Sue Sitter/PCT Panthers basketball forward Mykell Heidlebaugh maneuvers around Allison Undlin of MLS in Rugby High School’s Charlie Hanneman Gym Dec. 21. The Panthers won the game 62-26.

Nothing builds confidence for a girls’ basketball team like an undefeated record. After a 62-26 win against the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Mavericks Dec. 21 at Rugby High’s Hanneman Gym, that’s exactly what the Rugby Panthers have.

The 6-0 Panthers took on the 6-0 Mavericks just before Christmas in their home gym crowded with boosters from Rugby and Renville-Bottineau County communities. Many Rugby fans wore colorful, ugly Christmas sweaters, some with flashing lights. Panthers Assistant Coach Jeremy Johnston wore a suit in a busy, red and green Christmas print, while Head Coach Jennifer Brossart wore a lime green sweater emblazoned with the face of The Grinch.

As the game began, the undefeated Mavericks posed a serious threat to the Panthers with top scorers Madison Moberg and Allison Undlin, their six-foot, four-inch center. Undlin scored first in the game, landing the first of three buckets for the first quarter in the first minute.

The Panthers answered with a methodical, patient approach Brossart said she’s taught them since summer.

That approach enabled forward Kendyl Hager to find the perfect opportunities to land a three-point shot and two baskets in the first quarter. Mykell Heidlebaugh, another forward, found opportunities to land three buckets and two free throws on a foul by MLS guard Lainey Schmidt. Forward Joey Wolf rounded out Rugby’s first quarter drive with a bucket of her own. The Panthers led 17-11 at the close of the first quarter and held the lead throughout the game.

The Panthers’ defense limited the Mavericks to six points in the second quarter. The Mavericks threatened again early on, thanks to two buckets from Undlin, which narrowed the Panthers lead to 17-15. The Panthers regrouped, methodically wearing the Mavericks down.

Brossart said she was “really happy” with Rugby’s work. “You’re never going to shut out (Undlin), but they made her shots difficult,” Brossart said.

The Panthers kept a limit on fouls as well, taking only one in the first half. Meanwhile, the Panthers doubled their first quarter points in the second quarter when guard Anna Johnson landed a three-point shot away from traffic and two buckets inside the lane. Guard Joran Jundt landed a shot and made two free throws after a foul by Emma Southam of the Mavericks. Forward Brooke Anderson moved around a pack of Mavericks to land a two-pointer as well.

The Panthers kept their defense strong in the second half, with six points in buckets and two in free throws by Wolf. Center Peyton Hauck stopped shot after shot by the Mavericks while putting four points on the board for Rugby. Johnson landed another three-pointer, while guard Mya Geisinger took the opportunity to land a bucket as well. The Panthers finished the third quarter with a 51-24 lead.

Rugby’s coaching staff returned Heidlebaugh to the floor after subbing in other players in the fourth quarter. She maneuvered through the MLS defense to score seven more points for the Panthers.

Undlin scored the only points for the Mavericks during the quarter when she landed a shot for two.

The stunned Mavericks left the court at the final buzzer with only 26 points scored in the game.

Brossart said patience and discipline would make a difference for the Panthers as the season went on. She said patience was “something we talked about this summer. I thought last year we put up a lot of shots we didn’t have to put up right away. We didn’t use the shot clock to our advantage. We have a very deep bench, so we have to be patient. We’ve got to be able to grind and wind down the other team defensively, too.”

“We’ve got a very good core group of girls who can handle the ball and possess the ball with some security. So, we’ve got to use that to our advantage,” Brossart added. “Our girls have done a really good job of that.”

“I’m also really happy with how they’re disciplined on defense. They’re not fouling. They’re not getting girls to the line. We’re not having clock stops so the other team’s putting points on the board,” Brossart noted. “At one point, it was 17-15 out there. The defense just started going to town.”

“I can’t say enough about our bench play,” Brossart added, noting players from the bench have given the Panthers the help they need at just the right time.

“They’re really coming out and giving us spot minutes,” Brossart said of the bench. “But, they’re not just giving us spot minutes; they’re producing out there. They’re giving us quality minutes and producing points, steals, rebounds, assists, so we’re really happy about how this year-end is shaping up going into 2022, but we’ve got a lot of basketball left to play.”

Brossart added, “I was really happy with Peyton Hauck’s defense out there. She was getting around her and getting deflections. And the more confidence we can get that girl, the better off we’re going to be by the end of the season.”

“We’re really encouraging these girls,” Brossart said. “They’re getting into the gym in their off time. They’ve been playing together for years. I tell you what, as a coach, sometimes it’s fun to just sit down and watch.”