State champions!
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Wagner rewrites the books with six state records
WE’RE NO. 1 — Members of the NRHEG girls’ basketball team celebrate after winning the Class AA state championship Saturday afternoon at Target Center in Minneapolis. The Panthers, No. 2 in the final state ratings, defeated No. 3 Braham 60-59 in what’s been called one of the most exciting championship games in state tournament history. The Panthers’ Carlie Wagner made history herself, breaking five state records and tying another. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
For Carlie Wagner and the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team, it was a storybook end to a fairy tale season. There are no more game plans to prepare, no more challenges or adversity to overcome and, most importantly, no more teams to beat.
The Panthers won it all.
Behind a relentless scoring performance by Wagner and tremendous team defense, the Panthers captured the Minnesota Class AA state championship with a thrilling 60-59 victory over Braham at Target Center in Minneapolis Saturday afternoon.
“It’s incredible,” said Wagner, signing autographs after the welcome home ceremony Saturday. “Just looking at everyone in the packed gym is insane. When everyone stood up and cheered, I just went numb.”
We are the champions
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NRHEG girls capture Class AA state crown
Above, NRHEG girls' basketball players mob Carlie Wagner after the Panthers defeated Braham 60-59 for the Class AA Minnesota state championship Saturday at Target Center in Minneapolis. Below, Wagner goes in for a lay-up after stealing the ball late in the game. Wagner set five state tournament records and tied another as the Panthers finished 32-1 with a 30-game winning streak. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
Wagner leads Panthers back to state
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NRHEG basketball girls repeat as Section 2AA champions
WE’RE GOING BACK! — NRHEG girls’ basketball players celebrate after winning Section 2AA championship at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday night, earning a second straight trip to the state tournament. Among the players pictured are Paige Overgaard, Maddie Wagner, Katie Cole, Marnie Wagner, Abby Crabtree and Jade Schultz. The Panthers open the state tournament Wednesday at 8 p.m. against Pelican Rapids at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
What’s better than going to the state tournament?
How about going two years in a row?
That’s what the NRHEG girls’ basketball team is doing after Carlie Wagner and company — behind a large and loud fan following — dismantled St. Peter 96-61 for the Section 2AA championship at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday night.
The Panthers, third in last year’s state tournament behind a record-setting performance by Wagner, will face Section 8AA champion Pelican Rapids at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Rated No. 2 in the state in Class AA, the Panthers take a 29-1 record and 27-game winning streak to state.
The Panthers and coach John Schultz weren’t thinking about that on Friday, though. They, along with much of the NRHEG community, simply celebrated the moment and soaked it all in.
On to Target Center
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NRHEG girls defeat Pelican Rapids 62-49 in state quarterfinals
INTENSITY — NRHEG's Jade Schultz wrestles for the ball against Pelican Rapids' Mackenzie Korf during Wednesday night's Class AA quarterfinal game of the Minnesota State Girls' Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The Panthers won 62-49, advancing to the semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. against Minneapolis Washburn at Target Center. Also in the photo: Marnie Wagner, Sommer Haugrud, Paige Overgaard and Carlie Wagner, who led all scorers with 31 points. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
GAME FACES — NRHEG girls' basketball players watch the early quarterfinal game at Williams Arena Wednesday awaiting their 8 p.m. matchup with Pelican Rapids. Front from left: Hannah Lundberg, Carlie Wagner, Marnie Wagner. Back: Katie Cole, Jade Schultz. The Panthers Friday face Minneapolis Washburn (23-7), which edged last year's state runner-up Sauk Rapids 64-58 in the game the Panthers watched.
A return to the big show
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Panthers dominate St. Peter for Section 2AA crown
Above, NRHEG's Paige Overgaard (10), Hannah Lundberg (00), Jade Schultz (12), Anna Stork (11) and others greet cheerleaders and fans on the court after the Panther girls' basketball team's 96-61 victory over St. Peter for the Section 2AA championship and state tournament berth at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday night. Below, NRHEG junior Carlie Wagner (3) stole the show with 49 points. The Panthers, 29-1 and ranked No. 2 in the state in Class AA, will meet Pelican Rapids in the opening round of the state tournament Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The Panthers placed third in last year's state tourney. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
