By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
There was at least one thing, according to first-year head coach Isaiah Lundberg, that he never had to question about the 2018-19 Panthers: effort.
It was true all season and it was true last Thursday as the Panthers’ season ended with a 70-54 loss to Blue Earth Area in the sub-section semifinals at Mankato East.
The third-seeded Panthers, who finished 12-15, were hopeful against the No. 2 seeded Bucs, having dropped a six-point decision in the regular season, but Blue Earth Area won with balanced scoring and strong shooting.
“We came up just short tonight and played a team that shot the ball really well all game,” said Lundberg. “They have guys that can shoot and they made them tonight.”
The first half was close, with the Panthers trailing 30-28 at halftime.
Lundberg felt the Panthers had opportunities to take an 8 to 10-point lead.
“But we just didn’t make shots and the shots that we missed were in the lane and around the rim,” said Lundberg.
The Panthers did lead in the early going, but the Bucs switched to a zone defense that caused problems, and Blue Earth took a 28-18 lead before NRHEG closed in with a run to end the half.
The second half saw the Panthers’ shooting woes continue as the Bucs kept hitting threes, even when closely guarded.
A 16-point lead forced the Panthers to press and trap. They wound up fouling and Blue Earth converted 17 of 22 free throws for the night. Lundberg was pleased the Panthers made seven threes, but Blue Earth had 10.
“They made 10 more free throws and three more threes,” said Lundberg. “Compare those two stats alone and there is your 16-point game. I thought my guys never quit and battled to the end.”
It was the end of their NRHEG basketball career for seniors Brady Agrimson, Devin Buendorf and Jacob Schuller.
Schuller finished with 23 points, Agrmimson 14, Blake Ihrke 11 and Lonnie Wilson 6.
The Bucs had five scorers in double figures, led by Cameron Anderson with 18.