Wagner tops 1,000 points in Section 2AA opener
The NRHEG girls’ basketball team split with the WEM Buccaneers during the 2014-15 regular season.
The Bucs broke the tie last Thursday.
WEM ended the Panthers’ season 60-48 in the Section 2AA tournament at Mankato East High School. NRHEG finished the season with a record of 14-12. WEM improved to 18-8 and advanced to the Section 2AA South Sub-Section finals against top seed St. Peter.
The Panthers, seeded third in the sub-section, chased the second-seeded Bucs all night, falling behind 5-0 and 9-1 to start the game.
“We tried to run and push the ball down the floor, but it is hard to run when they make their shots,” said Panthers head coach Onika Peterson. “Offensively, we got off the shots that we wanted, but we couldn't make a basket.”
The Panthers rallied within 9-8 midway through the first half, led by eight points from sophomore Rachel Collins. Maddie Wagner gave the Panthers a 15-13 lead with a three-pointer, but the Bucs answered and then some, going on a 9-0 run to take a 24-15 lead at halftime.The Panthers again struggled to start the second half and trailed by 10 points until about three minutes remaining, when they pulled within five. WEM responded by making five of six free throws down the stretch.
“I am very happy with how much progress we made as a team throughout the season,” said Coach Peterson. “Tonight just wasn't our night. WEM played a great game and I wish them the best of luck next week.”
Collins led the Panthers with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 assists. Maddie Wagner finished with 11 points, 1 rebound, 5 steals and 4 assists, Marnie Wagner 11 points, 16 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 assists. Others: Gretchen Ramaker 6 points, 6 rebounds; Anna Stork 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block; Kelli Harrington 2 points, 1 assist; Kayley Camerer 3 rebounds; Ryann Hagen 1 rebound, 1 block.
The Panthers opened tournament play Monday, March 2 against seventh-seeded Maple River in New Richland and won 60-48.
Maddie Wagner, a sophomore, provided the highlight for the Panthers by netting the 1,000th point of her high school career in the first half, inbounding the ball off a defender’s back, grabbing it and scoring a layup.
The Panthers rolled to a 33-19 halftime lead.
They led by as many as 16 points in the second half before Maple River rallied, cutting the Panthers’ lead to seven points at one point.
Camerer, a sophomore, was big for the Panthers in the final three minutes when she scored five of her seven points.
“Anytime you get to playoffs it is always great being the underdog,” said Peterson. “We were up by 12 and they went on a run playing like they had nothing to lose. We need to refocus on Waterville, learn from tonight and move on.”
Maddie Wagner led the Panthers with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 assists. Others scoring were Marnie Wagner 12 points, Stork 8, Ramaker 8, Camerer 7, Collins 5, Hagen 2, Sophie Fischer 2.
NRHEG
R. Collins 14 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 assists; Mad. Wagner 11 pts, 1 rebound, 5 steals, 4 assists; Mar. Wagner 11 pts, 16 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 assists; Ramaker 6 pts, 6 reb; Stork 4 pts, 2 reb, 1 blocked shot; Harrington 2 pts, 1 assist; Camerer 3 rebounds; Hagen 1 rebound, 1 blocked shot
WEM
Winter 22 pts; Olson 13 pts; Domonoske 12 pts; Kendall 4 pts; Kaplan 4 pts; Masberg 3 pts; Galler 1 pt; Harmon 1 pt
NRHEG
Mad. Wagner 16 pts, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 assists; Mar. Wagner 12 pts, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists; Stork 8 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist; Ramaker 8 pts, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist; Camerer 7 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 steal; Collins 5 pts, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Hagen 2 pts, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 block shots
Fischer 2 pts; Harrington 4 rebounds; Schuller 1 rebound
Maple River
Fay 5 pts; Wolff 5 pts; Spear 2 pts; Kranz 2 pts; Kollos 4 pts; Berkner 7 pts; Schirmer 16 pts; Severens 7 pts