Schultz: State Title Reaction

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls basketball captured their second straight state title, beating Kenyon Wanimingo 71-61 in the AA final at Williams Arena.

Interview with Coach John Schultz:

Minneapolis - The Panther girls basketball team is the state champion for the second straight season. Senior Carlie Wagner took over in the second half, scoring the first 21 points for her team after halftime. She ended up with 36 points after scoring just 10 in the first half but dished out five assists in the opening 18 minutes. Wagner broke her own record for points in a state tournament with 130, one more than last year. She set the career state tournament mark in the semifinals on Friday. Her career points total at state ended up at 371. Other scoring for NRHEG: Maddie Wagner 9 (plus 10 rebounds), Paige Overgaard 8, Jade Schultz 7, Marnie Wagner 7, Hannah Lundberg 4 (9 rebounds). Kenyon Wanimingo was led by Megan Quam's 22. Siri Swiggum had 11 and Audra Clark 10. The Knights finished the season at 31-2, with both losses to NRHEG (31-0). Box score.

The Panthers set a state tournament scoring record for total points in a state tournament, breaking a record set by Rochester Mayo in 1997 with the Miller twins.

All three Wagner sisters were named to the All-Tournament Team. It was the third honor for Carlie and second for Maddie.

It's the 4th state title for the communities of NRHEG, when you include the New Richland-Hartland football teams of 1976 and 1978. A Welcome Home was held on Saturday at NRHEG High School, with a fire truck parade as part of the festivities.

The Panthers graduate four seniors: Carlie Wagner, Jade Schultz, Paige Overgaard and Hannah Lundberg. Wagner and Schultz will both play for the UM Gophers next winter. Wagner finished as the #2 all-time leader scorer in Minnesota girls basketball history, and #1 all-time in state tournament scoring. Listen to the pre-tournament interviews.

The win was the 61st consecutive for NRHEG, which is the second longest in state girls basketball history, behind Fosston's 78 in a row from 1999-2002.

The NRHEG fans also had a reason to roar during halftime, as Jake Langlie of NRHEG was recognized as one of the Excel Award winners. Waseca's Paige Hildebrandt also drew a big cheer.