BELLE PLAINE &045;&160;The NRHEG girls’ basketball team got its season off to a good start with a convincing victory over Belle Plaine, 67-48.

The Panthers were led by their big three of Alison Anderson, Brittany Hansen and Traci Nelson who combined to score 50 of the team’s total points on the night.

Anderson made a strong opening statement to her 2005-2006 season with 23 points, seven assists, five steals and four rebounds to lead the team.

Hansen had 15 points and five steals and Nelson added 12 points, five rebounds, five steals and five assists.

&8220;Alison shot very well and did a little of everything for us tonight,&8221; said Panther head coach Mindy Sparby.

&8220;Brittany did a great job in transition and Traci is being asked to play more inside

this year and she really hustled tonight.&8221;

The Panthers played well in the first half, but Belle Plaine was still very much in the game at 32-25.

However, NRHEG was able to balloon its lead to 15 points in the first five minutes of the second half to take control from there.

&8220;We did some nice things in the transition game and the kids hustled so I was pleased with many of the things I saw for our first game of the season,&8221; said Sparby.

Playing 18 minute halves for the first time was a bit of an adjustment for the Panthers, but they showed the ability to finish strong with 35 second half points.

NRHEG 67, Belle Plaine 48

NRHEG &045;Alison Anderson 23, Brittany Hansen 15, Traci Nelson 12, Jasmine Brouwers 7, Kyree Wobdrock 5, Onika Peterseon, Cassie Davis 2.