MSU-N Basketball Preview: Skylights will continue to aim high

To say the last four seasons have been, for the Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team, anything but glorious would be putting it mildly. The Skylights have enjoyed a run of success many college programs only dream about.

Northern, under longtime head coach Chris Mouat, has gone to and won games at the NAIA national tournament for the last four years, including last season when the Skylights played for the Frontier Conference championship, then went to Billings and reached the NAIA Sweet 16.

In that stretch, they've also had multiple NAIA All-Americans, and numerous Frontier Conference awards.

Yes, there's no denying the run has been nothing short of spectacular.

But change is inevitable in basketball, and the 2017-18 Skylights are going to go through their share of changes. That's what happens when you lose three-time All-American and MSU-N all-time leading scorer Natalee Faupel, as well as proven veterans like Molly Kreycik, Sierra Richards (2017 AC) and Cydney Auzenne (2016 AC) in one graduation. Combined, that foursome accounted for 47 points and 21 rebounds per game during last year's 24-9 season, which resulted in a runner-up finish in the Frontier tournament, as well as a close loss to Vanguard University in the Sweet 16.

However, as much as the Skylights lost in the spring, Mouat, now in his 13th year at Northern, says expectations and goals remain unchanged. That's the nature of the beast when you have developed a program of excellence like he has with the Skylights.

"We did lose a lot," Mouat said. "In terms of experience in our program, points, rebounds, assists, defense, all of it. We have some huge holes to fill, and we're going to be realistic about that. But we also have great returning kids who have taken on great leadership roles with this team. We have 13 kids on this team who are embracing what it means to be a Skylight, on and off the court, and they are working hard to continue the success that this program has had, not just in my time, but for years, and years now."

The loss of Faupel is particularly glaring. She was a once-in-a-generation player who dominated the Frontier Conference, literally from her freshman season on. And overall, Northern must replace four starters, as well as a top reserve in Katie Fertterer, who left the program to concentrate on school full time.

But because of the great program Mouat has built, the cupboard is by no means bare. Senior Jacy Thompson (5-8) a former All-American, three-time All-Conference performer, and a past Frontier Defensive Player of the Year returns. And with a career average of 12 ppg, as well as still being an incredible lockdown defender, Thompson will be one of the focal points of the MSU-N squad this season.

Also back is senior Brandy Lambourne (5-5). The former Blue Pony has patiently waited and learned behind Kreycik for three seasons and is ready to step into a much bigger role as MSU-N's point guard. The return of junior Peyton Filius (5-6), another Blue Pony star, and sophomore Shiloh McCormick (5-9), who blossomed at the end of last season, will also be critical for the Skylights this winter, while getting back senior Kealani Sagapolu (5-11), who missed almost all of last year with a knee injury, is also a big plus for the Skylights moving forward.

"We've got a lot of experience and leadership in that group," Mouat said. "Kids that understand our program, have been in our program for a long time. Jacy is healthier than she has been in a long time. She battled through a lot of pain last year, and she has a lot more bounce in her step. Brandy has worked really hard on her game. She's stronger than she's ever been. I think Peyton and Shiloh have also really improved a ton in the offseason. They are going to have really big roles on this team, and they are both ready for those roles. And getting Kealani back is really big. She's worked really hard to come back from her injury, and she's really coming along. Having her back in the post will be big for us.

"But what really stands out with that group the most," Mouat continued. "Is their leadership. They do such a great job leading by example and through hard work. I'm really proud of all of them for that."

While Northern's key returners will be instrumental in helping the Skylights maintain their place among the Frontier's elite, new faces will also need to emerge. Northern brought in three junior college post players in Jessica Curl (6-1), Lily Hilderbrand (5-10) and Hazel Hill (6-1). Curl is an elite prospect, having averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game at Butte CC in California last year. Also adding to the post presence will be former Browning star Tiara Gilham (5-10), who transferred from UM-Western, and will be eligible to play in December.

"The junior college players we brought in, they all add depth to the post, which is something we needed," Mouat said. "They all have size, they can rebound and score on the block. Tiara is another really great addition to our program. I'm really looking forward to watching her play."

Gilham is also part of a five-member freshman class that represents the future of the Northern program. Havre High's Naomi Terry (5-5), Fairfield's Allix Goldhahn (5-9), Columbia Falls' Peyton Kehr (5-9) and Jillian Gilchrist (5-6), from Rupert, Idaho, make up the freshman class. And while Mouat still isn't set on who will play this season and who will redshirt, he's excited about the group as a whole.

"All of the true freshmen are doing a great job," Mouat said. "They all bring something to the table. They are a great group, and they are going to be a huge part of our future, and possibly the near future. I'm really excited about that entire group."

Up and down Northern's lineup, there's plenty to be excited about. But on both ends of the floor this season, the Skylights will have to learn on the go, and it will be a process, Mouat said, even calling it a slow process.

"Right now, it's a lot of learning and teaching," Mouat said. "Defensively, we have expectations of what we want to be. For some it's been an adjustment because a lot of them played only zone, and we play a lot of man. But we are again going to put a huge emphasis on defense and rebounding, that's always big for us.

"Offensively, again, it's a lot of teaching, and we have growing to do. We lost a ton of scoring, but we also have kids who have been in our program and know what we want to do. So again, it's a process, but I also think we have a chance to be a really good perimeter shooting team. This group shoots the three really well. And we have the players to get up and down the floor in transition. So those are things we'll really look to keep improving on. Again, it's all a process right now, and it's going to take time. It's even a slow process. But the kids are picking it all up and doing a great job. We haven't had what I would call one bad practice."

The learning and growing process will certainly be a tough one at times, given Northern's always difficult non-conference schedule. Mouat has always been a believer in challenging his teams with a tough non-conference slate, and this fall will be no different.

Early on, the Skylights will play rival Dickinson State twice, as well as a tough Northwest Washington team in Great Falls. GSAC member San Diego Christian also comes to Havre, while northern plays two exhibition games against NCAA DII's Colorado Mesa and Dixie State. And for good measure, the Skylights will round out November with a second straight trip to the Rotary Classic in Jackson, Tennessee, where they'll play two teams in the NAIA Top 25. MSU-N also plays Nueta Hidatsa and Salish Kootenai College in non-conference play, before rounding out the year with the Duck Inn Classic. That tournament includes a home game against NAIA powerhouse Our Lady of The Lake of Texas, which many predict to be one of the top teams in all of the NAIA.

So needless to say, this new-look Skylight team will be in the fire, well before Frontier play begins with home games against Rocky Mountain College and Carroll College, Dec. 1-2, and before league play starts for good Jan. 2 against the University of Providence.

"The schedule is tough," Mouat said. "There's a lot of games that are going to really show us where we're at and where we need to get to. The games against Dickinson State, San Diego Christian and the two exhibition games, those are all going to be extremely difficult games. And having Our Lady of Lake come to Havre, who might be the number one team in the country by then, that's a game we've really been looking forward to. That will be an exciting one for sure, and that one, plus the two games in Jackson (Tennessee), those will be great measuring sticks for us."

Indeed. Northern will get plenty of measuring stick games early on. And with such a new team, there will no doubt be growing pains. However, the Skylights under Mouat have built an incredible tradition of winning in, and out of, the Frontier Conference. They've finished in the top half of the league standings in each of the last five seasons, and have a chance to make it five straight trips to the national tournament, which will again be held in Billings this March. And while accomplishing any of that won't be easy, no one should be surprised if the Skylights do just that.

"There's a great tradition here," Mouat said. "And it started long before I got here. And our kids are learning what it means to be a Skylight, on the court, on campus and in the community. This team wants to have their spot in that tradition. So the expectations in that sense are still there. But where this team is different is, because we lost so much, they're going to have to go out and show people they can get it done, and that, despite the losses, we can continue to be where we want to be as a program.

"So for right now, our goals are to continue to grow, learn and play as well as we can play in the non-conference, and get as ready as we can for what will be another brutal year in the Frontier (Conference). Yes, we want to get back to Billings and accomplish all those things, but this process will take time, and we're going to be realistic about our goals but still have high expectations at the same time."