TAKING THE LEAD

One of the things to come about due to the pandemic is college athletes playing this season and not losing any eligibility. That stipulation started with the NCAA when spring sports were canceled last year, and has continued through the 2020-21 school year.

The NAIA also followed suit, and so, senior basketball players like Montana State University-Northern star tandem Mascio McCadney and David Harris can come back and play another year for the Lights next fall, which makes Northern's final two home games much different than normal.

In a normal year, this weekend's games between the Lights and the Montana Western Bulldogs would be a celebration, where, traditionally, Northern basketball honors host families and then, on the final night of the regular season, its seniors. But between the fact that no fans are allowed at Frontier games, and seniors retaining their eligibility if they so choose, this final weekend of the regular season will be very subdued, compared to what it normally is.

And yet, that doesn't mean it won't be special. Northern men's coach Shawn Huse said that both McCadney and Harris plan to return to Northern and play another season for the Lights next year, and if they do, among many things that should be different is that they will get to have a much more traditional senior night. But even if all of that comes to fruition, Huse still appreciates so much of what his two seniors have done for the team and the program through this very challenging season.

"Our leadership through this challenging COVID year has been fantastic," Huse said. "David and Mayo are always setting the examples with their hard work, effort, positive messages and continued reminders to the group."

Obviously, the duo has been huge for the Lights on the floor. They both average over 18 points per night, both are shooting better than 40 percent from the field, while Harris is Northern's top rebounder and McCadney recently joined the 1,000-point club.

Stats aside, though, they've all been invaluable to Huse for their leadership, not only through the COVID season, but also considering Northern has a much more inexperienced team this winter, with a plethora of newcomers and younger players. That, too, has made a big difference for the Lights, and that fact has not been lost on Huse, who is hoping his team can get two big wins against the Dawgs (4-9, 5-9) this weekend.

"If we are able to accomplish something special this year, it will be in large part because of the 'kickstart' they provide us each and every day," Huse said of McCadney and Harris. "They've been so fun to coach, and I really appreciate what they do for this team every day."

The Lights host the Bulldogs Saturday at 7 p.m. and again Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Armory Gymnasium. Northern wraps up the Frontier regular season with a pair of games at Rocky Mountain College next weekend. Fans can stream all Northern basketball games and sporting events this season at http://www.golightsgo.com.