On record pace

Published 7:16 am Friday, December 30, 2011

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva sophomore Carlie Wagner finished Thursday’s win over ninth-ranked St. Peter with 1,010 career points. She hit the scoring milestone just nine games into her sophomore season. -- Andrew Dyrdal/Albert Lea Tribune

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva’s Carlie Wagner scored her 1,000th career point on Thursday just nine games into her sophomore season.

Wagner was 17 points shy of milestone heading into the Panthers girls’ basketball teams matchup against St. Peter in the finals of the St. Peter Tournament. Wagner scored 27 points as the sixth-ranked Panthers romped the ninth-ranked Saints 70-44 for the championship.

Jade Schultz added 14 points on 3-pointers for NRHEG, and Anna Schlaak 11 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals.

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“We played a complete game,” Panthers coach John Schultz said. “Our whole team played well. Our defense created a lot of turnovers that cashed into points.”

The Panthers had 16 steals and forced 21 turnovers as it outscored the Saints 32-19 in the second half.

Raelin Schue scored nine points and notched a team-high three blocks, and Hannah Lundberg had six points, eight rebounds and six steals.

“Schue is playing much better now, which we expected to happen soon,” Schultz said. “The kids that are not scoring are doing so much on our defensive schemes. I’m very happy with our efforts as a team and people are playing their roles very well.”

Wagner was named Tournament MVP, and Jade Schultz earned All-Tournament Team honors.

Bemidji beat Faribault 46-36 to finish in the third place.

The Panthers (9-0) play again at 7:30 p.m. on Monday against Tri-City United in New Richland.