by JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
The NRHEG boys' basketball team played a very competitive first half against Gopher Conference East leader Hayfield Friday, Feb. 5.
The second half was all home team.
The Panthers, who trailed just 29-26 at halftime, were outscored 36-14 by the Vikings in the second half and lost 65-40.
"We came out of the gate a little slow, but ended the first half on an 11-0 run to pull within three," said Panthers coach Dan Schmidt. "The second half, however, we just couldn't get in to our offense, and things fell apart."
Daxter Lee led the Panthers in scoring with 13 points. Will Tuttle totaled 8 points, Jackson Chrz 7 points and 6 rebounds, Lukas Loverink 4 points and 4 rebounds, Sawyer Prigge 3 points, Alden Dobberstein 3 points and Greyson Schaefer 2 points.
Zander Jacobson and Isaac Matti from Hayfield led all scorers with 19 apiece, followed by Ethan Pack with 18.
The Panthers dropped a 69-46 decision to Maple River at New Richland Monday, Jan. 30. It was similar to the Hayfield game. The Panthers were within 29-22 at halftime.
"I don't think the game felt as much of a blowout as the score suggested," said Schmidt. "We battled them the first half, and even led a fair amount. One little run to end
the half was the turning point at that time." Schmidt said improvement was seen on
both defense and offense.
"Our defensive effort was markedly better than what it has been, and it felt like our offense was much more patient and efficient than what we've been playing of late," he stated. "The second half was just a matter of the No. 5 team in the state flexing their muscle and showing why they're rated. Maple River is an extremely good team that plays
awesome defense, and Hayden Niebuhr is a match-up nightmare for most any team."
Sam Olson scored 15 points on three 3pointers to lead the Panthers. Lee scored 14, Prigge 6, Tuttle 4 points and 5 rebounds, Dobberstein 3 points, Loverink 2 points and Schaefer 2 points. Niebuhr led all scorers with 27.
The Panthers, 1-11 in conference and 1-19 overall, host Blooming Prairie Friday and LeSueur-Henderson Tuesday, Feb. 14.