Northome/Kelliher battles No. 1 MIB as the lessons of last year carry forward

Dec. 22—KELLIHER — The Northome/Kelliher girls basketball team didn't want to experience a repeat of last year's Section 8A quarterfinal upset. So to prepare for that stage, the Mustangs went out and scheduled the best team in their class for the following regular season.

Thus, Northome/Kelliher hosted defending Class A state champion Mountain Iron-Buhl in Kelliher on Friday. This year, Rangers are once again elite, currently ranked as the top team in the class by Minnesota Scores.

Yet the Mustangs managed to trade the lead with MIB throughout the first half, matching each Rangers basket with one of their own. But in the second half, MIB's veteran presence shone through, and the Rangers separated to clinch an 81-70 victory.

So how did the Mustangs measure up against the best Class A team in the state? Northome/Kelliher head coach Kevin Waldo came away pleased with what he witnessed.

"We went into this not knowing what we were," Waldo said. "We were going to learn something about it either way, win or lose. We've played six games against some decent opponents, but nothing to test us like this game was going to.

"Our girls came out, we didn't get a few shots to fall in, a few breaks didn't go our way. But ultimately, they played hard. They played their game, they did what they were supposed to do. We lost to a really good team, but we're going to learn from it and we're going to get better from games like this."

The Mustangs entered Friday's matchup 6-0 this season. Facing MIB provided a valuable litmus test to determine what changes Northome/Kelliher wants to make to go toe-to-toe with the top teams in Section 8A.

"After last year, we tried to get more measuring-stick games," Waldo said. "We talked to our AD about getting some tougher games on our schedule, so this was one of them. If we just wanted wins, we could have left the teams on our schedule we had. We chose to play this game and wanted to play this game. They wanted to play us, and it was a good match all around."

Though the Mustangs didn't come out on top, they showcased their mettle in a stress test that revealed the depth of their resolve.

"As a team, if we put our minds to anything, if we hustle, if we celebrate when everyone scores, we can do anything, because those were the state champs," said sophomore point guard Kate Thayer.

A young core powers the Mustangs offense. Thayer keyed Northome/Kelliher's scoring on Friday, leading the team with 24 points. Four of the Mustangs' six scorers were sophomores.

With the experience of falling short in section play fresh in her mind, Thayer has been motivated to shepherd her team's growth while growing individually as a scorer and facilitator.

"I'm the point guard, so I try to create plays for others or choose the right thing to do to get us to score and for us to succeed as a team," she said. "... (I've been working on) my ball handling. I've been working on my shooting. I didn't really shoot the best tonight, but I've definitely been working on my shooting so I can do everything on the floor."

Northome/Kelliher entered last season's Section 8A Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East subsection. The Mustangs cruised in their opening-round game against eighth-seeded Win-E-Mac before falling in the subsection semifinal against fourth-seeded Cass Lake-Bena, a perennial section tournament contender.

Northome/Kelliher has never won a section championship in girls basketball. But with their precocious youngsters in tow, the Mustangs are endeavoring to play the sorts of games that will prepare them for the challenges they will face at sections.

"It's a nice thing to have, no doubt," said Waldo of his talented, youthful squad. "It's fun. Mentally, they still are growing. Their ability is beyond anybody, but a lot of it's the mental part and just getting them to believe in themselves and believe that this is a sport. It's fun. Just shoot the ball when you're open. Believe in your abilities. Do those things that God gave you the chance to do."

Regardless of what takes place the rest of the year, Northome/Kelliher has already accomplished a lot. The Mustangs went 25-3 last season and are off to a 6-1 start this year, and the surrounding community has responded in kind. The Kelliher High School Gymnasium was packed despite the game's unusual Friday afternoon start time.

The Mustangs have already provided many memories for their fans, and they're looking to make plenty more before the clock runs out on this season.

"I love that we're getting the community involved," Thayer said. "I love that they're coming and supporting our games. But I really just want to look back and say that that was (a special) team. Everyone loved each other and everyone worked together, and really, those were the days."

Mountain Iron-Buhl 81, Northome/Kelliher 70

MIB 42 39 — 81

NK 40 30 — 70

MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL — Neyens 21, Savela 18, Lira 15, Zubich 15, Warwas 6, Wiita 6.

NORTHOME/KELLIHER — K. Thayer 24, E. Thayer 15, Lundin 11, Binkley 8, Grundmeier 8, C. Hallstrom 4.