The Hayfield boys basketball team opened their place in the Gopher Conference in strong fashion as they ended New-Richland-HEG’s 16-game conference winning streak with a 75-70 win over the Panthers (0-2 overall, 0-1 Gopher) in Hayfield Thursday.

Mason Tapp broke the 20-point mark for the fourth straight game as he scored 21 points for the Vikings (3-1 overall, 1-0 Gopher) and Luke Dudycha added 19 points.

“It was a great atmosphere for our first Gopher Conference game,” Hayfield head coach Chris Pack said.

NRHEG 28  42  —  70

Hayfield 35  40  —  75

Hayfield scoring: Mason Tapp 21; Luke Dudycha, 19; Patrick Towey 18; Isaac Matti, 7; Ethan Slaathaug, 5; Easton Frticher, 3; Jake Risius, 2; free throws: 73 percent (13-for-17)