By JIM LUTGENS

Sports Editor

Coach Onika Peterson wasn't kidding when she said the NRHEG High School girls' basketball team was in for a tough stretch of games.

It finally ended last Friday when the Panthers defeated Bethlehem Academy on Senior Night in New Richland.

The rest of the week didn't go as well.

The previous Monday, the Panthers fell 65-55 at home to Tri-City United. They trailed 37-27 at halftime, and at one juncture rallied within one point.

"We put ourselves in a hole that we had to crawl out of," said Peterson. "We cut their lead to one, but never could get over the hump. I’m proud of this team’s second-half fight. We're looking to bounce back against a Gopher Conference foe tomorrow. It’ll be nice to have two days of practice after that. Having three games in a row vs. a couple really tough teams gets long."

The VanMaldeghem twins were the lone NRHEG scorers to reach double figures. Quinn totaled 17 points, along with 11 rebounds, three steals and an assist. Camryn had 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and four assists.

Others: Faith Nielsen 4P, 3R, 1A, 1S; Izley Boerner 1R, 1A; Hallie Schultz 2P, 5R, 4A; Addy Stadheim 1R, 1A; Preslie Nielsen 9P, 3R, 2S; Kyrie Olson 8P, 7R, 1S.

The next night, the Panthers traveled to Mapleton and dropped an 80-73 decision to Maple River. 

"We knew that this stretch of five games was going to be extremely tough for us, and it was," said Peterson. "We faced some great teams these last two weeks. Tonight we did a lot of things really well. Unfortunately, Lexi Thomas put on a show with her three-point shooting. She went 6-for-8 from the three-point line and finished with 30. Claire McGregor had 25 herself. It is hard to compete when they have two kids scoring for a combined 55. It will be nice to get a couple times of practice in before we host BA for Senior night on Friday."

Individually for the Panthers: F.Nielsen 9P, 5R, 1A; Q.VanMaldeghem 14P, 12R, 6A, 2S; Boerner 6P, 1A; Schultz 14P, 11R, 3A, 1S; C.VanMaldeghem 20P, 7R, 3A, 2S; P.Nielsen 3P, 2R, 1S; Olson 7P, 6R, 1A, 1 blocked shot.

The Panthers got back on the winning track against BA, leading 31-12 at halftime en route to a 56-32 victory.

After a bit of a slow start, the Panthers went on an 11-0 run late in the first half, punctuated by two three-pointers from Presley Nielsen and one by Clara Buendorf.

"It was a great team win," said Peterson. "We started off the night celebrating our four seniors: Hallie Schultz, Faith, Preslie, and Hope Nielsen. We appreciate all their hard work, effort, and dedication that they have given to the NRHEG basketball program over the years."

Individually: F.Nielsen 8P, 2R, 2A, 1S; Q.VanMaldeghem 10P, 10R, 5A, 7S; Boerner 5P, 6R, 1A, 1S; Buendorf 3P, 1R, 2A, 3S; Schultz 4P, 7R; C.VanMaldeghm 10P, 3R, 3S; P.Nielsen 6P, 1R, 1A, 1S; H.Nielsen 6P, 1R, 1A; Olson 4P, 2R, 1S, 2B.

The Panthers cruised at Medford 66-19 Monday, Jan. 29. They were up 44-9 at halftime.

"It was a great team win," said Coach Peterson. "Medford is down, so we were able to get a lot of kids a lot of minutes tonight. The team moved the ball well, they made the extra pass and found their teammates. It will be nice to have a couple of days of practice to prepare for Triton on Thursday and USC Friday."

Individually: Chloe Riewer 1R, 1A; F.Nielsen 12P, 6R, 3A, 1S; Q.VanMaldeghem 2P, 11R, 6A, 2S; I.Boerner 4P, 1R; Buendorf 8P, 4R; Schultz 13P, 6R, 3A, 1S; C.VanMaldeghem 12P, 11R, 4A, 4S, 1B; Ezra Boerner 2P, 1R, 3A, 1S; P.Nielsen 3P, 3R, 3A, 1S; Savannah Farr 4R, 1R, 1A; Olson 6P, 8R.

The Panthers, 15-5 overall and 8-3 in the Gopher Conference West, play Thursday at Triton and Friday at USC before hosting WEM Tuesday, Jan. 6.