Offense shines, but defense slams the door as NRHEG girls win three in a row
By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
The offense was outstanding last week for the NRHEG High School girls' basketball team.
But the defense may have been better.
The Panthers lit up the score- board, twice totaling 79 points, while twice allowing a high of 32 in three Gopher Conference victories, improving them to 18-3 overall and 12-1 in the conference.
The streak started Tuesday at Medford, where the NRHEG girls rolled to a 40-17 halftime advantage on their way to a 79-32 triumph.
"The girls came out focused and ready to play," said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson. "We controlled the game from start to finish. It was a great team win."
Erin Jacobson paced the Panthers with a double-double, totaling 19 points and 10 rebounds. Faith Nielsen finished with 18 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal. Sidney Schultz had her usual all-around strong game with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 4 assists. Others: Trinity Smith-Vulcan 8P, 3R; Camryn VanMaldeghem 8P, 6R, 6S; Quinn VanMaldeghem 7P, 6R, 2S,1A; Hallie Schultz 6P, 7R, 3S; Preslie Nielsen 2R, 1A; Addie Stadheim 2 R.
Thursday night against United South Central at Wells was more of the same. The Panthers bolted to a 46-14 lead at halftime and cruised to a 79-28 victory.
"We were able to get everyone a lot of playing tonight," said Coach Peterson. "Everyone scored and more importantly everyone rebounded well."
Individually: S.Schultz 15P, 4R, 6S, 3A; P.Nielsen 13P, 3R; Q.VanMaldeghem 11P, 5R, 3S, 3A, 2 blocked shots; F.Nielsen 10P, 3R, 1S, 1A; H.Schultz 8P, 4R, 2S, 1A; C.VanMaldeghem 5P, 3R, 3A; Gabby Schlaak 5P, 1R, 1A; Smith- Vulcan 4P, 6R, 2S, 2A; Stadheim 4P, 3R, 1A; Jacobson 2P, 4R, 1A; Chloe Stork 2P, 1R, 2A.
The Panthers' road trip continued Friday at Blooming Prairie, where the Blossoms proved to be much more of a challenge. After trailing 18-13 at halftime, NRHEG rallied to win 44-32.
"It was a great team win tonight against a tough Blooming Prairie team," said Peterson. "I am proud of the resilience we showed down the stretch."
Sidney Schultz put the team on her back and finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds and a steal as the lone Panther scorer in double fig- ures.
Others: F.Nielsen 8P, 7R, 2S; C.VanMaldeghem 6P, 1R, 3S; Jacobson 4P, 8R, 3S; Q.VanMaldeghem 3P, 5R, 4S; H.Schultz 2P, 3R, 2S, 2A; Stadheim 1R.
The Panthers were back at home Monday against Blue Earth Area for Senior Night. They play Friday at WEM and host St. Clair Tuesday, Feb. 21.