REASON TO SMILE — NRHEG sophomore Carlie Wagner wore a big smile after being presented a special basketball by coach John Schultz after scoring her 1,000th career point at St. Peter last Thursday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Sophomore hits milestone as NRHEG girls stay undefeated
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Carlie Wagner tops 1,000 career points, the NRHEG girls’ basketball team powers its way to a tournament championship and, along the way, remains undefeated.
Just another day at the gym for the Panthers.
Wagner, just a sophomore, reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career as the Panthers dominated St. Peter 70-44 for the title in the St. Peter Holiday Classic that wrapped up last Thursday.
Wagner, who entered the game needing 17 points for 1,000, was battling a cold and wasn’t feeling 100 percent before the game. Nevertheless, she got the milestone out of the way in the first half, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists. She was named the tournament’s MVP.
According to coach John Schultz, Wagner was not a one-player show.
“We played a complete game, the whole team played well,” said Schultz. “Our defense created a lot of turnovers that cashed into points.”
Jade Schultz, the coach’s daughter, made three three-point baskets to finish with 14 points. She was an all-tournament selection.Anna Schlaak had 11 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, seven steals and two blocked shots; Raelin Schue nine points, three blocks; Hannah Lundberg six points, eight rebounds, six steals; Marnie Wagner two points; Katie Cole one point.
The Panthers outrebounded St. Peter 35-17 and had 13 turnovers to the Saints’ 21.
“Anna Schlaak was all over the place and stole the show on the boards,” said Coach Schultz. “And with her keen eye for steals, she also shot well. We finally had four girls close to double figures. Raelin Schue is playing much better now which we expected to happen soon. The kids that are not scoring are doing so much on our defensive schemes. I’m very happy with our efforts as a team. People are playing their roles very well.”
The Panthers opened the tournament with a 68-44 victory over Bemidji on Wednesday. They started slow, leading 28-22 at halftime, but broke it open early in the second half.
“We made a lot of mistakes and kept them in the game,” said Coach Schultz. “In the second half we played better and pulled away immediately.”
The Panthers outrebounded Bemidji 51-23 and had 11 turnovers to Bemidji’s 17.
Individually: Carlie Wagner 25 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, three blocks; Jade Schultz 16 points (four threes), seven rebounds, four assists, three steals; Cole eight point, six rebounds; Schue eight points, nine rebounds; Schlaak three points, 11 rebounds, seven steals; Abby Crabtree three points; Danielle Krueger two points; Marnie Wagner two points; Maddie Wagner two points. Marnie and Maddie are seventh-graders, Carlie’s sisters.
The Panthers, 5-0 in the Gopher Conference, improved to 9-0 overall.
The Panthers host Hayfield in a boy-girl Saturday doubleheader Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m.