Panthers fall to Raiders in Section 2AA finals

MANKATO — Despite having everyone on the edge of their seats for two straight hours, the Panthers season came to an end Friday night.

The Norwood-Young America (26-3 overall, 10-0 Section 2AA North, 11-1 Minnesota River Conference) girls’ basketball team defeated NRHEG 67-56 Friday at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

After coming out of half-time down 30-24, NRHEG pushed during the second half. At one point the Raiders had a mere two-point lead after the Panthers went on a seven-point run behind two key rebounds from Hailey Schuller and a pair of three-pointers from Rachel Collins and Maddie Wagner

The loss brings NRHEG’s season record to  23-7 overall, 7-3 in Section 2AA South and 9-3 in the Gopher Conference.

Junior guards Maddie and Marnie Wagner led the Panthers’ offense with 20 points a piece. Guard Collins and center Kayley Camerer, also both juniors, each contributed eight points.

For seniors Emily Eder, Sophia Fischer and Schuller, it was a bittersweet ending to their high school basketball careers.

There is a positive outlook to next season, as NRHEG will have four of its five starters and nine of the 12 players on its roster returning.