NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
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NRHEG boys advance to sub-section title game


By TROY THOMPSON

Sportswriter

The NRHEG boys’ basketball team stormed into Sub-Section 2AA play last week with a pair of impressive wins to help build momentum toward a showdown with Gopher Conference champion Maple River in the sub-section finals.


NRHEG 59, Waseca 50

Three-pointers proved to be a dangerous weapon for the Panthers in their 59-50 win over Waseca on Friday, Feb. 27, in the Sub-Section 2AA South semifinals. This time, however, NRHEG would need to deploy their long-range shots to help them rally in the late going after trailing for most of the game.

Much like their regular-season meeting in Waseca on Feb. 3, the atmosphere on the neutral court in Mankato was electric. In the prior matchup, NRHEG jumped out to a 13-5 lead and held off the Bluejays for the rest of the game en route to a 74-53 win.

This time around, it was the No. 3-seeded Bluejays who jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead and kept the Panthers at bay for most of the game.

NRHEG senior 3rd at state tourney


By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Three NRHEG High School wrestlers left with high hopes last week for the state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Todd Erickson fulfilled them.

Erickson, a senior, finished third at 220 pounds in Class A for the bronze medal. Senior Dillon Kubiatowicz was one win away from a medal, while junior Cordell Peterson can set his sights on next year.

“I was extremely happy with the performances of our three guys this weekend,” said Panthers coach Shawn Larson.

Especially Erickson.

“Todd was impressive, and showed excellent composure in matches that were very close,” said Larson. “In the quarterfinals Todd won 3-2, in the semifinals he lost in four overtimes, and in the third-place match he won with a takedown right at the end. In each of these situations Todd showed his experience by remaining calm, looking to score points when the opportunity came and not trying to force points.”


The NRHEG girls’ basketball team ended the regular season against possibly the toughest team it could face in the postseason.

The Panthers hosted Section 2AA favorite St. Peter Monday, Feb. 23 and lost a 49-40 nonconference decision at New Richland. The Panthers, 9-3 in Gopher Valley Conference play, finished the regular season with a record of 13-11. 

The Saints started the game strong, scoring their first eight points on transition baskets. They led 19-14 at halftime.

According to Panthers coach Onika Peterson, free-throw shooting was a key factor.

“They shot 18-for-30 from the line,” said Peterson. “We shot 5-for-18. We can’t shoot 27 percent from the free-throw line; they should be easy baskets.”