Girls fall in conference championship
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Two years, two conference championship losses to Hayfield.
After falling early in the season to the Vikings, the NRHEG girls' basketball team was looking for revenge, and a championship. They found neither, losing 63-55 Saturday night in Hayfield.
It was another classic and close game. The Panthers led early, often, and late, but saw their lead, and their chances, dwindle away in the final three minutes. Early in the first half they led by as much as seven. Late in the second they also led by as many as seven. Plagued by foul trouble, they somehow never trailed by more than four until the final minute of play.
With five minutes to play tied at 48-48, a risky in-traffic, in-lane pass from Quinn VanMaldeghem to Faith Nielsen put the Panthers up two.
The squads traded the lead only two more times. First, when Viking Kristen Watson was fouled connecting on a layup attempt and again when Panthers' senior Sidney Schultz scored a layup seconds later.
It was the final time the Panthers led.
Another bucket from Watson, who led all scorers with 35, put the Vikings ahead.
The Panthers tied the game one more time on a VanMaldeghem free throw. She led all Panthers with 15 points. The final minutes saw many fouls, many free throws, and many cheers from Hayfield fans as the Panthers' aggressive nature finally caught up with them.
Missed free throws gave the Panthers several chances to tie it in the final minute, but they failed to do so.
Schultz was sidelined for the final 10 minutes of the first half after committing her third foul and more than half the second half after she registered her fourth.
Senior Erin Jacobson registered her fourth foul with five minutes remaining in the second half. VanMaldeghem fouled out with 14 seconds remaining.
“When we get that many kids in foul trouble, it’s hard,” NRHEG coach Onika Peterson said after the game. “I can’t say enough about our younger kids. We went into halftime down by two without two of our seniors who were on the bench. Obviously it affects our game plan a ton. Sidney’s ran our varsity offense for how many years? She’s the quarterback of our team.
“A lot of girls stepped up. The twins; Faith had a great game; Hallie ran our offense for a little bit. She hasn’t had to be a point guard since eighth or ninth grade. So again, that shows leadership for building on. To see that they’ re capable of holding their composure and doing the little things. It’s nice to see.”
How will the girls respond after two difficult losses going forward?
“Does it break our spirits?” coach Peterson asked. “Absolutely not. We got kicked in the teeth last night against a tough Waterville team. We struggled and didn’t shoot the ball well. We showed up tonight. We got into some foul trouble, but our kids held their composure.
“I’m very, very proud of the girls and looking ahead going into section playoffs we need to make sure we’re focusing on playing Panther basket-
ball.”
With the loss the Panthers' overall
record falls to 19-5, (12-2 conference).
Individually for the Panthers: Quinn VanMaldeghem 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals; Faith Nielsen 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal; Sidney Schultz 9 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal; Camryn VanMaldeghem 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals; Preslie Nielsen 6 points; Erin Jacobson 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 charge; Hallie Schultz 2 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists; Adalyn Stadheim 2 rebounds.
The Panthers trailed just 22-20 at Waterville Friday, but foul trouble let it get out of hand and the Bucs won going away 66-44.
"We got into foul trouble early on," said Peterson. "WEM is solid defensively and we struggled getting good shots. Definitely not how we wanted the game to go, but tonight WEM was the better team. The sun will rise tomorrow."
Individually: F. Nielsen 22P, 3R, 2S; Q. VanMaldeghem 6P, 4R, 5S, 1 block; Jacobson 2P, 2R, 2S; Gabby Schlaak 1S; H. Schultz 6P, 3R, 1S, 1B; S. Schultz 5P, 4R, 1S, 2A; C. VanMaldeghem 3P, 4R, 1S; P. Nielsen 1R.
The Panthers started the week with a 69-29 victory over Blue Earth Area Monday, Feb. 13. NRHEG led 41-10 at halftime.
"After a tough game Friday night, the girls came out focused, hopped out to a quick lead and built on it throughout the game," said Peterson. "Everybody got in tonight. It will be nice to have a couple of practices so we can regroup and refocus for what we have left in the remainder of the season and playoffs."
Statistics: Tatum Smith Vulcan 2P, 3R, 1A; F. Nielsen 13P, 10R, 3S, 1A; Q. VanMaldeghem 8P, 7R, 1A; Jacobson 10P, 6R, 2A; Schlaak 3P; H. Schultz 4P, 7R, 4S, 1A; S. Schultz 10P, 4R, 2A, Stadheim 2P, 1R; Chloe Stork 1A; C. VanMaldeghem 9P, 1R, 2S; P. Nielsen 8P, 3R, 1S.
The Panthers finish the regular season at Waseca Thursday, Feb. 23.