NEW RICHLAND — New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball beat Randolph with flying colors on Friday 64-20.

All seven of NRHEG’s seniors had a chance to play on Senior Night, and six of them scored at least two points.

Matt Carlson and Tyler Sorenson led the Panthers to its win with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

“They have been our offensive spark all year, and it was no different tonight,” Panthers coach Pat Churchill said.

Carlson made a 3-pointer within the first 18 seconds of the game. Within 40 more seconds, Sorenson scored two points for the Panthers getting them off to a 5-0 start.

During the first six minutes of the game, Randolph’s Jake Dubbels scored the Rockets’ first four points. The Panthers held them to just those until the Rockets’ Bret Otte scored after another six minutes. Over those 12 minutes, the Panthers led with a score more than quadruple the Rockets, 29-6.

The Panthers kept their momentum going and scored 11 more points before halftime to Randolph’s five.

Carlson, Nic Mangskau and Sam Lundberg each made a 3-pointer during the half. Just as Carlson started the scoreboard, he made the last basket with five seconds remaining for a halftime score of 40-10.

It was like déjà vu in the second half as the Panthers went on 15-point run through to the last eight minutes of the game. It was then the Rockets slipped in a handful of points including a 3-pointer by Alex McKay with 1/10 second remaining. It didn’t phase the Panthers though because they outscored Randolph in the second half 24-10.

Churchill said the team prides themselves for only giving up 20 points, especially since they forced 30 turnovers.

 

NRHEG stats: Matt Carlson 17 points; Tyler Sorenson 16 points, 6 rebounds; Carter Tollefson 8 points, 5 rebounds; Nic Mangskau 7 points; Lucas Meyer 2 points; Pete Blowers 2 points and TJ Schiltiz 1 point.