NRHEG Boys Win Subsection Basketball Title, Will Play for State Trip Friday

The NRHEG boys basketball team won its first subsection title since 2006 with their 45-42 victory over Fairmont on Monday night at MSU-Mankato.

Three Panthers reached double figures in the low-scoring, defensive battle for the Section 2AA, south subsection championship. NRHEG also shutdown Walker Tordsen in the second half, holding him to just three points after he had led all scorers in the first half with 10 points.

Panthers post player Tyler Raimann scored 14 points and grabbed about nine rebounds. Reserve Benji Lundberg scored 12. Eight of those came in the second half and included the final two free throws of the game with 2.9 seconds left after a Panthers steal denied the Cardinals a chance at a game-winning shot in the closing seconds.

Oakley Baker added 10 points. Sam Prigge and Jason Jongbloedt each hit a three-pointer in the first half. NRHEG zipped ahead 8-1 to open the game. Farimont battled back for a brief 12-11 advantage.  The Panthers closed the half on an 11-7 run for a 29-23 lead at the break.

NRHEG scored the first basket of the second half, but Fairmont went on a 9-0 run to go ahead once again 32-31. The game was tied at 35 and 37. The Panthers went up 43-39 on a pair of field goals and free throws. The Cardinals' Brady Allen drilled a three to get Fairmont within a point 43-42. The Cardinals got the ball back with the chance at the dramatic finish only to lose it to the Panthers on the late steal.

The Panthers (27-2) will face Jordan in the Section 2AA final Friday night at 8PM at Bresnan Arena at MSU-Mankato. The Hubmen beat Glencoe-Silver Lake 77-59, according to the Minnesota State High School League. NRHEG has never gone to state.