Panthers top Hayfield for sub-section title

NRHEG girls' basketball players Katie Cole (14), Carlie Wagner (3) and Jade Schultz (12) hold the Section 2AA South Sub-Section championship trophy aloft after the Panthers defeated Hayfield 58-48 at Minnesota State-Mankato Wednesday night. The Panthers trailed at halftime and the game was close throughout until NRHEG pulled away in the final minutes. The win advanced the Panthers to the Section 2AA championship game Friday at 8 p.m. at Minnesota State. The winner of that game goes to the state tournament. "Hayfield did a great job defensively and held our fast break in check," said coach John Schultz of Wednesday's game. "We let our missed shots get to us. But defense and rebounds, the things we can control, we did a nice job with. I was proud of our efforts. Jade Schultz gave great effort all around to keep us in the game. Our kids had to play with adversity and come from behind to win. This should help us play with more poise next game." (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)