LIFE IN THE PAINT — Spencer Hanna of the Panthers hangs onto a rebound despite being harassed by WEM defenders at New Richland last Friday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The NRHEG boys’ basketball team put together a winning streak for the first time this season last week.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown put an end to it.

After defeating Medford 63-58 on Tuesday and topping Randolph 57-41 Thursday, the Panthers fell 68-55 at home Friday night to Gopher Conference-leading WEM.

The Panthers, who started the season 0-5, improved their record to 5-10 overall and 3-5 in the Gopher Conference.

At home against Medford, the survived a back-and-forth contest, going on a 6-0 run to take a 26-18 halftime lead and starting the second half on a 7-0 run. Medford battled back but couldn’t get any closer than four after that.

“I thought we played one of our better games on Saturday and lost, but today I thought this was one of our worst performances of the year and we were able to find a way to win,” said coach Pat Churchill. “Give credit to Medford. Their 2-3 made us play slow and with out any sense of urgency. Then we got sloppy and turned the ball over way too much. We had 25 turnovers tonight and that will get you beat a lot.”

Tyler Sorenson and Matt Carlson carried the Panthers on the offensive end with 36 points combined.

“We need to play a lot better than we did tonight,” said Churchill “We know we have the guys who want to win and are willing to work hard to get better, but we can't come out and not be the more aggressive team on the court ever.”

NRHEG individual leaders: Sorenson 19 points, eight rebounds; Carlson 17 points; Carter Tollefson nine points; Lucas Meyer eight points; Sam Lundberg three points; Nic Mangskau three points; Spencer Hanna two points; Kevin Minter two points.

The NRHEG B-squad lost 45-37.

The Panthers cruised against 1-11 Randolph at home Thursday, taking an early 10-2 edge and leading 26-14 at halftime.

Carlson had a very good night shooting the ball with five three-pointers, two in the first half and three in the second for 27 points.

“It was really nice to see him have a shooting game like that,” said Churchill. “He is a very good shooter and when he gets hot like that he is very dangerous.”

Also helping was the Panthers’ turnover total: nine.

“We have had games well over 20 lately, so it was nice to be able to not turn the ball over as much,” said Churchill.

Individual scoring: Carlson 27, Sorenson nine, Meyer seven, Lundberg five, Carter Tollefson four, Hanna three, Mangskau two.

The Panthers’ B-squad rocked Randolph 54-18.

Then came WEM, whom the Panthers were ready for with a packed gym. They saw a good game.

“WEM is one of the best teams in the area, but I felt our kids played with them step for step for most of the game,” said Churchill.

Early on it was back and forth, but Lorenzo Lelli hit consecutive three-pointers in transition to expand WEM's lead from four to 10. The rest of the game it didn't get three points higher or lower than that. WEM made 10 three-point baskets, five by Tate Harmon and five from Lelli.

“We told our kids that they were good shooters but also real athletic and good penetrators,” said Churchill. “We focused on trying to contest the shots but not so much that we allow them to get to the basket. Tonight our kids did exactly what I told them to do and WEM being a really good team that they are took advantage and knocked down some big shots.”

Tollefson had his best game of the year, according to Churchill, coming up huge on offense while grabbing eight rebounds.

“I think our kids played an outstanding game tonight and can be proud of our effort,” said Churchill.

Individually: Tollefson 14 points, eight rebounds; Lundberg 10 points, eight rebounds; Sorenson eight points; Hanna seven points; Carlson four points; Mangskau four points; Minter two points.

The Panthers play Tuesday at Blue Earth Area and Friday at Mankato Loyola. They host Bethlehem Academy Jan. 24.

Gopher Conference standings

Bethlehem Academy 6-0

WEM 6-0

United South Central 5-1

Mankato Loyola 4-2

Blooming Prairie 2-3

JWP 2-4

NRHEG 3-5

Medford 2-5

Randolph 0-6