Sports from the week of February 13, 2002
TMB girls tied for 212 lead
The Panther girls' basketball returned from Prinsburg with a 62-36 win Thursday night.
The win improved Tracy/Milroy/Balaton to 12-7 on the year, 10-2 in the 212 Conference.
"We had more turnovers than I like to see but we did play good defense and we rebounded well," said Panther Coach Paul Soupir.
"We did a good job of getting the ball inside to our post players," observed Soupir. "And if we get good perimeter scoring it keeps the defense honest."
Thursday game in Renville has title implications
The 212 Conference race in girls' basketball is heating up.
ACGC and TMB are in first place with 10-2 records while YME and RCW are trailing with 9-3 and 8-4 records respectively.
RCW won over YME last Thursday when Michelle Knapper hit six three-point shots in a 64-58 win at Granite Falls. The Panthers travel to Renville Thursday in what will be a pivotal game.
"That will be a tough game for us,” said Panther Coach Paul Soupir. "It is always tough to win on the road in a strange gym.“
Knapper is the same girl who led the Jaguar comeback against TMB Jan. 11.
“We will have to contain her.”
The Jaguars lead the conference in team scoring. The Jaguars will also meet ACGC in the final game of the season on Feb. 19.
If the Panthers can win at Renville and if the Jaguars knock off ACGC, TMB would be in position to win the conference.
"We just need to do the things we are capable of and to play good defense," said Soupir.
Wrestling, wrestling everywhere
Short-handed Panthers ousted from team section tourney
The Panther wrestling team was ousted from the sectional team tournament in Winodm losing Fulda/Murray County Central 34-28
The match was even at 28-28 with the heavyweight match coming up. Panther freshman Mike Schreier came out very aggrssively and had his opponent with his shoulders to the mat for a count of two. However, the Rebel's Steinmetz got a reversal and a pin.
"Overall we wrestled very well," said Panther Coach Travis Christensen. "Giving up a forfeit at 130pounds lost it for us. Donald Strand is out with a bad elbow injury and our starting 189-pound wrestler didn't finish the season. You can't give up six points here and six points there and expect to win against formidable opponents. We had a chance to win when the score was 28-28 and Mike (Schreier) had his kid on his back but he got flipped over and pinned. Although he lost I liked Mike's attitude. He went out there very aggressively for a freshman."
Fulda/Murray County Central defeated Tracy/Milroy/Balaton in a dual wrestling meet at Tracy Thursday night by a score of 36-22. It was the 21st win for the Rebels out of 62 matches between the teams. The Panthers have won 41 of the matches and there has been one tie.
The Panthers were leading 19-18 in the meet when Erik Kathman recorded his 75th career win with a pin at 152 pounds. Kathman's win gave TMB the lead but they then lost three of the next four matches.
Pavilion hosts kid wrestlers
The Prairie Pavilion was filled with scores of youth wrestlers Friday night.
Josh Coyle, J.C. Dewitte, Bradley Schmidt, Brian Hagberg, Zach Campbell, Raymond Hagberg, Erik Cooreman, Luke Prairie, Keith Engelkes, Coltin Evans and Ryan Thooft captured first place trophies for the Panther team.
Caleb Christian, Reed Salmon, Brandon Engelkes, Brandon Schroeder, Kody Kirsh, Joe Ruppert, Alex Blegen, Andrew Deiter, Jordy Rolling and Chris Hansen finished second.
Austin Peterson, Tanner Michelson, Cody Christian, Matt Wakefield, Andrew Thooft, Mike Kern, Cody Schons finished third.
Tristen Dewitte, Jordan Schmidt, Kent Miller, Alex Soupir, Jared Towne, John Pool and Alex Jones were fourth.
The tourney marked the 13th year the event has been held at the Pavilion.
On Sunday, Feb. 10, at Truman, Minnesota Josh Coyle and Jordy Rolling both wrestled to second place finishes.
Jaguars get scare
The Panther boys' basketball team lost to Renville County West at Tracy Tuesday night by a score of53-48. The 53-48 loss dropped the Panthers to 2-18 and 1-11 in the 212 Conference.
"We played our best game of the year as far as a full game effort is concerned," said Panther Coach Jon Ruoff. "We failed in two areas. We got beat on the perimeter in one-on-one situations that led to penetration by the opponents and usually easy layups or free throws resulting from our fouls. We also failed to do a good job on the defensive boards."
Scott LaVoy led the Panther scoring with 14 points while Jake Peterreins had 11. The Panthers pulled down 25 rebounds ( LaVoy and Petereins 6 each, had 6 steals and committed only 9 turnovers. TMB made 16 of 41 field goal attempts for 39% shooting.
The Panther C squad lost to RCW 43-35 but the B squad won its game 48-41. Kyle Stibbe led the scoring with 14 points. He was followed by Ross Ladehoff with 12, Sean Kirk with 9, Anders Davidson with 7 and Bill Fedde with 6.