MSU-N Winter Sports Tab 2014

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Montana State University-Northern Winter Sports Schedules Lights Basketball November Nov. 7

Nov. 8

Nov. 10

Nov. 21

Nov. 22

vs. Portland Bible College Portland, OR - 7:00 pm vs. Warner Pacific College Portland, OR - 7:30 pm vs. Concordia University Portland, OR - 7:00 pm vs. Northwest Nazarene Nampa, ID - TBA vs. College of Idaho Caldwell, ID - TBA December

Dec. 18

Dec. 19

Dec. 20

Arizona Tournament (Concordia-Irvine) Phoenix, AZ - 3:00 pm Arizona Tournament (Cal-State San Marcos) Phoenix, AZ - 5:00 pm Arizona Tournament (MacEwan University) Phoenix, AZ - 4:00 pm January

Jan. 2

Jan. 3

Jan. 4

Jan. 9

vs. Augustana Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Augustana Havre, MT - 2:00 pm vs. Crossroads University Havre, MT - 4:00 pm vs. Montana Tech*

Jan. 10

Jan. 15

Jan. 17

Jan. 23

Jan. 24

Jan. 31

Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Helena, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College* Billings, MT - 7:30 pm vs. UM-Western* Havre, MT -8:00 pm vs. Westminster College* Havre, MT -8:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Great Falls, MT - 7:30 pm

Skylights Basketball November Nov. 7

Nov. 8

Nov. 14

Nov. 15

Nov. 28

December

February Feb. 5

Feb. 7

Feb. 13

Feb. 14

Feb. 19

Feb. 21

Feb. 28

vs. Lewis & Clark State* Lewiston, ID - 7:30 pm vs. Montana Tech* Butte, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. UM-Western* Dillon, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Westminster College* Salt Lake City, UT - 7:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm

* Denotes Conference Games

vs. San Deigo Christian Phoenix, AZ - 5:00 pm vs. Arizona Christian Unv. Phoenix, AZ - 7:30 pm vs. Corban University Great Falls, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Dakota Wesleyan Unv. Great Falls, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Valley City State Unv. Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

Dec. 4

Dec. 5

Dec. 6

Dec. 30

Dec. 31

Willamette University Salem, OR - 7:00 pm Multnomath Bible College Portland, OR - 7:00 pm Walla Walla University Walla Walla, WA - 6:30 pm Northwood University West Palm Beach, FL - TBA Cornerstone University West Palm Beach, FL - TBA January

Jan. 9

Jan. 10

Jan. 15

vs. Montana Tech* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Helena, MT - 5:30 pm

Jan. 17

Jan. 23

Jan. 24

Jan. 31

vs. Rocky Mountain College* Billings, MT - 5:30 pm vs. UM-Western* Havre, MT -6:00 pm vs. Westminster College* Havre, MT -6:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Great Falls, MT - 5:30 pm February

Feb. 5

Feb. 7

Feb. 13

Feb. 14

Feb. 19

Feb. 21

Feb. 28

vs. Lewis & Clark State* Lewiston, ID - 5:30 pm vs. Montana Tech* Butte, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. UM-Western* Dillon, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Westminster College* Salt Lake City, UT - 5:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

* Denotes Conference Games

Lights Wrestling January

November Nov. 1

Nov. 5

Nov. 6

Nov. 8

Nov. 13

Nov. 14

Nov. 22

Nov. 23

Trapper Open Powell, WY - 9:00 am vs. Northwest College Powell, WY - 7:00 pm vs. Western Wyoming CC Rock Springs, WY - 7:00 pm Cowboy Open Laramie, WY - 9:00 am vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Northwest College Havre, MT - 5:00 pm vs. North Idaho College Havre, MT - 7:00 pm Cardinal Duals Coeur d'Alene, ID - TBA Spokane Open Spokane, WA -9:00 am

December Dec. 5

Dec. 6

Dec. 18

Dec. 21

Battle of the Rockies Duals Great Falls, MT - TBA Battle of the Rockies Open Great Falls, MT - 9:00 am Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR - 7:00 pm Reno Tournament of Champs Reno, NV - All Day

Jan. 6

vs. Western Wyoming C.C.

Havre, MT 7:00 pm

Jan. 16

Missouri Valley College

Marshall, MO - All Day

Jan. 17

Missouri Valley College

Marshall, MO - All Day

Jan. 24

Tyler Plummer Classic

Dickinson, ND - All Day

Jan. 31

vs. Embry Riddle

Aeronautical University

Prescott, AZ - 7:00 pm February

Feb. 12

vs. University of Great Falls

Great Falls, MT - 7:30 pm

Feb. 21

West National Qualifying

Tournament

Havre, MT - 10:00 am March

March6-7 NAIA National

Championships

Topeka, KS - TBA

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New look, same goals for Lights

Northern grapplers will be an NAIA contender again this season George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com Under head coach Tyson Thivierge, the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team has risen back to the level that the program had grown so accustomed to. Now, the challenge is staying there.

The Lights begin the 2014-15 season this weekend and are fresh off of back-to-back third-place finishes at the NAIA national tournament. In both 2013 and 2014, the Lights brought home trophies from the national tournament, and though this year’s Northern squad will feature a bevy of new faces, Thivierge says the goals remain the same.

“We are going to be a younger team this year,” Thivierge, who begins his sixth season with the Lights said, “and we don’t have the roster numbers that some of the other top programs do, but we’re about quality, not quantity, and I feel like we have a lot of quality guys throughout our roster. So, once again, we expect big things from ourselves this season. Our goal is to win a national championship. That hasn’t changed and it won’t change.

The Lights have been in the hunt for that title the last two years, and with a loaded upper half of the lineup, there’s no reason to think they won’t be in the hunt again.

All-Americans Cameron Neiss and Mickey Cheff have moved on, as has one of the team’s

Havre Daily News/File Photo Toby Cheff and the Montana State University-Northern Lights have finished third in the NAIA in each of the last two seasons. And they're hoping for even bigger things this winter. emotional leaders the last three years, Kody Reed. But the Lights aren’t without firepower, especially in the upper weights.

Leading the way is three-time NAIA AllAmerican Ethan Hinebauch (165). He’s still chasing an elusive NAIA individual national championship, and he finished second at 165 last spring. Now, Hinebauch enters his senior season with one more chance to make history.

“I’m almost out of Hinebauch’s,” Thivierge joked. “It’s sad that it’s Ethan’s last year already. I just can’t say enough good things about him, as a wrestler, or as a person. He’s just an amazing kid and he’s going to do big things again this season.”

Next in the lineup is the return of fellow senior Jared Miller (174), who also reached the national championship match last spring.

After red-shirting two years ago, Miller has been one of Northern’s most consistent competitors, and he’ll be a force in the NAIA again this season.

“He’s another one, that I just can’t believe it’s his last year with us,” Thivierge said of Miller. “Jared has had a great run, and he’s got one more season to accomplish big things. And I know he will. He’s going to have a really big year.”

The Lights return two more All-Americans in junior Toby Cheff (HWT) and Garrett DeMers (197). For much of last season, the

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Lights: MSU-N men off to a solid start this fall ■ From Page 3 combined 70 games in their careers,” Huse said. “They’ve been on three different national tournament teams, and they have played in so many big, big games. They have already done a tremendous amount for this program, and we’re going to really lean on them this season.

We’re very fortunate to have two returning seniors like Corbin and Jesse.”

In all, the Lights return eight players who either suited up or red-shirted in the program a season ago.

Seniors Nick Blount (6-2) and Damian Robinson (6-3) return and should have a big impact for the Lights this season. Blount came on strong at the end of last season and was the Lights’ leading scorer at the national tournament, while Robinson was sidelined with injuries for much of last year, but his role will be critical to the Lights this season.

Also back for Northern is junior Pat Jensen (6-7). He’s Northern’s tallest player, and while his playing time has been limited the last two seasons, he figures to play a more prominent role this year. And red-shirt freshmen Dylan Tatarka (6-3) and Brett Thompson (6-3) will also see action for the Lights this coming season.

“Nick Blount is a guy who really gave us some great minutes last year, especially down the stretch,” Huse said, “And with a year under his belt, I think he’s going to have a great season. Damian just never got a chance to get going last year. And when he did, he got injured. So with him healthy, he’s going to be a big factor for us this season. And I think Dylan (Tatarka) and Brett (Thompson) are two guys that could see some floor time. They both had a really solid red-shirt year, and they have improved a lot.

“So we do have some experienced guys back,” Huse continued, “and that’s nice to have that because we also do have some newcomers. So it’s good to have the leadership we have to help those guys get acclimated with our program.”

Northern does have newcomers, and they are a talented bunch. Point guard Trevail Lee (5-9) will have an immediate impact for MSUN, on both ends of the floor. Add in a pair of dangerous shooting guards in Warren Edmonson (6-2) and Jermaine Graves (6-1) and the Lights have all of the makings of an extremely explosive backcourt.

“Those three guys bring a lot to the table, and they will have an immediate impact,” Huse said. “They bring quickness, shooting and defense to our backcourt. And they have the potential to be as good a group of newcomers as you’ll find at this level.”

The Lights also brought in 6-6 forward K.J. Rech, as well as 6-6 forward Nikola Ivanovic to go with freshman recruit Kevin Oberwesier of Drummond to round out the roster.

So, the Lights have a good mix of returning veterans and stars to go with a talented crop of new players, and as that mix comes together, Northern will strive and aspire to be what it’s always been under Huse, a team that plays unselfish, hard-nosed basketball and a team that’s built to win Frontier Conference basketball games.

Northern will once again hang its hat on defense after the Lights have led the conference in scoring and field goal defense in each of the last three seasons. A year ago, MSU-N allowed just 58 points per game, which was tops in the Frontier and fourth in the country.

Offensively, the Lights will continue to be a controlled and ball-sharing offense, where the

premium is on the best shot available in each possession, no matter where on the floor that shot is. Northern has consistently been one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the Frontier in Huse’s tenure and with the addition of some stellar new guards, and both Pearson and Vaughan being able to step out and knock down the lone-range shot, that should again be a strength for the Lights this winter.

“I think you have to play to your strengths,” Huse said. “And I already know this team will play hard and play smart every night.

Defense has been our trademark, and it will continue to be. And we will also continue to be a smart and controlled offensive team in the half court. We want to play unselfish basketball offensively and make sure we find the open man. That’s something we’ve done well in the past, and I think this team will do well this year.

“But, at the same time, we have other strengths and we will play to those as well,” he continued. “I think we have a lot of quickness on this team, and guys who can get up and down the floor and finish. So we want to make sure we turn long rebounds and long steals into transition baskets when we get those opportunities. But as a whole, this team will play traditional, Northern basketball.

They’ll play hard for 40 minutes every night, they’ll get after it on defense and they’ll give a great effort at both ends of the floor every game. That’s been what Northern basketball is all about, I feel this team certainly has those same traits.”

Of course, with all of the talent and experience the Lights have, there’s no doubt Huse will mold them into the type of team Northern fans are accustomed to seeing yearin-and-year out. But, with a newer team, and a tough non-conference schedule, it will definitely take the Lights some time to become what they aspire to be.

“We’ve played pretty well so far,” Huse said. “These guys have been working really hard. But there’s nothing that can take the place of game experience and we haven’t had that yet. So there will be some growing pains with this team. That’s just the way it is. You’re just not going to be able to avoid that every single year, and this team will have their share of those ups and downs. Having said that, I think we’ve proven that we can still get it done, even when we add some new players to the mix. And I don’t see any reason why this team can’t do the same.”

The Lights will get plenty of chances to figure things out and get those growing pains out of the way over the next few months. Frontier play won’t begin until Jan. 9-10 when the Lights host Montana Tech and Lewis-Clark State, but in the meantime, Northern will battle a slew of quality opponents, including five teams either ranked in the NAIA Top 25, or NCAA Division II opponents. Those tough opponents include, Warner Pacific and College of Idaho on the road in November, as well as games in Arizona against NAIA powers Concordia-Irvine and Cal-State San Marcos.

“I think this is as tough a non-conference schedule as we’ve faced here,” Huse said. “We play a lot of really quality teams, and a lot of them are on the road. So with a new team, a lot of new faces and the quality of our opponents, we’ve got our work cut out for us over the next couple of months.”

Indeed, the Lights do have their work cut out for them, but that’s nothing new. Northern

in preparation for what it will face during the Frontier season. And this year will be no different.

No matter who the opponent is, the Lights are excited to get things started. Huse is excited to get things starters, and he’s looking forward to seeing if the newest MSU-N basketball team can continue the tradition of excellence that has been built at MSU-N over the last two decades, and especially during Huse’s 13-year stay at Northern, in which he has become the school’s all-time winningest coach with 256 victories in 12 seasons. That puts Huse among the Top 20 winningest active coaches in all of NAIA basketball.

“It’s always exciting to start a new season,” Huse said. “And I’m really looking forward to this season. This team has great potential and I’m excited to see what they can do.”

The Lights have road trips to Oregon and Idaho this month, as well as a road trip to Arizona in December. Northern won't be back home until Jan. 2, and the Lights open Frontier Conference play Jan. 9 against Montana Tech and Jan. 10 against Lewis-Clark State, with both games being played at the Armory Gymnasium in Havre.

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Freshman Dylan Tatarka is one of the many new faces playing for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team this season. The Lights have a mix of returning veterans and talented newcomers on this year's a team, a team which was picked to finish third in the Frontier Conference after finishing second there a year ago.

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Wrestling: Northern still has plenty of big guns ■ From Page 2

Havre Daily News/File Photo Montana State University-Northern's Ethan Hinebauch, left, is already a three-time NAIA All-American. And in his last season with the Lights, Hinebauch is one of several MSU-N grapplers with NAIA national title hopes.

duo battled it out at 197 pounds, but DeMers for the 141-pound spot, a spot Neiss controlled will man the spot himself this season after the last two seasons. finishing fifth at the national tournament last “Beard was a match away from making it to spring. Cheff, when he returns from a pre- nationals last year,” Thivierge said. “So he’ll season injury, will move up to heavyweight, do well for us there. And Montes is a kid, he’s and Thivierge said it’s a move that will suit a spitting image of Cam (Neiss). He looks the part in every way. Now, he just needs some Cheff, as well as the team.

“Toby has always wanted to be a heavy- experience under his belt.” weight,” Thivierge said. “He’s accomplished At 149 pounds, Drew Randall and Logan a lot already, but I think he can be an abso- Foster could be in the lineup, Terry Mason lute force at the heavyweight spot. He’s been could see action at 157 pounds, and Chris working hard, getting bigger and stronger, Newport and Andrew Bartel might see some and with his style, he’ll be tough to handle. So mat time at 165 pounds. when we get him back from injury in Decem- “We don’t have as much depth or experience at the lower weights,” Thivierge said. “While ber, he’s going to have an immediate impact.

“And I think Garrett is going to be a force we’re pretty well-off in the upper weights. So to be reckoned with this season,” he contin- I’m not sure how that will translate as a dual ued. “He’s grown up so much, and he has team. We’ll have to see how the team comes so much confidence right now. He’s going to together as the season goes on. But I know we have the makings to be a very good tournahave a huge year.”

Northern also has three more grapplers ment team. And I know all of these guys are that should give the Lights a lethal tourna- going to work hard to get better and better, ment team in the upper weights. Sophomore each and every day.”

Jorrell Jones, a former Chinook state cham- The Lights’ schedule will also make them pion, is back for his second varsity season better. Northern begins the season with the after reaching the national tournament at usual swing through Wyoming, and then heavyweight last season. Together, Jones things get really interesting Nov. 13-14. On Nov. 13, the Lights host bitter and Cheff will give the Lights rival UGF for the first of two dumore firepower at the heavyals this season. The next night, weight spot than they’ve had Northern hosts Northwest Colin a long time. At 184 pounds, lege and North Idaho College in another former Chinook great, back-to-back duals.

Willie Miller will be the Lights’

As usual, the Lights will sole grappler there. Miller redalso wrestle in tough tournashirted for Northern two seaments like the Battle of the sons ago, and spent last year at Rockies, the Reno Tournament the Naval Academy. At 174, the of Champions, and a new tourLights will have a big 1-2 punch nament, the Missouri Valley as Cole McCarthur, a former Invite, and road duals against Ronan great, comes to Northern Southern Oregon and Embryafter two years at Northwest Riddle will be tough, too. MSUCollege in Wyoming. McCarthur N also faces UGF again Feb. 12 and Miller have had some great in Great Falls. matches against each other in Thivierge

But as tough as Northern’s the past, and now they will give schedule is, Thivierge says it’s the Lights a powerful 1-2 punch. all preparation for the postsea “Cole is a kid we recruited out of high school, and now we got him here,” son, a postseason that includes the West ReThivierge said, “and we’re really excited about gional in Havre Feb. 21. The NAIA national that. He and Jared (Miller) were 1-1 against tournament is set for March 6-7 in Topeka, each other last year, so that will be interest- Kansas. ing to see how that goes. But having Cole here And the regional and national tournament is what it’s all about for the Lights. makes us really deep at 174 again.”

The Lights don’t have as much experience “Every time we step on the mat, whether at the front end of their lineup, but they also it’s duals, or tournaments, it’s another chance aren’t short on talent. Red-shirt sophomore to prepare for the postseason,” Thivierge said.

Tommy Cooper will be the man now at 157 “It’s another opportunity to get better. And pounds, after Mickey Cheff decided to forgo that’s how we look at every season, we want his senior season. Cooper has performed well to get better every day and be ready for Febas a backup at 157 for the Lights, and Thiv- ruary and March. ierge said he expects him to step into the spot “On paper, to some, it might look like this might be a down year, or a rebuilding year for and do very well.

“It’s Tommy’s turn now,” he said. “He is us,” he continued. “And nationals will be tough very excited, and he looks great right now. again because Grand View will be very strong He’s wrestled well for us when we’ve put him again. But I think it will be closer than ever. in the dual lineup, and I think he’s ready for So our goals haven’t changed. We want to be national champions. Nobody probably thinks this challenge.”

Junior Riley Miller is back for the Lights at we can accomplish that this year, and that’s 125 pounds, and he’ll be Northern’s lone com- OK with us. But I know this team knows who petitor this season. Miller has had a strong they are and what they’re capable of, and they career for Northern, while sharing time at have no doubts. They know they are capable 125, but now the spot will be all his as talented of accomplishing everything they set out to do this season.”

Andrew Caballa will red-shirt this season.

At 133 pounds, junior Brenton Beard or The Lights open their season Nov. 1 at the freshman Justin Rodgers, or both, will hold Trapper Open in Powell, Wyoming. Northern is down the spot this season, while freshmen also in Wyoming this month for duals against Rainier Montes and Bradyn Rooks will battle Northwest College and Western Wyoming, as well as the Cowboy Open in Laramie.

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Lights look to continue hoops tradition George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com For the last four seasons in a row, and five out of the last six, the Montana State University-Northern men’s basketball team has been a fixture at the NAIA national men’s basketball tournament.

Put another way, the Lights, under the guidance of veteran head coach Shawn Huse, have been the model of consistency when it comes to Frontier Conference basketball. Northern has won 20 or more games eight straight times, and in addition to their continued trips to Kansas City for the national tournament, the Lights have finished in the top four or better in the final Frontier Conference standings nine straight times.

With a brand new season of MSU-N basketball underway, it’s business as usual for the Lights, who went 23-9 in 2013-14, finished second in the Frontier with an 11-5 record and reached the Frontier semifinals for the eighth straight time. The Lights’ season ended with a 71-63 loss to Freed-Hardeman in the first round of the national tournament.

But Northern’s season also ended with heavy losses to graduation, and though expectations are once again high in Havre this year, MSU-N must replace its entire backcourt, led by Alfie Miller, Roshawn West and Alan Brown, as well as forward Will Perry, who was as tenacious as they come in the paint.

“The nice thing is, we do have eight guys returning who have been in our program,” Huse said. “Those guys know how things work, they’ve all played in a lot of big games, and they’ve been through the things we’re about to go through. So that’s made practices go really well so far, and I think it’s helped the new guys out a lot.

“So while we are going to be a new team, a different team,” he continued, “we do have a lot of veteran guys and those guys have shown great leadership, and I think that’s going to help us grow together a lot faster. We have a lot of great leadership on this team, and that’s huge for us.”

And Northern will have a new look this season, but with some very familiar faces leading the way. While the Lights lost nearly 35 points per game in production between Miller, West and Perry, they do return two key seniors, both of whom have been shining bright for years.

Corbin Pearson (6-6) returns for his final campaign in a Lights’ uniform. Already, a twotime All-Conference performer, Pearson blossomed last season, averaging 13 points and six rebounds per contest. In conference play, Pearson has also always been at his very best.

Over the course of the last two seasons, Pearson has averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game in Frontier Conference games, and his play in February has always been critical to the Lights’ success.

Fellow senior Jesse Vaughan (6-5) is also back to start for a third straight season.

Vaughan averaged eight points and four rebounds per outing a year ago, and together, he and Pearson give the Lights two dynamic and versatile forwards, and a wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership.

“Those are two guys who have started a

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Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Senior Corbin Pearson and the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team have already begun the 2014-15 season. The Lights are looking to make their fifth straight trip to the NAIA national tournament.

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Talented Skylights aim even higher

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Skylights: MSU-N women loaded with talent â– From Page 4

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com The Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team has had plenty of quality seasons in the nine that Chris Mouat has been the head coach of the Skylights. But his ninth season was truly special.

The 2013-14 season was a banner one for the Skylights, who finished third in the Frontier Conference and were selected to play in the NAIA national tournament, then proceeded to reach the NAIA Sweet 16. In the land of women's NAIA basketball, it doesn't get a whole lot better than that.

And yet, as the Skylights begin a brand new season on the hardwood, it might just get better. Northern returns the bulk of its lineup from last year's national tournament team, and with a year of experience like the one the Skylights got last season, there is a real possibility that they can be an even better team this winter.

"Last year, we had a great run," said Mouat, who enters his 10th season at the helm of the Northern program. "The last three or four games we played, we played some really good basketball. And it was a lot of fun to see us go on the run we did.

"But that was last year," he continued. "And we are starting over. We do have the luxury of returning some very good and seasoned players. But we also lost some big pieces to that puzzle, especially on the offensive end. So we do have holes to fill, and that's easier said than done. So certainly, as we start the season, we have some challenges in front of us."

On a team that went 22-10 and finished third in the Frontier Conference (10-6), while losing to Lewis-Clark State in a double-overtime thriller in the Frontier semifinals, before beating Columbia of Missouri 56-55 and falling to eventual national champion Oklahoma City by three points in the Sweet 16, the Skylights do return a wealth of talent and experience.

But they'll also have to replace sharp-shooter Kassie Barta, and they won't have the services of all-around standout Rachelle Bennett, at least for a while. Bennett injured a knee at last year's national tournament, and her status for this season is still up in the air.

So indeed, Northern has some shoes to fill at the guard position, but the Skylights do return senior point guard Taylor Cummings, who will start and run the Northern show for the third straight season. Cummings (5-5) averaged eight points per game a year ago, while leading the Skylights in steals and assists. While Cummings is the lone true contributor returning on the perimeter, the Skylights return a formidable front line.

That front line starts with senior A'Jha Edwards (6-5). She was the Frontier Conference Newcomer of the Year a season ago, and her impact was felt, not only at Northern, but all across the conference. Edwards dominated in the paint during conference play, and finished an All-American season averaging a doubledouble, with 13 points and 11 rebounds per night. She also paced the Frontier Conference in blocks with 33, and was among the NAIA's best in rebounding, blocks and field goal percentage.

"It's not often you get a player like A'Jha," Mouat said. "She's a force for sure. She's got

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Montana State University-Northern's Jacy Thompson is one of several true freshman who will contribute for the Skylights this season.

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Natalee Faupel, right, and the Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team are already off to a big start in 2014. The Skylights are also hoping to return to the NAIA national tournament. size, she's got great hands, she's efficient around the basket and she is a game-changer on defense. But we're really fortunate, because we return three really strong post players, because Megan (Feldman) and Taybra (Teeters) were very good for us last season, too."

Both seniors, Feldman (6-1) and Teeters (6-0) will be key for the Skylights again this season. Feldman had a breakout junior year, averaging seven points and six rebounds per night, and both she and Teeters are excellent defenders on the low block.

Northern also returns a big weapon in sophomore Natalee Faupel (5-10). She can play several different positions, and proved to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses a year ago. As a true freshman last winter, Faupel averaged nine point and four rebounds per game, but down the stretch, she played like a veteran, averaging nearly 15 points per game over the course of MSU-N's final 10 contests.

And along with returning guards Molly Kreycik (5-6), who saw extensive playing time as a true freshman as well, and former Chinook star Taryn Norby (5-5), the Skylights have some serious young talent in the backcourt.

"We do have some seasoned returning players," Mouat said. "Even Natalee and Molly, they were big contributors for us as freshmen, so they have a lot of experience coming into this season. But again, we also have

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some holes to fill. We have some spots to fill on the perimeter, so that's one thing that will be big for us early in the season, seeing how those roles on this team unfold.

"But with all the players we do have back from last year's team," he continued. "We do have a good amount of experience and leadership. And that's a nice luxury to have."

Northern's not too distant future looks bright, too. MSU-N brought in a recruiting class packed with talent, including former Havre Blue Pony stars Peyton Filius and Brandy Lambourne, as well as four-time Class C Chinook All-State standout Makhayla Farmer. The class also included Class B star guard Jacy Tompson of Townsend, and threetime Class C state champion Katie Fetterer of Belt. Thompson, Lambourne and Farmer are not red-shirting this season.

But while all of those players figure to play a key role in MSU-N's future, the present is here, and Mouat expects the 2014-15 team to play as well, if not better than the Skylights of the past.

MSU-N plans on once again being very tough defensively, and that's coming off a season in which the Skylights led the NAIA in scoring defense, allowing just 53 points per game a year ago. The Skylights were also ranked third in the NAIA in rebounding and rebounding margin a season ago. Northern will be stout when guarding opponents, and as mentioned, Edwards can completely take over a game on the defensive end. Meanwhile, on offense, the Skylights will look to be efficient, both in the paint and on the perimeter, much like they were a season ago when they were among the Frontier leaders in field goal percentage and free-throw percentage.

"Our team defense is our biggest strength," Mouat said. "We led the country in points per game allowed last season, and that's a team thing. It's nice to have a player like A'Jha, who can limit a team to one shot, but our overall team defense has a chance to be very good again. And it starts with Taylor (Cummings) She's our engine on defense. She sparks us defensively, and we feed off of that. Not having Rachelle out there is a big loss because she's a great lockdown defender. So that hurts, but we do feel like we have the players to get back to that same level on defense.

"Offensively, we have enough returners that that transition has gone pretty smoothly so far," he continued. "So we're going to be similar to what we were last year on that end.

We've added some new wrinkles, but we are going to take advantage of our strengths and that's being an inside-out offense. We want to take advantage of our post players inside, but we also have good players on the perimeter, so I think we can be very balanced again."

While the Skylights will be extremely good this season, and are coming off one of the best seasons in the program's storied history, they certainly have battles to fight early on.

As usual, Mouat has put together another rigorous non-conference schedule. Between now and the start of conference play in January, the Skylights will play just three home games and 13 times on the road. MSU-N will face road challenges against the likes of the University of Lethbridge, Arizona Christian and Dakota Wesleyan, and the Skylights will travel all the way to Florida to battle a pair of tough teams in Northwood University and Cornerstone University.

Northern's few home games won't be a picnic either. MSU-N takes on Valley City State

Nov. 28. Frontier Conference play begins Jan. 9-10 with home games against Montana Tech and Lewis-Clark State, respectively.

"The road itself is going to be our biggest challenge," Mouat said. "Obviously, we play a lot of quality teams on the road, but just the amount of travel and time we're going to spend on the road in the non-conference season will really be a big test for us. We're playing a lot of quality opponents a long, long way from home.

"But that's the point," he continued. "We want to be tested. We want to be as ready as we can be for the Frontier, and this schedule will do that for us. We're going to see the gamut as far as teams and style of play is concerned. So this first few months is going to be a heck of a challenge."

There's no doubt the Skylights will be challenged, especially early on. But, there's a flip-side to that coin and that is, Northern is going to be a big challenge for anybody in the Skylights' way this season. MSU-N stormed its way into the postseason and to its first national tournament appearance in eight years last March. And with so much talent, experience and athleticism back this season, the Skylights, no matter who they play, will be a force to be reckoned with.

"I think the experience of last year was incredible," Mouat said. "We saw that we could compete on that stage (national tournament).

And once you've been there, you want to go back. And I know that this team has that goal in mind. But it's not our only goal. We want to play at home in the Frontier Conference tournament. That's big. The postseason really starts there, so in order to do that, we need to finish as one of the top teams in our conference. So that's a big goal of ours.

"I think we have the potential to be a very good team," he added. "It seems a little early to be playing games, but it's here now and we're excited to get started. We're excited to get out there and play those first few games and see where we're at. I know this team wants to accomplish great things this season, and now the season's here. This is what it's all about, and we're really looking forward to it."

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle MSU-Northern's Taylor Cummings, right, is one of the top point guards in the Frontier Conference.

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Talented Skylights aim even higher

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Skylights: MSU-N women loaded with talent â– From Page 4

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com The Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team has had plenty of quality seasons in the nine that Chris Mouat has been the head coach of the Skylights. But his ninth season was truly special.

The 2013-14 season was a banner one for the Skylights, who finished third in the Frontier Conference and were selected to play in the NAIA national tournament, then proceeded to reach the NAIA Sweet 16. In the land of women's NAIA basketball, it doesn't get a whole lot better than that.

And yet, as the Skylights begin a brand new season on the hardwood, it might just get better. Northern returns the bulk of its lineup from last year's national tournament team, and with a year of experience like the one the Skylights got last season, there is a real possibility that they can be an even better team this winter.

"Last year, we had a great run," said Mouat, who enters his 10th season at the helm of the Northern program. "The last three or four games we played, we played some really good basketball. And it was a lot of fun to see us go on the run we did.

"But that was last year," he continued. "And we are starting over. We do have the luxury of returning some very good and seasoned players. But we also lost some big pieces to that puzzle, especially on the offensive end. So we do have holes to fill, and that's easier said than done. So certainly, as we start the season, we have some challenges in front of us."

On a team that went 22-10 and finished third in the Frontier Conference (10-6), while losing to Lewis-Clark State in a double-overtime thriller in the Frontier semifinals, before beating Columbia of Missouri 56-55 and falling to eventual national champion Oklahoma City by three points in the Sweet 16, the Skylights do return a wealth of talent and experience.

But they'll also have to replace sharp-shooter Kassie Barta, and they won't have the services of all-around standout Rachelle Bennett, at least for a while. Bennett injured a knee at last year's national tournament, and her status for this season is still up in the air.

So indeed, Northern has some shoes to fill at the guard position, but the Skylights do return senior point guard Taylor Cummings, who will start and run the Northern show for the third straight season. Cummings (5-5) averaged eight points per game a year ago, while leading the Skylights in steals and assists. While Cummings is the lone true contributor returning on the perimeter, the Skylights return a formidable front line.

That front line starts with senior A'Jha Edwards (6-5). She was the Frontier Conference Newcomer of the Year a season ago, and her impact was felt, not only at Northern, but all across the conference. Edwards dominated in the paint during conference play, and finished an All-American season averaging a doubledouble, with 13 points and 11 rebounds per night. She also paced the Frontier Conference in blocks with 33, and was among the NAIA's best in rebounding, blocks and field goal percentage.

"It's not often you get a player like A'Jha," Mouat said. "She's a force for sure. She's got

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Montana State University-Northern's Jacy Thompson is one of several true freshman who will contribute for the Skylights this season.

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Natalee Faupel, right, and the Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team are already off to a big start in 2014. The Skylights are also hoping to return to the NAIA national tournament. size, she's got great hands, she's efficient around the basket and she is a game-changer on defense. But we're really fortunate, because we return three really strong post players, because Megan (Feldman) and Taybra (Teeters) were very good for us last season, too."

Both seniors, Feldman (6-1) and Teeters (6-0) will be key for the Skylights again this season. Feldman had a breakout junior year, averaging seven points and six rebounds per night, and both she and Teeters are excellent defenders on the low block.

Northern also returns a big weapon in sophomore Natalee Faupel (5-10). She can play several different positions, and proved to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses a year ago. As a true freshman last winter, Faupel averaged nine point and four rebounds per game, but down the stretch, she played like a veteran, averaging nearly 15 points per game over the course of MSU-N's final 10 contests.

And along with returning guards Molly Kreycik (5-6), who saw extensive playing time as a true freshman as well, and former Chinook star Taryn Norby (5-5), the Skylights have some serious young talent in the backcourt.

"We do have some seasoned returning players," Mouat said. "Even Natalee and Molly, they were big contributors for us as freshmen, so they have a lot of experience coming into this season. But again, we also have

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some holes to fill. We have some spots to fill on the perimeter, so that's one thing that will be big for us early in the season, seeing how those roles on this team unfold.

"But with all the players we do have back from last year's team," he continued. "We do have a good amount of experience and leadership. And that's a nice luxury to have."

Northern's not too distant future looks bright, too. MSU-N brought in a recruiting class packed with talent, including former Havre Blue Pony stars Peyton Filius and Brandy Lambourne, as well as four-time Class C Chinook All-State standout Makhayla Farmer. The class also included Class B star guard Jacy Tompson of Townsend, and threetime Class C state champion Katie Fetterer of Belt. Thompson, Lambourne and Farmer are not red-shirting this season.

But while all of those players figure to play a key role in MSU-N's future, the present is here, and Mouat expects the 2014-15 team to play as well, if not better than the Skylights of the past.

MSU-N plans on once again being very tough defensively, and that's coming off a season in which the Skylights led the NAIA in scoring defense, allowing just 53 points per game a year ago. The Skylights were also ranked third in the NAIA in rebounding and rebounding margin a season ago. Northern will be stout when guarding opponents, and as mentioned, Edwards can completely take over a game on the defensive end. Meanwhile, on offense, the Skylights will look to be efficient, both in the paint and on the perimeter, much like they were a season ago when they were among the Frontier leaders in field goal percentage and free-throw percentage.

"Our team defense is our biggest strength," Mouat said. "We led the country in points per game allowed last season, and that's a team thing. It's nice to have a player like A'Jha, who can limit a team to one shot, but our overall team defense has a chance to be very good again. And it starts with Taylor (Cummings) She's our engine on defense. She sparks us defensively, and we feed off of that. Not having Rachelle out there is a big loss because she's a great lockdown defender. So that hurts, but we do feel like we have the players to get back to that same level on defense.

"Offensively, we have enough returners that that transition has gone pretty smoothly so far," he continued. "So we're going to be similar to what we were last year on that end.

We've added some new wrinkles, but we are going to take advantage of our strengths and that's being an inside-out offense. We want to take advantage of our post players inside, but we also have good players on the perimeter, so I think we can be very balanced again."

While the Skylights will be extremely good this season, and are coming off one of the best seasons in the program's storied history, they certainly have battles to fight early on.

As usual, Mouat has put together another rigorous non-conference schedule. Between now and the start of conference play in January, the Skylights will play just three home games and 13 times on the road. MSU-N will face road challenges against the likes of the University of Lethbridge, Arizona Christian and Dakota Wesleyan, and the Skylights will travel all the way to Florida to battle a pair of tough teams in Northwood University and Cornerstone University.

Northern's few home games won't be a picnic either. MSU-N takes on Valley City State

Nov. 28. Frontier Conference play begins Jan. 9-10 with home games against Montana Tech and Lewis-Clark State, respectively.

"The road itself is going to be our biggest challenge," Mouat said. "Obviously, we play a lot of quality teams on the road, but just the amount of travel and time we're going to spend on the road in the non-conference season will really be a big test for us. We're playing a lot of quality opponents a long, long way from home.

"But that's the point," he continued. "We want to be tested. We want to be as ready as we can be for the Frontier, and this schedule will do that for us. We're going to see the gamut as far as teams and style of play is concerned. So this first few months is going to be a heck of a challenge."

There's no doubt the Skylights will be challenged, especially early on. But, there's a flip-side to that coin and that is, Northern is going to be a big challenge for anybody in the Skylights' way this season. MSU-N stormed its way into the postseason and to its first national tournament appearance in eight years last March. And with so much talent, experience and athleticism back this season, the Skylights, no matter who they play, will be a force to be reckoned with.

"I think the experience of last year was incredible," Mouat said. "We saw that we could compete on that stage (national tournament).

And once you've been there, you want to go back. And I know that this team has that goal in mind. But it's not our only goal. We want to play at home in the Frontier Conference tournament. That's big. The postseason really starts there, so in order to do that, we need to finish as one of the top teams in our conference. So that's a big goal of ours.

"I think we have the potential to be a very good team," he added. "It seems a little early to be playing games, but it's here now and we're excited to get started. We're excited to get out there and play those first few games and see where we're at. I know this team wants to accomplish great things this season, and now the season's here. This is what it's all about, and we're really looking forward to it."

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle MSU-Northern's Taylor Cummings, right, is one of the top point guards in the Frontier Conference.

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Wrestling: Northern still has plenty of big guns ■ From Page 2

Havre Daily News/File Photo Montana State University-Northern's Ethan Hinebauch, left, is already a three-time NAIA All-American. And in his last season with the Lights, Hinebauch is one of several MSU-N grapplers with NAIA national title hopes.

duo battled it out at 197 pounds, but DeMers for the 141-pound spot, a spot Neiss controlled will man the spot himself this season after the last two seasons. finishing fifth at the national tournament last “Beard was a match away from making it to spring. Cheff, when he returns from a pre- nationals last year,” Thivierge said. “So he’ll season injury, will move up to heavyweight, do well for us there. And Montes is a kid, he’s and Thivierge said it’s a move that will suit a spitting image of Cam (Neiss). He looks the part in every way. Now, he just needs some Cheff, as well as the team.

“Toby has always wanted to be a heavy- experience under his belt.” weight,” Thivierge said. “He’s accomplished At 149 pounds, Drew Randall and Logan a lot already, but I think he can be an abso- Foster could be in the lineup, Terry Mason lute force at the heavyweight spot. He’s been could see action at 157 pounds, and Chris working hard, getting bigger and stronger, Newport and Andrew Bartel might see some and with his style, he’ll be tough to handle. So mat time at 165 pounds. when we get him back from injury in Decem- “We don’t have as much depth or experience at the lower weights,” Thivierge said. “While ber, he’s going to have an immediate impact.

“And I think Garrett is going to be a force we’re pretty well-off in the upper weights. So to be reckoned with this season,” he contin- I’m not sure how that will translate as a dual ued. “He’s grown up so much, and he has team. We’ll have to see how the team comes so much confidence right now. He’s going to together as the season goes on. But I know we have the makings to be a very good tournahave a huge year.”

Northern also has three more grapplers ment team. And I know all of these guys are that should give the Lights a lethal tourna- going to work hard to get better and better, ment team in the upper weights. Sophomore each and every day.”

Jorrell Jones, a former Chinook state cham- The Lights’ schedule will also make them pion, is back for his second varsity season better. Northern begins the season with the after reaching the national tournament at usual swing through Wyoming, and then heavyweight last season. Together, Jones things get really interesting Nov. 13-14. On Nov. 13, the Lights host bitter and Cheff will give the Lights rival UGF for the first of two dumore firepower at the heavyals this season. The next night, weight spot than they’ve had Northern hosts Northwest Colin a long time. At 184 pounds, lege and North Idaho College in another former Chinook great, back-to-back duals.

Willie Miller will be the Lights’

As usual, the Lights will sole grappler there. Miller redalso wrestle in tough tournashirted for Northern two seaments like the Battle of the sons ago, and spent last year at Rockies, the Reno Tournament the Naval Academy. At 174, the of Champions, and a new tourLights will have a big 1-2 punch nament, the Missouri Valley as Cole McCarthur, a former Invite, and road duals against Ronan great, comes to Northern Southern Oregon and Embryafter two years at Northwest Riddle will be tough, too. MSUCollege in Wyoming. McCarthur N also faces UGF again Feb. 12 and Miller have had some great in Great Falls. matches against each other in Thivierge

But as tough as Northern’s the past, and now they will give schedule is, Thivierge says it’s the Lights a powerful 1-2 punch. all preparation for the postsea “Cole is a kid we recruited out of high school, and now we got him here,” son, a postseason that includes the West ReThivierge said, “and we’re really excited about gional in Havre Feb. 21. The NAIA national that. He and Jared (Miller) were 1-1 against tournament is set for March 6-7 in Topeka, each other last year, so that will be interest- Kansas. ing to see how that goes. But having Cole here And the regional and national tournament is what it’s all about for the Lights. makes us really deep at 174 again.”

The Lights don’t have as much experience “Every time we step on the mat, whether at the front end of their lineup, but they also it’s duals, or tournaments, it’s another chance aren’t short on talent. Red-shirt sophomore to prepare for the postseason,” Thivierge said.

Tommy Cooper will be the man now at 157 “It’s another opportunity to get better. And pounds, after Mickey Cheff decided to forgo that’s how we look at every season, we want his senior season. Cooper has performed well to get better every day and be ready for Febas a backup at 157 for the Lights, and Thiv- ruary and March. ierge said he expects him to step into the spot “On paper, to some, it might look like this might be a down year, or a rebuilding year for and do very well.

“It’s Tommy’s turn now,” he said. “He is us,” he continued. “And nationals will be tough very excited, and he looks great right now. again because Grand View will be very strong He’s wrestled well for us when we’ve put him again. But I think it will be closer than ever. in the dual lineup, and I think he’s ready for So our goals haven’t changed. We want to be national champions. Nobody probably thinks this challenge.”

Junior Riley Miller is back for the Lights at we can accomplish that this year, and that’s 125 pounds, and he’ll be Northern’s lone com- OK with us. But I know this team knows who petitor this season. Miller has had a strong they are and what they’re capable of, and they career for Northern, while sharing time at have no doubts. They know they are capable 125, but now the spot will be all his as talented of accomplishing everything they set out to do this season.”

Andrew Caballa will red-shirt this season.

At 133 pounds, junior Brenton Beard or The Lights open their season Nov. 1 at the freshman Justin Rodgers, or both, will hold Trapper Open in Powell, Wyoming. Northern is down the spot this season, while freshmen also in Wyoming this month for duals against Rainier Montes and Bradyn Rooks will battle Northwest College and Western Wyoming, as well as the Cowboy Open in Laramie.

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Lights look to continue hoops tradition George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com For the last four seasons in a row, and five out of the last six, the Montana State University-Northern men’s basketball team has been a fixture at the NAIA national men’s basketball tournament.

Put another way, the Lights, under the guidance of veteran head coach Shawn Huse, have been the model of consistency when it comes to Frontier Conference basketball. Northern has won 20 or more games eight straight times, and in addition to their continued trips to Kansas City for the national tournament, the Lights have finished in the top four or better in the final Frontier Conference standings nine straight times.

With a brand new season of MSU-N basketball underway, it’s business as usual for the Lights, who went 23-9 in 2013-14, finished second in the Frontier with an 11-5 record and reached the Frontier semifinals for the eighth straight time. The Lights’ season ended with a 71-63 loss to Freed-Hardeman in the first round of the national tournament.

But Northern’s season also ended with heavy losses to graduation, and though expectations are once again high in Havre this year, MSU-N must replace its entire backcourt, led by Alfie Miller, Roshawn West and Alan Brown, as well as forward Will Perry, who was as tenacious as they come in the paint.

“The nice thing is, we do have eight guys returning who have been in our program,” Huse said. “Those guys know how things work, they’ve all played in a lot of big games, and they’ve been through the things we’re about to go through. So that’s made practices go really well so far, and I think it’s helped the new guys out a lot.

“So while we are going to be a new team, a different team,” he continued, “we do have a lot of veteran guys and those guys have shown great leadership, and I think that’s going to help us grow together a lot faster. We have a lot of great leadership on this team, and that’s huge for us.”

And Northern will have a new look this season, but with some very familiar faces leading the way. While the Lights lost nearly 35 points per game in production between Miller, West and Perry, they do return two key seniors, both of whom have been shining bright for years.

Corbin Pearson (6-6) returns for his final campaign in a Lights’ uniform. Already, a twotime All-Conference performer, Pearson blossomed last season, averaging 13 points and six rebounds per contest. In conference play, Pearson has also always been at his very best.

Over the course of the last two seasons, Pearson has averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game in Frontier Conference games, and his play in February has always been critical to the Lights’ success.

Fellow senior Jesse Vaughan (6-5) is also back to start for a third straight season.

Vaughan averaged eight points and four rebounds per outing a year ago, and together, he and Pearson give the Lights two dynamic and versatile forwards, and a wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership.

“Those are two guys who have started a

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Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Senior Corbin Pearson and the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team have already begun the 2014-15 season. The Lights are looking to make their fifth straight trip to the NAIA national tournament.

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New look, same goals for Lights

Northern grapplers will be an NAIA contender again this season George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com Under head coach Tyson Thivierge, the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team has risen back to the level that the program had grown so accustomed to. Now, the challenge is staying there.

The Lights begin the 2014-15 season this weekend and are fresh off of back-to-back third-place finishes at the NAIA national tournament. In both 2013 and 2014, the Lights brought home trophies from the national tournament, and though this year’s Northern squad will feature a bevy of new faces, Thivierge says the goals remain the same.

“We are going to be a younger team this year,” Thivierge, who begins his sixth season with the Lights said, “and we don’t have the roster numbers that some of the other top programs do, but we’re about quality, not quantity, and I feel like we have a lot of quality guys throughout our roster. So, once again, we expect big things from ourselves this season. Our goal is to win a national championship. That hasn’t changed and it won’t change.

The Lights have been in the hunt for that title the last two years, and with a loaded upper half of the lineup, there’s no reason to think they won’t be in the hunt again.

All-Americans Cameron Neiss and Mickey Cheff have moved on, as has one of the team’s

Havre Daily News/File Photo Toby Cheff and the Montana State University-Northern Lights have finished third in the NAIA in each of the last two seasons. And they're hoping for even bigger things this winter. emotional leaders the last three years, Kody Reed. But the Lights aren’t without firepower, especially in the upper weights.

Leading the way is three-time NAIA AllAmerican Ethan Hinebauch (165). He’s still chasing an elusive NAIA individual national championship, and he finished second at 165 last spring. Now, Hinebauch enters his senior season with one more chance to make history.

“I’m almost out of Hinebauch’s,” Thivierge joked. “It’s sad that it’s Ethan’s last year already. I just can’t say enough good things about him, as a wrestler, or as a person. He’s just an amazing kid and he’s going to do big things again this season.”

Next in the lineup is the return of fellow senior Jared Miller (174), who also reached the national championship match last spring.

After red-shirting two years ago, Miller has been one of Northern’s most consistent competitors, and he’ll be a force in the NAIA again this season.

“He’s another one, that I just can’t believe it’s his last year with us,” Thivierge said of Miller. “Jared has had a great run, and he’s got one more season to accomplish big things. And I know he will. He’s going to have a really big year.”

The Lights return two more All-Americans in junior Toby Cheff (HWT) and Garrett DeMers (197). For much of last season, the

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Lights: MSU-N men off to a solid start this fall ■ From Page 3 combined 70 games in their careers,” Huse said. “They’ve been on three different national tournament teams, and they have played in so many big, big games. They have already done a tremendous amount for this program, and we’re going to really lean on them this season.

We’re very fortunate to have two returning seniors like Corbin and Jesse.”

In all, the Lights return eight players who either suited up or red-shirted in the program a season ago.

Seniors Nick Blount (6-2) and Damian Robinson (6-3) return and should have a big impact for the Lights this season. Blount came on strong at the end of last season and was the Lights’ leading scorer at the national tournament, while Robinson was sidelined with injuries for much of last year, but his role will be critical to the Lights this season.

Also back for Northern is junior Pat Jensen (6-7). He’s Northern’s tallest player, and while his playing time has been limited the last two seasons, he figures to play a more prominent role this year. And red-shirt freshmen Dylan Tatarka (6-3) and Brett Thompson (6-3) will also see action for the Lights this coming season.

“Nick Blount is a guy who really gave us some great minutes last year, especially down the stretch,” Huse said, “And with a year under his belt, I think he’s going to have a great season. Damian just never got a chance to get going last year. And when he did, he got injured. So with him healthy, he’s going to be a big factor for us this season. And I think Dylan (Tatarka) and Brett (Thompson) are two guys that could see some floor time. They both had a really solid red-shirt year, and they have improved a lot.

“So we do have some experienced guys back,” Huse continued, “and that’s nice to have that because we also do have some newcomers. So it’s good to have the leadership we have to help those guys get acclimated with our program.”

Northern does have newcomers, and they are a talented bunch. Point guard Trevail Lee (5-9) will have an immediate impact for MSUN, on both ends of the floor. Add in a pair of dangerous shooting guards in Warren Edmonson (6-2) and Jermaine Graves (6-1) and the Lights have all of the makings of an extremely explosive backcourt.

“Those three guys bring a lot to the table, and they will have an immediate impact,” Huse said. “They bring quickness, shooting and defense to our backcourt. And they have the potential to be as good a group of newcomers as you’ll find at this level.”

The Lights also brought in 6-6 forward K.J. Rech, as well as 6-6 forward Nikola Ivanovic to go with freshman recruit Kevin Oberwesier of Drummond to round out the roster.

So, the Lights have a good mix of returning veterans and stars to go with a talented crop of new players, and as that mix comes together, Northern will strive and aspire to be what it’s always been under Huse, a team that plays unselfish, hard-nosed basketball and a team that’s built to win Frontier Conference basketball games.

Northern will once again hang its hat on defense after the Lights have led the conference in scoring and field goal defense in each of the last three seasons. A year ago, MSU-N allowed just 58 points per game, which was tops in the Frontier and fourth in the country.

Offensively, the Lights will continue to be a controlled and ball-sharing offense, where the

premium is on the best shot available in each possession, no matter where on the floor that shot is. Northern has consistently been one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the Frontier in Huse’s tenure and with the addition of some stellar new guards, and both Pearson and Vaughan being able to step out and knock down the lone-range shot, that should again be a strength for the Lights this winter.

“I think you have to play to your strengths,” Huse said. “And I already know this team will play hard and play smart every night.

Defense has been our trademark, and it will continue to be. And we will also continue to be a smart and controlled offensive team in the half court. We want to play unselfish basketball offensively and make sure we find the open man. That’s something we’ve done well in the past, and I think this team will do well this year.

“But, at the same time, we have other strengths and we will play to those as well,” he continued. “I think we have a lot of quickness on this team, and guys who can get up and down the floor and finish. So we want to make sure we turn long rebounds and long steals into transition baskets when we get those opportunities. But as a whole, this team will play traditional, Northern basketball.

They’ll play hard for 40 minutes every night, they’ll get after it on defense and they’ll give a great effort at both ends of the floor every game. That’s been what Northern basketball is all about, I feel this team certainly has those same traits.”

Of course, with all of the talent and experience the Lights have, there’s no doubt Huse will mold them into the type of team Northern fans are accustomed to seeing yearin-and-year out. But, with a newer team, and a tough non-conference schedule, it will definitely take the Lights some time to become what they aspire to be.

“We’ve played pretty well so far,” Huse said. “These guys have been working really hard. But there’s nothing that can take the place of game experience and we haven’t had that yet. So there will be some growing pains with this team. That’s just the way it is. You’re just not going to be able to avoid that every single year, and this team will have their share of those ups and downs. Having said that, I think we’ve proven that we can still get it done, even when we add some new players to the mix. And I don’t see any reason why this team can’t do the same.”

The Lights will get plenty of chances to figure things out and get those growing pains out of the way over the next few months. Frontier play won’t begin until Jan. 9-10 when the Lights host Montana Tech and Lewis-Clark State, but in the meantime, Northern will battle a slew of quality opponents, including five teams either ranked in the NAIA Top 25, or NCAA Division II opponents. Those tough opponents include, Warner Pacific and College of Idaho on the road in November, as well as games in Arizona against NAIA powers Concordia-Irvine and Cal-State San Marcos.

“I think this is as tough a non-conference schedule as we’ve faced here,” Huse said. “We play a lot of really quality teams, and a lot of them are on the road. So with a new team, a lot of new faces and the quality of our opponents, we’ve got our work cut out for us over the next couple of months.”

Indeed, the Lights do have their work cut out for them, but that’s nothing new. Northern

in preparation for what it will face during the Frontier season. And this year will be no different.

No matter who the opponent is, the Lights are excited to get things started. Huse is excited to get things starters, and he’s looking forward to seeing if the newest MSU-N basketball team can continue the tradition of excellence that has been built at MSU-N over the last two decades, and especially during Huse’s 13-year stay at Northern, in which he has become the school’s all-time winningest coach with 256 victories in 12 seasons. That puts Huse among the Top 20 winningest active coaches in all of NAIA basketball.

“It’s always exciting to start a new season,” Huse said. “And I’m really looking forward to this season. This team has great potential and I’m excited to see what they can do.”

The Lights have road trips to Oregon and Idaho this month, as well as a road trip to Arizona in December. Northern won't be back home until Jan. 2, and the Lights open Frontier Conference play Jan. 9 against Montana Tech and Jan. 10 against Lewis-Clark State, with both games being played at the Armory Gymnasium in Havre.

Havre Daily News/Eric Seidle Freshman Dylan Tatarka is one of the many new faces playing for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team this season. The Lights have a mix of returning veterans and talented newcomers on this year's a team, a team which was picked to finish third in the Frontier Conference after finishing second there a year ago.

www.havredailynews.com

8

MSU-N

WINTER SPORTS

Oct. 2014

www.havredailynews.com

Montana State University-Northern Winter Sports Schedules Lights Basketball November Nov. 7

Nov. 8

Nov. 10

Nov. 21

Nov. 22

vs. Portland Bible College Portland, OR - 7:00 pm vs. Warner Pacific College Portland, OR - 7:30 pm vs. Concordia University Portland, OR - 7:00 pm vs. Northwest Nazarene Nampa, ID - TBA vs. College of Idaho Caldwell, ID - TBA December

Dec. 18

Dec. 19

Dec. 20

Arizona Tournament (Concordia-Irvine) Phoenix, AZ - 3:00 pm Arizona Tournament (Cal-State San Marcos) Phoenix, AZ - 5:00 pm Arizona Tournament (MacEwan University) Phoenix, AZ - 4:00 pm January

Jan. 2

Jan. 3

Jan. 4

Jan. 9

vs. Augustana Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Augustana Havre, MT - 2:00 pm vs. Crossroads University Havre, MT - 4:00 pm vs. Montana Tech*

Jan. 10

Jan. 15

Jan. 17

Jan. 23

Jan. 24

Jan. 31

Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Helena, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College* Billings, MT - 7:30 pm vs. UM-Western* Havre, MT -8:00 pm vs. Westminster College* Havre, MT -8:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Great Falls, MT - 7:30 pm

Skylights Basketball November Nov. 7

Nov. 8

Nov. 14

Nov. 15

Nov. 28

December

February Feb. 5

Feb. 7

Feb. 13

Feb. 14

Feb. 19

Feb. 21

Feb. 28

vs. Lewis & Clark State* Lewiston, ID - 7:30 pm vs. Montana Tech* Butte, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm vs. UM-Western* Dillon, MT - 7:30 pm vs. Westminster College* Salt Lake City, UT - 7:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Havre, MT - 8:00 pm

* Denotes Conference Games

vs. San Deigo Christian Phoenix, AZ - 5:00 pm vs. Arizona Christian Unv. Phoenix, AZ - 7:30 pm vs. Corban University Great Falls, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Dakota Wesleyan Unv. Great Falls, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Valley City State Unv. Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

Dec. 4

Dec. 5

Dec. 6

Dec. 30

Dec. 31

Willamette University Salem, OR - 7:00 pm Multnomath Bible College Portland, OR - 7:00 pm Walla Walla University Walla Walla, WA - 6:30 pm Northwood University West Palm Beach, FL - TBA Cornerstone University West Palm Beach, FL - TBA January

Jan. 9

Jan. 10

Jan. 15

vs. Montana Tech* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Lewis & Clark State* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Helena, MT - 5:30 pm

Jan. 17

Jan. 23

Jan. 24

Jan. 31

vs. Rocky Mountain College* Billings, MT - 5:30 pm vs. UM-Western* Havre, MT -6:00 pm vs. Westminster College* Havre, MT -6:00 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Great Falls, MT - 5:30 pm February

Feb. 5

Feb. 7

Feb. 13

Feb. 14

Feb. 19

Feb. 21

Feb. 28

vs. Lewis & Clark State* Lewiston, ID - 5:30 pm vs. Montana Tech* Butte, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Rocky Mountain College* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. Carroll College* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm vs. UM-Western* Dillon, MT - 5:30 pm vs. Westminster College* Salt Lake City, UT - 5:30 pm vs. University of Great Falls* Havre, MT - 6:00 pm

* Denotes Conference Games

Lights Wrestling January

November Nov. 1

Nov. 5

Nov. 6

Nov. 8

Nov. 13

Nov. 14

Nov. 22

Nov. 23

Trapper Open Powell, WY - 9:00 am vs. Northwest College Powell, WY - 7:00 pm vs. Western Wyoming CC Rock Springs, WY - 7:00 pm Cowboy Open Laramie, WY - 9:00 am vs. University of Great Falls Havre, MT - 7:00 pm vs. Northwest College Havre, MT - 5:00 pm vs. North Idaho College Havre, MT - 7:00 pm Cardinal Duals Coeur d'Alene, ID - TBA Spokane Open Spokane, WA -9:00 am

December Dec. 5

Dec. 6

Dec. 18

Dec. 21

Battle of the Rockies Duals Great Falls, MT - TBA Battle of the Rockies Open Great Falls, MT - 9:00 am Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR - 7:00 pm Reno Tournament of Champs Reno, NV - All Day

Jan. 6

vs. Western Wyoming C.C.

Havre, MT 7:00 pm

Jan. 16

Missouri Valley College

Marshall, MO - All Day

Jan. 17

Missouri Valley College

Marshall, MO - All Day

Jan. 24

Tyler Plummer Classic

Dickinson, ND - All Day

Jan. 31

vs. Embry Riddle

Aeronautical University

Prescott, AZ - 7:00 pm February

Feb. 12

vs. University of Great Falls

Great Falls, MT - 7:30 pm

Feb. 21

West National Qualifying

Tournament

Havre, MT - 10:00 am March

March6-7 NAIA National

Championships

Topeka, KS - TBA