The Panther Boys were undefeated at 4-0 until last Friday when they met the also-undefeated Maple River in a close match, coming out with a 66-70 loss.
“In a match-up of two pretty good teams, Maple River came out with all the intensity and got the well deserved victory,” observed Panther coach Pat Churchill. “They came out with intensity and NRHEG did not respond well.”
Maple River led by 6 poibts at halftime, and was able to extend the lead to as many as 16 in the second half.
“NRHEG tried to cut into the lead but was unable to get anything close to a run to get back in it,” said Churchill.
Grant Sonnek led the Eagles with 20 points and Jonah Breiter and Will Keller each had 17. Spencer Tollefson had 31 for the Panthers and Oakley Baker had 12.
The NRHEG Junior Varsity lost to Maple River 43-46 after two overtimes.
NRHEG next plays Medford at home on Friday Dec. 19.