Putting the team first worked well for the Loboes last season and LaMoure/Litchville-Marion girls basketball coach Mitch Carlson is looking to do the same thing this season.
"We sort of gelled at the right time last year and played good team ball and ended up making the state tournament," Carlson said. "Everybody was willing to accept their role on the team to make our team successful."
The Loboes, the defending Region 3 champions, placed sixth at the 2019 Class B state tournament.
"Every year is a new challenge and this will be an interesting year because we have some talented girls, it just depends on how they fit into the framework of things."
The Loboes graduated three senior starters but return four players who saw extensive varsity time as sophomores. The Loboes have six returning juniors but no seniors.
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"We're looking for those girls to pick up their game a little bit more," Carlson said. "Molly Musland was our leading scorer last year, so we are looking for her to step up and expand on that role."
Musland did not hold back her sophomore season, averaging 14.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. The 5-foot-9 junior recorded 81 steals, five blocks and 67 assists while draining 50 shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
The Loboes' other returning starter, junior forward Mollie Robbins, will also be back to help head up the young and talented LLM squad. Carlson said Robbins sustained an ACL injury at the beginning of last season, but added that as the season progressed the junior picked up aggressiveness on both sides of the ball.
Nateal Rodin and Rose Wendel came off the bench for the Loboes as sophomores. Carlson said he is looking for the duo to step up and contribute more heavily in their junior campaigns.
"We do have some other girls who we are looking to step up and help out at the varsity level," Carlson said. "'We'll play seven or eight girls this year and hopefully things will pan out for them."
Carlson said he thinks the LLM 2020-21 team will be a balanced and deep squad. Carlson said if the team manages to gel and build team chemistry on the court the team's shooting percentage should be among the best in District 5.
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"We've just got to learn how to set each other up and play as a team to get those shots up but we do have some shooters on our team who can knock down some shots," Carlson said. "Looking for some good things this year on that."
From the stat books, it looks like the Loboes match up well with their district and region, but every team has areas that need work.
"One thing we are going to look to improve on is the team chemistry," Carlson said. "I wouldn't say it's a weakness but that's one thing when you have a new mix of girls together team chemistry is going to be a big factor of how we succeed this year."
Carlson added that the team's lack of senior leadership puts his six juniors in an interesting position. Carlson said in order to liken the chances of on-court success the third-year team members will have to become leaders a year early.
A lack of seniors isn't the only thing different for the Loboes, or any team in the state of North Dakota.
"It's going to be a different look this year," Carlson said. "We didn't do a lot of the stuff we do in the offseason just because of COVID going around. I think a lot of teams are in the same boat and it will be interesting to see how things pan out."
Even though the pandemic has the potential to threaten the Loboes' season and reroute the game of basketball, Carlson said he expects one thing is going to remain the same.
"Our region is going to be tough again this year, we've got some great teams," Carlson said. "In our district, I think Carrington and Oakes will be the two teams. Carrington has a quality program going and they are probably going to be the preseason favorite. Oakes will be up there also."
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Carlson said Linton/HMB and Kidder County will likely be the preseason favorites in District 6.
"As time develops I think we will be able to compete with those teams also," Carlson said. "I can see us being a factor."
