Injury-plagued Panthers finish with record of 5-13
What started as a season of high hopes ended suddenly for the NRHEG girls’ basketball team Tuesday, March 16 at Fairmont, where the Panthers lost in post-season play 62-42 to end the 2021 season.
The Panthers trailed by 10 early and were no match for the Cardinals’ full-court pressure. It was 27-16 at halftime.
“We tried to rush through it, which caused too many turnovers that led to easy baskets for them,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson, whose team finished with a record of 5-13. The Panthers were hoping for better, but an injury to their leader, 1,000-point scorer Sophie Stork, made it tough.
“We ended up fighting our way back and had it within two in the first half, but they hit a couple key threes and scored on a turnover and we went into half down by 11. We were never able to claw our way back after that.
NRHEG statistics: Faith Nielsen 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist; Hallie Schultz 2 points, 1 rebound; Erin Jacobson 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal; Stork 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals; Kendall Johnson 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal; Sidney Schultz 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist; Sarah George 1 point, 1 rebound, 1 steal; Rhys Martin 2 points, 1 rebound; Cassidy Martin 1 rebound.
The Panthers graduate just two seniors, Kendall Johnson and Cassidy Martin. Everyone else will return next season.
Said Peterson, “We appreciate your hard work and leadership throughout the year. I am so excited to see what you will be doing after graduation. I'm excited for our future and the amount of kids we have coming back next year. We are looking forward to a great summer of basketball.”