Senior Tyrone Wilson scores during the teams only win in a Holiday Tournament in a game against MVL. Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The NRHEG boys basketball team evened it’s record at 3-3 after winning one of three games during a holiday tournament at Bethany Lutheran College. A good Panthers team looked to do well entering the tournament, having won this same tournament in 2016, a year the Panther’s earned a state tournament berth.
St. Clair 68, NRHEG 55
After an unfortunate break in action, the Panthers played hard against the Saints, ultimately in a losing effort, in the opening round of a Holiday tournament, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021.
The Panthers kept it close, trailing 29-22 at halftime, but according to NRHEG head coach Isaigh Lundberg, “We just didn’t have our legs at the end of the game.
“I thought we had a good first half and did some really good things. We started the second half well and played hard, but as the game went on, we got tired. St. Clair took advantage of 11 turnovers in the first half and we were lucky to only be down seven.”
Porter Peterson led the Panthers in scoring with 14, followed by: Daxter Lee, 13; Tryone Wilson 10; Jaxon Beck 6; Jack Olson 5; Conner Nelson 3; Benjamin Schoenrock 2, Charlie Nissen 2.
NRHEG 60, MVL 52
The Panthers started game two of the tournament facing Martin Valley Luther. It was a back and forth game until about the 8 minute mark in the first half. MVL was leading 17-15 when their offense stalled out. They didn't score the rest of the half. A few impressive threes by Peterson lead to a 16-0 run, putting the Panthers up 31-17 at the break.
The second half started a little slow, but the Panthers hung on to win with MVL, getting as close as 7 points multiple times.
“I give credit to MVL for coming back,” coach Lundberg said. “In the end we did enough on the defensive end and made free throws to keep it up enough to have a comfortable lead.”
Peterson led in scoring again, with 31 points, followed by: Lee, 14; Wilson 10; Olson 5.
Maple River 76, NRHEG 45
In the third and final game, the Panthers got behind early and couldn’t mount a comeback.
“We didn't have the best of starts to the game and Maple River came out and hit some shots early and we couldn't get anything to fall,” coach Lundberg explained. “Before you knew, the game was 20-4 and we had to play catch up.”
The Panthers trailed 38-19 at halftime and failed to make it any closer.
Peterson led in scoring with 16, followed by: Lee 14, Wilson 7; Schoenrock 4; Sam Olson 2; Beck 2.
The Panthers played Tuesday at St. Clair, and host Medford next Tuesday.
and travel to TCU on Jan. 13