Maz twins head to Rocky Mountain College

When it comes to athletics and life in general, Morgan and Tori Mazurkiewicz have always been inseparable. That's why it shouldn't shock anyone that the talented twins have decided to pursue their careers of college basketball how they have many other things - together.

That's because after successful stints playing girls basketball for the Havre Blue Ponies, both Morgan and Tori Mazurkiewicz signed NAIA national letters of intent to play for Rocky Mountain College of the Frontier Conference next season.

"It's really exciting, especially because we are going to the same school," Morgan Mazurkiewicz said. "Since Tori's season was cut short, it's really cool that we will be going to the same place and will have the chance to play with each other again."

Tori Mazurkiewciz, who along with her sister was a key member of a team that made it to the Class A state tournament this past season, missed part of her senior year due to injury before making a valiant comeback and playing all three games at state. But now, after thinking she might not play again, she is relishing the chance to get back on the court.

"I am really excited," Tori Mazurkiewicz said. "I didn't get to play as much as I wanted to last year and I'm glad that I'm going get the chance to play again."

While Tori Mazurkiewicz had her season cut short due to injury, Morgan Mazurkiewicz put together one of the better individual seasons in the recent history of Havre girls basketball, leading the Central A conference in scoring with an average of 16.1 points per game. She was also ranked third in the state in scoring and proved to be one of the best all-around players in Class A. Her strong play not only earned her a spot on the Central A All-Conference team but also Class A All-State honors as well.

Yet, Tori Mazurkiewicz was also having a strong campaign before she was injured and in seven games, she averaged 3.7 ppg to go along with two rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. And even though she may not have scored as many points as her sister, she played tenacious defense and was good enough in her limited action to receive an honorable mention on the Central A All-Conference team.

After playing together with the Ponies at the varsity level for multiple seasons and being part of the 2014 state championship team, both Morgan and Tori were faced with the possibility of parting ways after high school to attend college. But thankfully, the opportunity for both to play basketball and pursue their education at RMC was available and the twins pounced on it.

"It seemed like it was the total package," Morgan Mazurkiewicz said. "Rocky has some medical things that we are looking into so that was cool. And I was kind of nervous about separating, so it will be nice to have someone to share those college experiences with and to have someone by your side to help you out.

"I am excited that we will get to wait a few more years before we actually have to separate," added Tori Mazurkiewicz.

Tori Mazurkiewicz also noted that she will soon be close to 100 percent and ready to take on physical contact. She said she can do any kind of physical activity that she wants right now, with physical contact being the lone exception and that clearance should come in a couple of weeks.

Both Mazurkiewicz twins, who each ran cross country and played softball as well for the Ponies, will leave HHS having accomplished a lot, both on the field and in the classroom. And now they will get to continue that journey and thankfully, for now at least, they will be fortunate enough to continue it together.