By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Everyone’s heard of the NBA’s version of The Big Three.
Around these parts, The Big Three reside in New Richland.
The NRHEG boys’ basketball team’s triple towers — Oakley Baker, John Cole and Tyler Raimann — all scored in double figures for the second straight game as the Panthers improved to 7-3, defeating Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 81-49 in Saturday’s Bethany Lutheran Christmas Tournament and blowing out visiting Blooming Prairie 79-52 Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Cole scored 18 points, Baker and Raimann 16 each at Mankato. Also for the Panthers: Chad Agrimson eight, Jack Schultz eight, Benji Lundberg seven, Sam Prigge three, Luke Overgaard two, Jason Jongbloedt two, Tyler Schlaak one.
The Panthers used a late first-half run to take a 16-point lead into halftime.
“Our big three had nice nights,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We were able to build the lead in the second half with our size in the paint. They did a nice job on the boards.”The Wildcats, who fell to 2-8, were led by Brady Isebrand with 20 points.
NRHEG’s JV won 62-36.
The Panthers dominated Blooming Prairie in New Richland last Tuesday, taking a 10-2 lead to start and never looking back.
“I thought we came out and played as hard as we have played all year,” said Churchill. “We got some stops defensively and didn't allow them to get many shots in the paint in the first half. Tyler got us going early with 12 points in the first half. We had great scoring distribution tonight. When you have that many guys scoring consistent points you are much tougher to guard.”
Scoring: Raimann 18, Cole 16, Agrimson 14, Baker 10, Prigge nine, Lundberg eight, Overgaard three, Schlaak one.
Anthony Nelson led the Blossoms with 21.
NRHEG won the JV game 65-57 in overtime.
The Panthers were slated to face Maple River Tuesday in the rescheduled semifinals at Bethany.