By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG boys’ basketball team faced a few foes it was supposed to beat last week.
Everything went as planned.
The Panthers improved to 13-6 in toppling JWP 69-57 at New Richland Monday, Jan. 18, downing Blue Earth Area at home Tuesday, and prevailing 75-54 at Bethlehem Academy Friday. They stretched their winning streak to five straight.
NRHEG 69, JWP 57
It was close for the first 12 minutes, but the Panthers broke a 21-all tie with a 10-point run and went into halftime leading 40-27.
“I didn't think we came out defensively the way we needed to,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We got beat off the dribble way too much. I felt we did some okay things against their zone when we were patient. If we attacked too quickly we turned it over, but if we swung the ball around a little bit we had some success.”The Panthers maintained a double-digit edge for most of the second half.
Oakley Baker led with 24 points. John Cole had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Benji Lundberg nine points, Sam Prigge nine points, Chad Agrimson eight points, Luke Overgaard two points, Jack Schultz two points.
The Bulldogs were led by Josh Janike’s 22 points.
NRHEG’s JV won 54-17.
NRHEG 61, Blue Earth Area 44
After a sluggish start, the Panthers handed the Bucs their 12th setback of the season.
“They play a half-court 1-3-1 to slow you down offensively, and I thought we played solid defense in the first half as well,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill.
Eventually NRHEG was able to put together a run and go into the half up nine, 27-18.
The Panthers pushed the lead to 15 with about 14 minutes left in the game and maintained it the rest of the way.
Lundberg paced the Panthers with 16 points, with Baker totaling 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Agrimson nine points and 10 rebounds. Also: Overgaard eight assists, Tyler Schlaak four points, Prigge four points, Schultz two points.
Bailey Olson scored 21 for BEA.
The JV defeated BEA 37-21.
NRHEG 75, Bethlehem Academy 54
The Panthers cruised to a win in a BA gym that was once one of the toughest places for opponents to play in Southern Minnesota, improving to 5-2 in conference play.
It was tight early, with NRHEG nursing an early 7-6 lead, but the Panthers extended it to 20-9 and held a double-digit advantage for the duration. They used a 6-0 run to put it out of reach.
Baker tallied 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
“He was in a real nice groove tonight offensively,” said Churchill.
Cole was also a force with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Others: Agrimson 13 points, Lundberg 10 points, Dempsey Tucker five points, Overgaard five assists.
Jack Clark led the Cardinals with 20 points.
“We had four kids reach double figures, which is a good number for us,” said Churchill.
The JV won 48-20.