Girls’ basketball team pulls off win after opponents’ 2nd-half rally

NEW RICHLAND — While at times it was close, the Panthers managed to keep their record perfect with another win.

The NRHEG girls’ basketball team (5-0 overall, 2-0 Gopher Conference) defeated Medford (0-5 overall, 0-2 Gopher Conference) 58-51 Friday in New Richland.

At one point, the Panthers led the Tigers by 19 points. For the most part, though, the game was closer than Panthers head coach Onika Peterson would’ve liked.

“We were able to make big runs throughout the game,” she said. “However, at times we got lackadaisical in our defense and they were able to hit some big shots and kept working their way back in.”

Junior guard Marnie Wagner led the Panthers’ offense with 19 points, followed by junior center Kayley Camerer with 13 points, junior guard Rachel Collins with 10 points and senior guard Hailey Schuller with nine points.

Guard Maddie Wagner led NRHEG with 14 rebounds, followed closely by twin sister Marnie Wagner with 12.

Peterson stressed the importance of the team playing consistently from start to finish.

“We need to make sure that we play to our full potential throughout the whole game and not just when the game is close,” she said.

Next, NRHEG will play at 7:30 p.m. Monday at St. Peter. St. Peter (5-2 overall, 2-1 Big South Conference) is coming off of a 67-47 win over Fairmont on Friday. NRHEG previously defeated Fairmont 62-52 Dec. 5.