Panthers rebound from season-opening setbacks
After opening the season with a pair of tough road losses, the NRHEG boys’ basketball team was more than ready for its home opener Friday, Dec 4. They made it worth the wait.
The Panthers played well and blew out Bethlehem Academy 66-41 in their Gopher Conference opener at New Richland.
“Any time you lose your first two, you really need a win to build a little confidence, and our kids played well tonight,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill.
Oakley Baker scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the first half. Junior Tyler Raimann scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds while recording a dunk on his birthday. Also scoring: John Cole 12, Chad Agrimson eight, Luke Overgaard six, Benji Lundberg two, Sam Prigge two.
Jack Clark scored 12 to lead BA.“We were able to get good looks inside and I felt we got a few extra possessions early because of some hustle on the offensive board,” said Churchill. “I thought we played with a little more aggression, especially on defense tonight. I thought we contested better and made their shots a little tougher.”
The Panthers traveled to LeSueur-Henderson Dec. 1 and lost 69-59.
Baker scored 28, Raimann 10, Agrimson seven, Overgaard six, Cole four, Lundberg two, Prigge two and Jack Schultz two.