The NRHEG Panther 8th-grade boys’ basketball team completed its season recently compiling a 17-3 record.
Teams defeated by the Panthers were St Clair, Maple River twice (once in double overtime) Medford twice, JWP, WEM twice, TCU, Blooming Prarie, USC twice, Faribault BA twice, Blue Earth Area, Stewartville, and Dover-Eyota. Losses were to Byron on a buzzer-beating three-pointer, Triton and Blooming Prarie, whom they defeated later in the season.
The Panthers reached a season-high 57 points against Blue Earth Area and allowed a season-low 15 points against Medford. The Panthers wore down many teams with their deep lineup and man-to-man defense. This allowed the team to pull away from their opponents late in the game.
Season total points were 870 points scored and 608 allowed. In the JWP win 13 of 14 players scored.
In the last week of practice the team joined the 7th grade to compete in a "Feats of Strength” competition" which featured a Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Shooting Contest, Free Throw Contest and a Down-and-Back Sprint Race.
The team completed included Cooper Malecha, Porter Peterson, Bo Budach, Tyrone Wilson. Row two: Austin King, Jack Olson ,Severin Eads, Alex Dobberstein, Aston Raimann, Matthew Mueller, Tylar Malakowsky, Benjamin Schoenrock, Jaxon Beck, Matthew Olson. The coaches were Leon Schoenrock, Dave Beck and Rich Mueller.