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Nothing can stop NRHEG in thrilling state tourney
WE WIN! — NRHEG girls’ basketball players and fans erupt after the final buzzer in Saturday’s unforgettable 60-59 triumph over Braham for the Class AA state championship at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
MINNEAPOLIS – The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team overcame some incredible odds to win its first state championship last week. It was the third time and second straight state tourney appearance for the Panthers.
NRHEG had to overcome the loss of two starters, plus three average shooting nights, to win three consecutive games and close out a second straight outstanding season with a Class AA title.
Leading the charge, as usual, was the stellar play of junior Carlie Wagner. “The Dagger” averaged 43 points per game at the tourney, breaking last year’s record scoring pace of 112 points by 17 points this season. She also set five other state tournament marks.
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Wagner scores 49 as NRHEG girls top St. Peter for section crown
TO THE PROMISED LAND — Carlie Wagner drives to the basket against St. Peter’s Kierstin Karlsrud during the Section 2AA championship game at Mankato last Friday. Wagner finished with 49 points as the Panthers won 96-61 to return to the state tournament. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
It is often harder to repeat a championship than it is to win the first one.
The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team ruined that theory with four double-digit wins on its way to a second straight Section 2AA championship.
The Panthers had their toughest game of the tournament with a 10-point win over Hayfield for the sub-section title.
NRHEG overwhelmed St. Peter to earn another trip to state in the section final. The Panthers also defeated SP for a trip to state a year ago.
NRHEG will take a 27-game winning streak and a 29-1 overall record to state.
Hayfield
MANKATO – NRHEG overcame a horrible shooting night to break a tie with four minutes remaining to post a 58-48 win over Hayfield in the sub-section championship game March 6.
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By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
ADAMS – The Southland Rebels went on a 23-5 scoring run the final seven minutes of the game to ruin the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team’s upset hopes in the South Sub-Section 2AA opener March 4.
The second-seeded Rebels pulled away to post a 57-33 triumph over the seventh-seeded Panthers.
Coach Pat Churchill’s Panthers lost 11 of their final 13 games to finish the year with a 6-19 record, three wins fewer than last year’s 9-18 mark.
Southland moved into the sub-section semifinals with a 20-7 record.
“It is always tough when you are done for the year,” said Churchill. “I thought for 28 minutes our kids played a heck of a ball game.”