On Tuesday, March 3rd, the New Ulm Eagles boys basketball team traveled to Mankato to face the Mankato West Scarlets for the first round of sections.

Coach Skoglund said the team had a great week of preparation by working on their offensive execution, their defensive traps, their full-court press, and tempo.

New Ulm started out strong when they got a good lead against the scarlets; however, this lead would not last long as the scarlets fought back. A starting junior, Levi Hopp, said the biggest challenge the team faced was losing the lead and having to come back from it.

The two teams were neck and neck, Mankato West having a 1-point lead, when Levi Hopp was fouled and made both free throws.

After this, New Ulm secured the win after two more fouls from Mankato West led to four more points from New Ulm, the final score being 56-61.

Levi Hopp said it felt “really good because it was an upset, and we don’t like Mankato West.”

“It came down to the last couple of possessions of us doing the right things both on the offensive end and the defensive end,” said assistant coach Skoglund.

The Eagles will now go on to their next section game against Mankato East.