The NRHEG girls’ basketball team rebounded from a nonconference loss to Southland to defeat Faribault Bethlehem Academy 70-48 at New Richland last Friday. The Panthers improved to 13-10 for the season and 9-3 in the Gopher-Valley Conference.
The Panthers started slow after a tough, physical loss to Southland but managed a 32-24 advantage at halftime.
“We were able to go on a little run,” said coach Onika Peterson. “We came out in the second half a little stronger shooting and rebounding. We ended up being able to get everyone in tonight for one of our last regular-season games.”
The Panthers were paced by sophomore Maddie Wagner, who poured in 28 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Her sister, Marnie, had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists while Gretchen Ramaker tallied eight points, three rebounds and two assists. Other scorers: Ryann Hagen six points, Kayley Camerer four, Rachel Collins four, Sophie Fischer two, Jade Peterson two. Anna Stork pulled down seven rebounds, Kelli Harrington five.
The NRHEG junior varsity won 57-30.
The Panthers hosted Southland Thursday, Feb. 19 and saw a 36-21 halftime lead slip away in a 62-57 loss.
According to Coach Peterson, the Panthers played an outstanding first half but struggled after intermission.
“The second half was one of the worst we have played all year,” she said. “The girls were frustrated, I was frustrated. We struggled getting the ball up the court, not making smart passing choices, and our shots couldn't fall. We have to move on, learn from the game tonight and get after it the rest of the year. I have a lot of faith in the girls’ abilities and what we will do in the postseason.”
Maddie Wagner led the Panthers with 17 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Marnie Wagner contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and one steal. Others: Ramaker nine points, Camerer nine, Harrington four, Collins three, Johns two, Hagen two.
The NRHEG junior varsity defeated Southland 44-30.
The Panthers hosted section favorite St. Peter Monday, Feb. 23. Seeded third in the south half of Section 2AA, they open Section 2AA play Monday, March 2 against No. 6 seed Maple River (6-17). If they win their opening-round game, they would play Thursday, March 5 at 7:45 p.m. at Mankato East, probably against No. 2 south seed WEM (17-7). The Section 2AA semifinals are Monday, March 9 and the championship game is Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m. at Minnesota State-Mankato.
NRHEG 70, Bethlehem Academy 48
NRHEG
Mad. Wagner 28 pts, 3 reb, 3 assists, 3 steals; Mar. Wagner 16 pts, 6 reb, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block; Ramaker 8 pts, 3 reb, 2 assists; Hagen 6 pts, 4 reb; Camerer 4 pts, 7 reb, 1 steal; Collins 4 pts, 2 reb, 2 assists; Fischer 2 pts, 1 assist; Stork 7 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal; J. Peterson 2 pts, 2 reb; Schuller 1 reb, 1 assist; Harrington 5 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks; Johns 1 reb, 2 assists
FBA
Meyer 11; Robb 13; Skluzacek 9; Rendler 7; Hanson 5; Merrit 2; Ashley 1
Southland 62, NRHEG 57
NRHEG
Mad. Wagner 17pts, 11 reb, 3 assists, 2 steals; Mar. Wagner 11 pts, 11 reb, 4 assists, 1 steal; Ramaker 9 pts, 4 reb, 1 assist; Camerer 9 pts, 6 reb; Harrington 4 pts, 11 reb; Collins 3 pts, 1 reb; Johns 2 pts, 1 reb; Hagen 2 pts, 1 reb; Stork 3 reb, 1 assist
Southland
Bendsten 26 pts; Kirtz 15; Bendsten 9; Allen 4; Gray 4; Kirtz 1; Lamp 2