NO FEAR — Despite wearing a protective mask for a broken nose, the Panthers’ Brady Agrimson (2) goes to the basket against JWP. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Undefeated after four games.
It’s music to the ears of NRHEG boys’ basketball coach Pat Churchill as the Panthers won twice last week to improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Gopher Conference.
NRHEG 65, Medford 51
The Panthers fell behind early but recovered on the Tigers’ floor Tuesday, Dec. 12.
It was, however, 17-11 Medford about eight minutes in.
“They had all the energy to start the game and we were playing like we were going through the motions,” said Churchill. “We were able to start playing with a little energy.”
The Panthers finally took the lead 23-22 with seven minutes to go in the half and a spurt right before half gave NRHEG a 38-31 advantage.
“Offensively I thought we were fine, but defensively we did not play very well that first half,” said Churchill. “I told them we have to be able to hang our hat on the defensive end and the first half we really struggled.”
The Panthers were much more disciplined on defense to start the second half, according to Churchill and it resulted in only four Medford points the first nine minutes as NRHEG built the lead to double figures.
Some three-pointers helped the Panthers to push the lead to 20, but back-to-back Medford threes with about four minutes left cut it to 14, which it remained the rest of the way.
Jerret Utpadel scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Panthers, while Benji Lundberg totaled 13 and Jacob Schuller 11. Also: Peyton Castle 8, Nathaniel Techau 7, Brady Agrimson 4, Perry Peterson 4.
Ben Sutcliffe led Medford with 13.
NRHEG’s junior varsity won 51-40.
NRHEG 68, JWP 38
It was a battle of unbeatens and, for the first eight minutes it was close, but the Panthers again pulled away and cruised 68-38 at New Richland Friday, Dec. 15.
The Panthers led 39-18 at halftime and were never challenged in the second half.
“I felt defensively we played very well,” said Churchill. “They have some talented offensive players and we were able to make their shots a little tougher and fortunately they did not go down as much tonight. Offensively in the first half I felt we attacked their 1-3-1 very well. They are so long out top and we were able get the ball open under the hoop consistently.’
The Panthers were 18-for-22 in the paint in the first half.
Schuller scored 16, Lundberg 14 and Agrimson 12 for the Panthers, who also got 8 from Utpadel and 6 from Techau. Devin Buendorf added 4, Peterson 4, Castle 2 and Gabe Dahle 2.
Sam Eustice led JWP with 11 points while Andrew Fisel, who scored 27 the previous night, was held to eight.
“I thought Jerret did an outstanding job on him,” said Churchill. “That was a great team game we played all night long. We made the extra pass and got great shot after great shot.”
It was JWP’s first loss in five games.
The NRHEG junior varsity won 28-26.