Jade Schultz scores 1,000th career point

NEW RICHLAND — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team earned a 68-39 Gopher Conference win over United South Central on Friday.

On the first shot of the game, NRHEG’s Carlie Wagner drained a three-pointer to give the Panthers their first lead. They never trailed.

After the Panthers pushed their advantage to eight points (10-2), a jumpshot by Taylor Schultz of USC cut the Rebels’ deficit back to six.

NRHEG extended its lead to nine-points on a 3-pointer by Jade Schultz. The basket was a milestone, as she reached 1,000 career points.

A timeout was called, and Jade was given a hug and handed a commemorative basketball by NRHEG head coach John Schultz

“It’s a monkey off her back,” John Schultz said. “I probably wouldn’t have hugged another player, but she’s my daughter.”

Jade Schultz scored again on the game’s next possession to give the Panthers their first double-digit lead of the game (15-4).

NRHEG built its lead to 20 points (34-14), but USC cut it back to 17 points at the half with the outside shooting of Tara Bauman and strong inside play by Amanda Allis.

“We depend on Amanda for a lot because of her experience and her height inside,” USC head coach Stu Hendrickson said. “She’s kind-of our go-to player right now.”

In the second half, the Panthers continued the process of creating turnovers, running on fast breaks and finishing at the rim.

“We really harp on our kids that when our opponents get a shot, we need to get the rebound,” John Schultz said. “That defense will lead to a fast break, and they get pretty creative.”

Wagner led all scorers with 30 points, while also leading the Panthers with six steals and six assists.

“Carley was a little cold,” John Schultz said with a smile. “There are nights where she’ll shoot 60, 70 percent. But, obviously, she played well like she always does.”

Coach Schultz also mentioned he liked the hustle he saw from Paige Overgaard who led NRHEG on the glass with 10 rebounds.

Jade Schultz added 21 points and seven rebounds. She only needed six points to break 1,000 points before the game started.

Despite being down a few starters, two Rebels scored in double digits: Allis and Taylor Schultz.

Allis led USC with 13 points and 10 rebounds (a double-double), while Taylor Schultz added 11 points and four rebounds.

The Rebels have lost one starter for the season due to injury, one with a concussion and a third was playing with the flu.

“We were short handed,” Hendrickson said. “It is what it is.”

The Panthers have won 14 straight games, dating back to Dec. 14. They are ranked No. 2 in Class 2A polls with a record of 16-1 and a perfect mark in their conference and section.

USC lost its second straight game to fall back to .500 on the season with a record of 8-8. The Rebels are 4-4 in their section and 4-4 in conference play.

Next, NRHEG plays at Bethlehem Academy and USC hosts Randolph.

Both games tip off at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.