By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
If you added up all the points scored by Wagners for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team, you’d probably need a calculator.
Junior Marnie Wagner is the latest to join the 1,000-point club, joining sisters Carlie and Maddie, as the Panthers pounded JWP 84-46 last Monday in their first of three wins for the week.
The Panthers, 17-4 overall and 7-2 in the Gopher Conference, have won eight games in a row heading into Thursday’s showdown at conference-leading WEM.
NRHEG 84, JWP 46
Wagner scored her 1,000th career point as the Panthers won easily Jan. 25 at Janesville.
“We had a rough six-minute stretch in the first half where we weren't able to get the rebounds we would like, we were one shot and done on defense, and just looked overall a step slow,” said coach Onika Peterson. “Other than those six minutes, the girls played very well. We were able to run the floor like we wanted to. We made some great passes and attacked the basket, getting a lot of players involved tonight. It was a great overall win.”Individually for NRHEG: Rachel Collins 21 points, three rebounds, two steals; Maddie Wagner 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals; Kaylie Camerer 15 points, three rebounds, two steals, two blocks; Marnie Wagner 11 points, 16 rebounds; Emily Eder six points, five rebounds; Hailey Schuller five points, two rebounds; Kelly Harden five points; Betsy Schoenrock three points, four rebounds; Sophia Fischer one point, four rebounds; Erin VanWilgen three rebounds; Gabby Muri one assist.
NRHEG 5,8 Maple River 53
The Panthers fought off a fast start by the Eagles to win at Mapleton Thursday night.
“They came out firing on all cylinders,” said Peterson. “They shot well, they hustled, they rebounded well. We struggled defensively. We gave them some wide-open looks at the basket because we were out of position.”
Maple River led until the seven-minute mark in the second half, when the Panthers were finally able to tie it and take the lead. Sinking 15 of 21 second-half free throws was key.
“Now we need to correct some of our mistakes, learn from this game, and move on,” said Peterson.
Individually: Camerer 17 points, four rebounds; Maddie Wagner 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two assists; Collins 13 points; Marnie Wagner seven points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block; Fischer four points, five rebounds; Schuller one point; Harden one point, two rebounds; Eder one block.
The NRHEG junior varsity won 48-39.
NRHEG 72, Medford 43
The Panthers were never threatened at Medford Friday.
“I was proud of how the girls played,” said Peterson. “At times throughout the season, we have went into half up big and have blown a lead. Tonight the girls pushed the whole game. We had lots of kids subbing in and out hustling, and putting up 100% effort, which is great to see.”
Statistics: Maddie Wagner 15 points, four rebounds, four assists; Marnie Wagner 13 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals; Collins 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals; Schuller 12 points, two rebounds, two assists; Schoenrock 11 points, one block; Camerer eight points, seven rebounds, two assists; Harden seven rebounds, three assists, two steals.
NRHEG’s JV won 50-35.
“We have a tough week coming up with Waterville Thursday, and Mankato Loyola Friday,” said Peterson.