2021-22 PANTHER GIRLS BASKETBALL - Front, from left: Hallie Schultz, Erin Jacobson, Sophie Stork, Sidney Schultz, Faith Nielsen. Back row: Assistant coach John Schultz, manager Tatum Smith Vulcan, Preslie Nielsen, Madison Murray, Sarah George, Trinity Smith Vulcan, Coach Onika Peterson, assistant coach Miles Otstot
Star Eagle photo by Eli Lutgens
By MICHAEL ROY
Editorial Assistant
There was no certainty that winter sports would happen in 2020. After stumbling to a 5-14 record a year ago, 3-11 in conference, NRHEG girls basketball head coach Onika Peterson expects this team to be more competitive. Entering her 8th season as head coach, Peterson has compiled a record of 108-80. She is assisted by longtime coach John Schultz, and Miles Otstot.
NRHEG returns a long list of athletes from a year ago after graduating two seniors, Kendall Johnson and Cassidy Martin. Returning award winners include Gopher Conference 2nd team Sidney Schultz, along with Gopher Conference Honorable Mention Erin Jacobson. Other returning letter winners include: senior Sophie Stork, junior Sarah George, junior Andry Briggs, junior Trinity Smith Vulcan, sophomore Faith Nielsen, and sophomore Hallie Schultz.
“I am excited about the athletes that we have coming back,” coach Peterson said. “We have a lot of athletes who have played big Varsity minutes.”
How do the Panthers expect to do this year?
Five years ago the Panthers finished 27-6 capturing a Consolation Championship in the state tournament. Although this year’s time hasn’t set its heights quite so high, they do expect to compete each night.
“We are looking to be competitive in every game that we play,” coach Peterson said. “We had a great summer season and are looking to build off of that. We are hoping to keep improving throughout the season, so that we are playing our best at playoff time.”
Having a large core of returning athletes may be the key to success, says Peterson, but the other is for those athletes to stay healthy. “We have had a couple of injuries that we are overcoming.”
A year ago, senior Sophie Stork’s season was shortened after recovering from knee surgery.
This year, the Panthers will rely on speed, toughness, and stamina to stay in stride with all their opponents. “Offensively, we need to attack the basket and move well without the ball,” Peterson explains. “We need to play tough and scrappy defense. Our biggest focus will be rebounding and running whenever we can.”
Within the conference, coach Peterson says that Hayfield is a favorite this season and in the section Waseca and Belle Plaine.