Seniors say tearful goodbye as NRHEG girls humble Fairmont
HIGH-FLYING CARLIE — NRHEG senior Carlie Wagner (3) leaps to save a ball from going out of bounds during the Panthers’ 77-44 victory over Fairmont in New Richland Monday, Feb. 24. Wagner came out with fire in her eyes, scoring 49 points, and left the court with tears as she and three other NRHEG seniors played their final home game. The undefeated, top-ranked Panthers opened tournament play Thursday with an 87-34 victory over Tri-City United. Next, they'll face Gopher Conference rival WEM Monday at 8 p.m. at MSU-Mankato. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
NEW RICHLAND – New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball coach John Schultz was expecting a tough test for his undefeated Panthers in their regular season finale Feb. 24.
Coming to town was South Central Conference champ Fairmont, sporting a 22-3 record and ranked eighth in the Class AA state rankings.
NRHEG jumped on top at the start and romped to a 77-44 triumph.
The top-ranked Panthers ended their regular season with a perfect 25-0 record. They have won 55 consecutive games the last two seasons.
NRHEG completed a fourth consecutive season of not losing on its home floor.
Carlie “The Dagger” Wagner was on fire from the onset, helping NRHEG to an early 20-point lead.
The Panthers left the floor holding a 46-26 margin at the break.
NRHEG tightened up its defense in the second half, holding a 31 to 18 advantage.
“Fairmont had a big height advantage, but our inside defenders used their strength and quickness to limit that advantage,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “Paige (Overgaard) did a bang up job inside fronting their posts.”
Carlie Wagner outscored the Fairmont team herself, finishing with 49 points. Wagner nailed seven three-pointers in the game, tying the single-game school record of Jade Schultz.
Wagner also dished out a team-high six assists.
Schultz drilled a couple of threes and ended up with eight points.
Maddie “Fire” Wagner also bombed in a pair of triples to score her six points.
Overgaard and Marnie Wagner chipped in with five points apiece.
Schultz and Hannah Lundberg handed out four assists apiece.
Kristen Campe topped the Cardinal offense with 14 points.
Courtney Mosloski scored 11 points for Fairmont, one more than Alex Christianson.
The Panthers did a superlative defense job of Fairmont’s leading scorer, Kayla Lardy, holding her scoreless.
“We played great team defense tonight,” said Schultz. “It took a physically strong effort by all of our girls.”
Despite being outsized, NRHEG finished with a 42 to 22 advantage on the boards.
Schultz went on a tear on the boards, ripping down 14 rebounds for the Panthers.
Overgaard snapped off six boards, while Maddie and Marnie Wagner grabbed five caroms apiece.
Carlie Wagner led the NRHEG defense with four steals, one more than Lundberg.
As they have all season, the Panthers lingered on the court after the game for photos, hugs and, this time, a few tears.
Carlie Wagner posted on Facebook: “There is a first and last time for everything. I just want to say thank you to all the amazing people who have supported us over the years, you’re honestly incredible, and my four years of playing on our home court have been unforgettable. I am so proud to come from such a close, loving, and supportive community. Still got a lot of season left, let’s keep her rolling ladies.”
The Panthers’ last loss on their home court was March 5, 2010, 39-33 to Hayfield in a sub-section semifinal game.
The final game factor was indeed a factor against Fairmont.
“I thought our seniors played with great emotion tonight,” said Schultz. “I didn’t think much about it, but I saw some of the girls before the game. You could see it in their faces. It was very emotional playing the final game on their home court.”
Grant Berg’s NRHEG junior varsity wrapped up a 19-2 season with a 62-16 rout over Fairmont.
NRHEG earned the top seed in the South Sub-Section 2AA Tourney, receiving a first-round bye.
The Panthers open tournament play this evening, hosting the Tri-City United/Medford winner in a sub-section semifinal at Mankato East. Game time is 6 p.m.
NRHEG defeated Medford by 70 and 46 points during the regular season, and handed TCU a 57-point setback.
The sub-section title game is Monday at MSU-Mankato.
The Section 2AA championship is March 14 at MSU-Mankato.
The Panthers are seeking a third consecutive trip to the state tournament.