By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
It's a pretty safe bet that second-year head coach Dan Schmidt expects improvement for the NRHEG boys' basketball team.
Last year's Panthers finished with a record of 3-24, including 3-13 in the Gopher Conference and 3-13 against section opponents.
The Panthers graduated three seniors from that squad, Sawyer Prigge, Brady Schlaak and Dylan Ingvaldson.
Eight letterwinners return, led by four-year starting guard Daxter Lee, a top-five scorer in school history who was second team all-conference, team MVP and MVP in the Kwik Trip Holiday Tournament. He averaged 18.5 points, five rebounds and three assists last season.
"He can create his own shot," said Coach Schmidt. "He has a great inside and out game."
Also back is senior Jase Knudson, the Panthers' Most Improved Player and their Defensive MVP.
Six more varsity veterans are back.
Will Tuttle, a 6-foot-6 senior center, enters his third year on the varsity, having averaged 7.4 points and 7.5 rebounds last season. He was a state medal winner in the hurdles last spring.
Senior Sam Olson, a third-year varsity player, is described by Schmidt as tough and athletic. He averaged 6.7 points a year ago.
Senior Jackson Chrz is a 6-6 athletic froward/center who averaged 4.7 points. Greyson Schaefer, a 6-5 junior, can play guard or forward and, according to Schmidt, was a great leader on the junior varsity team last year.
"He's an athletic player who can play on both ends of the floor," said Schmidt. "He can score at three levels."
Junior guard Aaden Hanna is an excellent defender and leader, according to Schmidt.
"He's tough all over the court," said Schmidt. "He's willing to do the dirty work to help the team."
Levin Kitzer, a senior forward, is looking to contribute this season after working hard the last couple years.
"We have a lot of potential if we can put all the pieces together," said Coach Schmidt. "I expect our seniors to step up and be great leaders this season, as most of them are now in their third year on varsity. We want to take advantage of our size and athleticism on both ends of the court."
Schmidt's assistant coaches are Aaron Gilliland and Tyler Schlaak.
NRHEG High School 2023-24 Boys' Basketball
Tues., Dec. 5 at Blue Earth Area, 7:30
Fri., Dec. 8 vs. Triton, 7:15
Thurs., Dec. 14 at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15
Fri., Dec. 15 at Randolph, 7:15
Mon., Dec. 18 at STEM Academy, 7:15
Fri., Dec. 22 at United South Central, 7:15
Wed., Dec. 27 at Bethany Tmt., 6:30
Thurs., Dec. 28 at Bethany Tmt., TBA
Fri., Dec. 29 at Bethany Tmt., TBA
Fri., Jan. 5 vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 7:15
Tues., Jan. 9 vs. WEM, 7:15
Fri., Jan. 12 at Hayfield, 7:15
Mon., Jan. 15 at Tri-City United, 7:15
Tues., Jan. 16 at JWP, 7:15
Fri., Jan. 19 vs. Blooming Prairie, 7:15
Tues., Jan. 23 vs. Maple River, 7:15
Fri., Jan. 26 at Bethlehem Academy, 7:15
Mon., Jan. 29 vs. Medford, 7:15
Tues., Jan. 30 at Waseca, 7:30
Fri., Feb. 2 vs. United South Central, 7:15
Tues., Feb. 6 at WEM, 7:15
Fri., Feb. 9 vs. JWP, 7:15
Mon., Feb. 12 at St. James, 7:15
Tues., Feb. 13 at Maple River, 7:15
Tues., Feb. 20 at St. Clair, 7 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 22 at LeSueur-Henderson, 7:15
Fri., Feb. 23 at Medford, 7:15
Sat., Feb. 24 Conf. championship, TBA