By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
There was no creampuff opener for the NRHEG boys’ basketball team.
The Panthers started their season Saturday, Nov. 21 at Redwood Valley, a state tournament team last year and three of the last six years, and the home team had its way 80-63.
“You have to give Redwood all the credit,” said Panthers coach Pat Churchill. “They beat us in every aspect of the game tonight.”
The Panthers kept it close early, but the Cardinals went on a late first-half run to take a 42-26 advantage at the break.
“Once they got going, we did nothing to make them uncomfortable,” said Churchill. “They way I would describe it is we allowed them to play downhill all night.”
Redwood Valley hit 64 percent of its shots from the floor.Oakley Baker led the Panthers with 27 points. Also reaching double figures were John Cole with 11 and Chad Agrimson 10. Benji Lundberg scored five, Luke Overgaard and Sam Prigge four each, Tyler Raimann two. James Pendleton led three Cardinals in double figures with 20 points.
The Panther JV lost 55-39.
NRHEG travels to LeSueur-Henderson Tuesday, Dec. 1.