Panther Girls Close Basketball Season with Consolation Title at State
New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva wrapped up the basketball season by beating Rochester Lourdes 73-57 in the Class AA consolation final Friday afternoon.
The Panther girls played a tight first half with the taller Eagles. The teams were tied at 29-29 when NRHEG closed the half on a 9-0 run for a 38-29 lead at the break. NRHEG opened the second half with a 10-1 burst to extend the lead to 49-30 and were not threatened again in the game held at Concordia University of St. Paul.
NRHEG's Betsy Schoenrock led all scorers with 20 points and hauled in nine rebounds, according to the Minnesota State High School League stats. The Wagner twins each scored 15 points. Maddie also had 13 rebounds and five assists. Marnie added nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Kayley Camerer scored 12 to go along with six rebounds. Rachel Collins had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Lourdes was led by Alyssa Ustby with 18 points and eight boards. Megan Hobday had 14.
Six seniors on the NRHEG (27-6) roster include Johns, Maddie Wagner, Marnie Wagner, Camerer, Collins and Gretchen Ramaker, who has been sidelined by injury most of the season. After receiving their consolation title plaque, the Panthers traveled to Mankato to cheer the Panther boys to their first section title, 65-64 over Jordan.
In the Class AA finals, Roseau and Sauk Centre play Saturday at 2PM. Championship Saturday at Williams Arena begins with the Class A title game between Mountain Iron-Buhl and Goodhue on KDHL AM 920. In the evening session, Winona and Orono battle for the Class AAA title and Elk River and Hopkins square off in Class AAAA.