SO LONG, FANS - NRHEG girls' basketball seniors, from left: Paige Overgaard, Hannah Lundberg, Jade Schultz, Carlie Wagner (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

For upwards of an hour Saturday evening, Panther fans waited patiently in the high school gymnasium for their beloved girls.

Finally, the loud and colorful caravan - featuring fire trucks from New Richland, Hartland, Ellendale and Geneva - rolled into town, carrying the not once but twice state champions.

The heroes were home.

Mark Domeier let people know it.

"Welcome to New Richland for our third annual welcome home celebration and your two-time state champion New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers!" exclaimed Domeier, NRHEG's basketball public address announcer.

For the first of many times, the near-capacity crowd rose for a standing ovation.

With much enthusiasm, Domeier introduced the Panthers, one by one — players Hannah Lundberg, Maddie Wagner, Marnie Wagner, Carlie Wagner, Jade Peterson, Gretchen Ramaker, Paige Overgaard, Anna Stork, Jade Schultz, Kelli Harrington, Kayley Camerer and Ryann Hagen; coaches John Schultz, Grant Berg and Onika Peterson; managers Anna Lundberg, Hailey Schuller, Sydney Schultz and Annie Prigge.

Domeier thanked the people that helped bring it all together, Paul Kampen for readying the gymnasium, Ryan Phillips for donating a state championship sign and Rick Schultz for organizing NRHEG's fan busses.

"This is why we have the best fan base and bring the most people to the state tournament every year," said Domeier.

For fear of stealing head coach John Schultz's thunder, which Domeier said may have happened last year, he handed the microphone to the 2013 Minnesota Class AA Coach of the Year.

"I don't have too many words left," joked Schultz. "I used them all up on the refs today. And you did steal my thunder!"

Seriously, Schultz said it was all about the fans.

"We've had the best attendance of any team in the state tournament the last three years," said Schultz. "It's unbelievable what you guys have done for our girls."

The coach also thanked many people, not the least of which is the parents of the players.

"You guys have put so much into this, since third grade, tournament after tournament, season after season," he said. "It takes a lot of time, and it takes a lot of money. I would hope it all paid off."

"Ten years ago, many of us here today traveled to Minneapolis for our first state tournament," said Domeier. "These girls were 5, 6, 7, 8 at the time, but I know it drove those girls, and I know this group of girls is setting that same standard. You've led us on a journey these last few years that was beyond anything we could have imagined."

It's special, Domeier said, because the Panthers are not only great basketball players but outstanding individuals.

"I know, as a parent, I would be very proud if my kids grew up to be just like you guys," said Domeier. "I know from radio interviews that Hannah is looking into missionary work after high school. I heard Paige, Carlie and Jade are interested in education. Again, it would be a real privilege to teach in the same school district as you someday. No matter what, you girls have set the bar high. I hope everyone in New Richland, Hartland, Ellendale and Geneva appreciates it."

Finally, the seniors — Carlie Wagner, Lundberg, Overgaard and Jade Schultz — were coaxed to the microphone.

"We want to give a shout out to our fans and the student body," said Wagner. "You guys are our whole motivation, and we want to thank you for that."

"I'd like to thank the Pequot Lakes coach for giving us the motivation to win," said Lundberg. "Stay classy, NRHEG, stay classy!"