Lights look to honor senior duo with big wins

Senior day is special at Montana State University-Northern. It's also emotional. But for Northern head coach Shawn Huse, the 2022 senior day is going to perhaps be even more so.

That's because, when the Lights (5-7, 17-10) take on Montana Western Saturday afternoon, they'll be honoring a pair of spectacular seniors in Mascio McCadney and David Harris. The dynamic duo starts their final two regular season home games tonight when the Lights host Rocky Mountain College at 7 in the Armory Gymnasium.

And when Northern honors McCadney and Harris, it will be a very special day, because they have been two very special players for the Lights, who, together, are averaging almost 40 points per game and who, together, chose to return to Northern for this special senior season.

"I cannot say enough good things about this guy (McCadney)," Huse said. "He has been a long ways from home for some time now and he has done nothing but bought in and represented us in a first-class manner. Especially considering the COVID hit that made things so tough and mundane compared to the normalcy we were all so used to. Mascio came back time and again each year and has been a consummate pro each and every day, both in the classroom and on the floor. He is definitely in the category of elite seniors we have had over the years. He is one I respect, will miss having as a Light, and will be so happy to call him a great friend of mine and Northern's as an alumni in the future.

"My story that sums it up for me is when he signed here with us," he continued. "He paused for a moment, before putting his pen to the offer papers, then pushed them aside. He proceeded to tell me in a very appreciative manner, and to the effect of just how much the scholarship and opportunity meant to him and his family both academically and as a basketball player (considering the state of the 'economic situation' in the area that he grew up in). As he went back to signing, it took everything I had to not break out in tears. Because of how he said it, and the character level I had heard from everything about him, I was hit with emotion as I knew he really truly meant it. He was coming here for all the right reasons that people should go for higher education, in my opinion. Very few young men at that age, whom I have offered in 20 years, have verbalized how much they appreciated their offer in such a sincere manner.

"David is another one of my all-time favorites whom I have the utmost respect for," he continued. "He truly is our 'team Mom,' an assistant coach on and off the floor, and someone I look forward to staying in touch with for years to come. An elite basketball player, David has really grown into one of the greatest leaders a coach could ever ask for. Always positive and upbeat, he is a guy that kids should really watch and pay attention to. I cannot think of one instance where I have had to tell him to get his chin up and keep going. He has a tremendous motor and knows how to effectively and exceptionally communicate with every person on the team, on campus, and/or in the community. He looks at the bright side of everything and literally never makes excuses for himself or his team. Never. He is always keeping himself and the squad looking at what they can control to make their situation and the team's situation better and more successful. And I literally mean always. Whether it's the weight room or film study or practice or study table, he is always in the mode of finding a way to get the job done, and with a great attitude - that is the way he lives and the messages he conveys.

"One small example of David being positively vocal and on top of everything, is on a night right after two big wins in Michigan early this year in preseason. I could hear the guys getting loud in a hotel room just down the hall from me. As soon as I walk into the hallway to see what was going on, I see David standing just outside their doorway. He proceeded to scold everyone from the hall in a positive, fun, 'motherly David way.' He then looked down at me and said 'Don't worry coach, I'll take care of this. These guys are just my light work.' It turned out they were only cheering at a football game on TV but needless to say, I never heard a peep from them the rest of the night. And not because they were scared of David, but because they knew he was right and he did it in his funny, effective, respectful, witty, clever 'David way.' I am 100% confident that anyone who has spent time around our team, would agree that you cannot put a price on leadership such as his."

When the ball is tipped up this week, the Lights will be locked in two very important games as they try to hold on to third place in the Frontier Conference, and earn a home game in the playoffs.

MSU-N just fell to RMC (4-8, 11-3) and Western (4-8, 15-12) two weeks ago on the road, and the Lights are short-handed, but they'll certainly be ready to battle when both tough teams come to town in what are huge conference games, as the Lights hold a one-game lead over both teams in the standings.

"Look no further than two and three weekends ago to see what a challenge these two teams are," Huse said. "We had intense battles with them that went to the wire. We just want to build off of how we played this past weekend and continue to grow as a team. It's funny how each week can bring about changes, so many things that need to be continued, and so many things that need to be improved. We will have to put our best foot forward in terms of execution on both ends of the court, if we are going to be successful come Thursday and Saturday."

The Lights take on the Battlin' Bears at home tonight at 7. Saturday's senior day game against Western tips off at 4 p.m.