NRHEG rebounds with win over BA
By MARK DOMEIER
Contributing Writer
Weather impeded play again last week, but the NRHEG Lady Panthers played two games, splitting the pair.
The undefeated and state-ranked Medford Tigers came to New Richland Feb. 4 in a make-up affair. The Panthers shot well in the first half and played to a 40-38 halftime advantage. However, the Tigers showed why they haven't yet lost this season by holding the home team to 19 points in the second half while rolling to a 74-59 win.
Alexis Anderson had an outstanding game with 22 points, 8 rebounds, an assist, and a block. Sophie Stork hit every category with 15 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Sidney Schultz followed with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. Darian Pearson tallied 6 points and 5 boards while Kendall Johnson contributed 2 points, 3 rebounds, and an assist. Hannah Budach had 2 points and Sarah Johns added a point, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. Erin Jacobson finished the scoring with one point while Jayna Finseth snared a rebound.
The Panthers honored their seniors on Feb. 8 during a home game against Faribault BA and went on to rout the Cardinals 62-36. The game was never really in doubt as the Panthers jumped to a 17-point halftime lead, never trailing in the Gopher Conference game. Coach Onika Peterson recognized the seniors: "We were able to celebrate our seven seniors: Caitlin Goette, Olivia Christopherson, Lexie Ignaszewski, Hannah Budach, Alexis Anderson, Jayna Finseth, and Darian Pearson. Thank you for being great leaders in the classroom, your hard work, and dedication to the basketball program. Good luck with your future plans!"
Schultz led the way for the Panthers with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. Stork had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds to go with 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Pearson also achieved that feat with 10 points and 11 rebounds along with 3 steals and an assist. Budach added 6 points, 4 boards, and a steal. Johnson and Johns each had 4 points; Johnson corralled 6 rebounds and Johns had 4 boards and 2 steals. Goette had 3 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist. Finseth scored 2 points to go with 7 rebounds and an assist while Ignaszewski had a point and 5 boards.