
Faribault BA
FARIBAULT – NRHEG grabbed an early lead and never trailed in posting a 52-44 victory over Faribault BA at Faribault Jan. 28.
The Cardinals, who also lost the earlier meeting 76-61, slipped to 6-2 in the conference and 11-6 for the year.
“We knew that we had to adjust to their patient style of ball,” said Churchill. “We wanted longer possessions and great shots. For the most part I think we did that.”
NRHEG, which scored 46 points in the first half of the last meeting between the two teams, took a 25-18 lead to the break this time.
The Panthers pushed their advantage to 10 points with five minutes remaining. FBA cut the deficit to 44-41 with two minutes left.
Tollefson drilled six consecutive free throws down the stretch to seal the Panther win.
“This was a big bounce back win for us,” said Churchill. “We have been stuck in neutral a little bit. To come into their place and get a tough win is really nice.”
Tollefson led three Panthers into double figures with 17 points.
Tracy scored 13 points and Baker added 11.
Kyle Novak pumped in 20 points for the Cardinals. Fred Rolstad chipped in with 11 points.
The Panther junior varsity suffered a 48-47 setback to FBA.
Blue Earth
NEW RICHLAND – A 40-point second half propelled Blue Earth to a 62-55 victory over NRHEG in New Richland Friday.
The Buccaneers, who drilled the Panthers 67-44 a year ago, improved to 6-11 for the season.
NRHEG scored the first 10 points of the game. Blue Earth picked away at the lead and trailed just 23-22 at the break.
The teams battled back and forth most of the second half until BE opened up a seven-point lead with five minutes remaining.
NRHEG pulled within a single point with 45 seconds left, and had the ball. A Panther turnover resulted in a BE layup.
NRHEG missed a three-pointer and the Bucs added to their lead.
Blue Earth outscored the Panthers 40 to 32 in the second half.
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well tonight,” said Churchill. “We have been around 50 percent most of the year and shot 32 percent tonight.”
Baker topped NRHEG’s scoring with 15 points, Tracy fired in 14 and Tollefson ended up with 12.
Kalis added nine points for the Panthers.
“Credit BE’s 2-3 defense for frustrating us offensively,” said Churchill.
Luke Monson poured in 23 points to lead three Buccaneers into double figures.
Derek Johnson tossed in 11 points and Bailey Olson chipped in with 10.
Tollefson and Kalis both grabbed seven rebounds for the Panthers.
Monson ripped down 12 boards for Blue Earth.
The NRHEG JV got back on the winning track with a 50-39 victory.
NRHEG journeys to Randolph Friday, a team it defeated 75-45 in the first meeting.
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown comes to town Tuesday. The Bucs hold a 63-50 victory over NRHEG this year.