By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
NRHEG girls’ basketball fans were downright spoiled during Carlie Wagner’s tenure as a player.
But the post-Carlie era has not been bad.
The Lady Panthers finished regular season with wins over Bethlehem Academy and Triton, taking a record of 20-6 and a three-game victory streak into the sub-section tournament, where they’re seeded No. 2 behind Gopher Conference champion WEM. NRHEG finished 9-3 in conference play.
The Panthers open sub-section play Saturday, hosting No. 7 seed St. James (6-17) at 7 p.m. in New Richland. The winner plays Thursday, March 3 at 7:45 p.m. at Mankato East High School against No. 3 seed Blue Earth Area (14-9) or No. 6 seed Maple River (6-18). The winner there plays Monday, March 7 at 8 p.m. at Minnesota State-Mankato for the sub-section title. The section championship and state tournament berth will be determined Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m. at MSU-Mankato.
Norwood-Young America (22-3) is the top seed in the north half of the sub-section, followed by St. Peter (19-6), Glencoe-Silver Lake (13-11) and GFW (16-8).NRHEG 79, Bethlehem Academy 56
The Panthers returned from Faribault Friday, Feb. 19 with a one-sided win, outrebounding the Cardinals 39-13 while hitting 21 of 44 two-point shots and five of 13 threes.
“It was great to end our conference games with a win,” said coach Onika Peterson.
Maddie Wagner had a monster game, totaling 16 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Twin sister Marnie wasn’t far behind with 22 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Others: Rachel Collins 12 points, six rebounds, four assists; Kayley Camerer 10 points, six rebounds, two blocks; Kelly Harden six points, four rebounds; Hailey Schuller four points, two assists; Sophia Fischer three points, three rebounds, two steals; Erin VanWilgen two points; Betsy Schoenrock two points, two rebounds; Gabi Muri two points; Emily Eder two rebounds, two steals.
The junior varsity won 67-29.
NRHEG 77, Triton 34
The Panthers hosted the Cobras in nonconference play and cruised to a leisurely victory at New Richland Monday, Feb. 22.
“It was good to get a ton of playing time for everyone tonight,” said Peterson. “The girls competed the whole night and never slowed down. We are excited for playoffs to begin.”
Individually: Marnie Wagner 13 points, four rebounds, three steals, two assists; Schuller 13 points, three assists, two steals, two rebounds; Maddie Wagner 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals; Fischer 11 points, four rebounds; Camerer eight points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals; Schoenrock six points, two rebounds; Collins five points, three assists; Muri five points; Camerer three points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals; Harden two points, four rebounds, three assists; Eder four rebounds.
“This week we will look to tweak some things we need to work on and prepare for St. James Saturday,” said Peterson. “The girls have put in a great year so far and we are looking to cause some damage during playoffs.”
The junior varsity won 65-21.