Young Panthers get their footing at state

NRHEG girls basketball entered the 2024-25 Minnesota State High School League state tournament as the youngest team in Class AA and had a quick learning experience after finishing its trip winless in two games.

The Panthers were given the No. 8-seed and started their tournament with a matchup against the state’s No. 1-rated team, Providence Academy (29-0.)

The Lions proved to be the real deal by beating NRHEG 84-50.

“They were literally ranked No. 1 out of all four classes, so that’s a tough draw. Our girls knew this team was an extremely heavy hitter, but they didn’t back down. They kept going at them all night, and I thought that was huge,” said NRHEG Head Coach Onika Peterson.

NRHEG’s best stretch of the game actually came in the opening minutes when the team jumped out to a 9-4 lead and forced a Providence Academy timeout.

The Lions were showing obvious signs of frustration with NRHEG’s pressure defense, but the quick break in the action was all the opposition needed to formulate a game plan.

After the timeout, Providence Academy looked like a new side and began to punish every NRHEG mistake without fail.

The Panthers’ trio of Kylie Olson and Camryn and Quinn VanMaldeghem were in usual form running the team’s offense and scoring the bulk of the points, but the best player on the court was by far Providence Academy’s Maddyn Greenway.

NRHEG had no answers for the Kentucky women’s basketball commit as she went on to post a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

While NRHEG was able to limit its fouls better than in previous games, the team’s major self-inflicted wound was its turnovers.

Providence Academy’s full-court pressure caused the Panthers to cough the ball up 29 times – a season-worst mark.

Despite the loss, NRHEG was guaranteed one more game in the consolation bracket and drew No. 4 Sauk Centre.

The 27-3 Mainstreeters posed another difficult matchup for NRHEG, but the Panthers came out attacking.

Peterson’s squad was able to outscore Sauk Centre 39-36 in the first half to take a lead into halftime for the first time in the tournament.

The first half had Panthers fans feeling excited, but what unfolded in the second half left more to be desired.

The Mainstreeters’ defense found its form while NRHEG seemingly lost its shooting touch en route to being outscored 43-15 in the second half and ultimately losing 79-54.

NRHEG’s second loss marked the end of its tournament.

Providence Academy went on to win the Class AA title with an 81-63 win over Crosby-Ironton, while Sauk Centre was beaten 69-63 by Caledonia for fifth place.

With zero seniors on roster, NRHEG will hope to rebound next year with another run to state featuring a more experience roster.

“It’s one of those things where, obviously we’re hoping that all of our kids are buying in. We need to get in the weight room this summer. I think we’re an extremely tough team and we like to shove teams around, but once you get to state, everyone’s strong. We need to work on our lifts and our individual skills, but the nice part is that we have plenty of time to do that before next season,” said Peterson.

Player Stats

vs. Providence Academy

                                 P     R     A

Olson                        21    11    1

C. VanMaldeghem      16    4      2

Q. VanMaldeghem      10    10    3

C. Buendorf               2      1      0

Schlaak                     1      2      0