NRHEG girls enjoy 4-0 week, improve to 19-0

STRAIGHT TO THE HOOP — Abby Crabtree of NRHEG (5) drives straight into four Maple River defenders at New Richland last week. Also pictured for NRHEG are Tori Raimann (11) and Hannah Lundberg (21). (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

WHAT TO DO — The Panthers’ Danielle Krueger, left, looks to either shoot or pass the ball to Tori Raimann (11) against Waseca last week. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

As it has been all season, nobody could stop the NRHEG girls’ basketball team last week. The Panthers improved to 19-0 overall and 9-0 in the Gopher Conference with four more victories. The Panthers were rated No. 3 in the state in Class AA in last week’s rankings.

On Monday at home against Maple River, the Panthers took an early 20-2 advantage, led 50-13 at halftime and rolled to a 78-34 triumph.

“Our bench played well and played a lot of the game,” said coach John Schultz. “They could not handle our press. We broke free for a lot of layups. I was proud to see the rebound totals in our favor, 47-24.”

NRHEG individual statistics: Carlie Wagner 22 points, five assists; Katie Cole 12 points, nine rebounds; Jade Schultz 10 points, five rebounds, three assists; Anna Schlaak nine points, nine rebounds, five steals; Abby Crabtree eight points; Maddie Wagner eight points; Raelin Schue five points; Tori Raimann two points; Marnie Wagner one point.

The B-squad won 60-17.

The Panthers hosted Waseca in a nonconference contest Tuesday and won 63-38. It was 37-21 at halftime.

“Our half-court trap and the battle of the boards is what made the difference,” said Coach Schultz. “All five of our kids on the floor work so hard to make the defense work. I was very proud of our team defense. Carlie and Anna really finished breaks for us. Anna had an outstanding game. Carlie was relentless on the fast break. Anna and Jade really pounded the boards with 29 between them.”

Carlie Wagner poured in a game-high 35 points. Schlaak had19 rebounds, five assists, six steals and three blocked shots. Others: Schultz six points, 10 rebounds; Cole six points; Raimann five points; Schue five points; Krueger two points; Lundberg seven rebounds.

NRHEG outrebounded Waseca 52-33.

The NRHEG B-squad lost for the first time this season, 47-37.

The Panthers faced a tough test at Waterville Thursday, where they were tied 28-28 at halftime but pulled away for a 56-47 victory.

“WEM played a very good game,” said Coach Schultz. “They stayed with us on the boards, shot well inside and did a great job busting our trap. Coach Hauer does an excellent job. We were frustrated by things not going as usual. We could not hit our shots. Our man defense the second part of the second half pulled us through. Our kids were tested and they passed the test. I am proud of their efforts.”

Individually: Carlie Wagner 27 points, five rebounds, four steals; Schlaak seven points, five rebounds; Schultz six points, five rebounds, four assists; Cole six points; Schue four points; Lundberg three points, six rebounds; Raimann three points.

NRHEG won the battle of the boards 25-22. The Panthers shot 28 percent from two-point range and 40 percent on threes. WEM was 44 percent inside the arc and 33 percent outside.

The Panther B-squad won 46-31.

The Panthers finished the busy week Friday at home against Loyola. They crushed the Crusaders 66-29. The halftime score was 31-19.

“We struggled stopping their inside game the first half,” said Coach Schultz. “The second half we shut it down. It was a great effort by our defenders down low. Ten of our girls scored tonight. The bench did a great job in transition. I’m proud of our efforts.”

Individually: Carlie Wagner 21 points, eight assists, three steals; Schultz 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists; Schlaak six points, 11 rebounds; Cole six points, six rebounds; Raimann four points, six rebounds; Schue four points; Maddie Wagner four points; Crabtree two points; Lundberg two points; Marnie Wagner two points.

NRHEG outrebounded Loyola 43-20, shooting 28-for-66 to the Crusaders’ 13-for-47.

The B-squad won 70-23.

The Panthers play Tuesday at Bethlehem Academy. They host USC Thursday. On Saturday, they take on Goodhue at 6 p.m. at Carleton College in Northfield. They entertain Blooming Prairie Jan. 31.