NRHEG 70, Belle Plaine 58

Published Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team put just couldn’t be stopped by Belle Plaine Tuesday night in New Richland.

The Panthers took it to the Tigers in a 70-58 win, despite giving up a 10 point first half lead and going down by three halfway through the second half.

“Our girls did a great job tonight,” coach Mindy Sparby said. “They really kept their composure against a good Belle Plaine team.”

Three NRHEG players scored in double figures against the Tigers. Kristina Cole led the team with 20 points and pulled down 16 rebounds. Point guard Alyssa Kerkhoff scored 13 points and Kate Quam came off the bench to score 10 points as the Panthers eventually cruised through the second half.

NRHEG got started slowly in the second half as the team went scoreless for nearly the first six minutes. Kerkhoff got into foul trouble early, but Jenna Brekke and Kelsey Christensen came off the bench to give the Panthers a lift when they needed it as Belle Plaine grabbed a three point lead at one point.

The Panthers host Blue Earth Saturday at 4:30 p.m.