Norse News

The 20076-07 Norse advanced to the Minnesota Community College Conference State tournament for the 13th time in Coach Tom Stackpool’s 17 years.  The Norse finished the season with 17 wins despite a shortened roster.  "We took steps in the right direction," said Stackpool. "We had some issues throughout the year but we played some real good basketball in February."

Last year, lack of depth was a major factor in Mesabi’s challenge for a state championship.  Injuries, academics and discipline problems limited the Norse to seven players during the Minnesota Community College State Tournament.    Despite the short bench, the Norsemen upset #1 ranked Rochester Community College but lost in the semi-finals game at the buzzer to Central Lakes College.  Minneapolis size and bench proved too much for coach Stackpool’s team as they dropped the third place game and a chance to advance to the NJCAA Region 13 tournament. 

The 2007-08 has the added depth to make a run at the Northern Division Title. The return of three sophomores who led the Norse in scoring and rebounding will provide a good nucleus to build a championship around. Quentin “Qbar” Barfield will have the biggest impact on the men's basketball team. The sophomore averaged 16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg and shot 49 percent from the field. He is very difficult to guard as he can post up, shoot the 3 and create his own shot or set up a teammate.  Barfield was a 2007 All State and All Region selection as a freshman.  “Qbar is probably the toughest player in the MCCC to guard because he can score in a variety of ways or find the open teammate for a score” commented coach Stackpool.  Qbar is a pre-season All American candidate. Nevertheless, Qbar won't have to do it alone.  He will have outstanding help in fellow sophomores Ryan Ostendorf and Cory Mountain.  Ostendorf averaged 14 ppg and led the team with a 8.6 rpg and shot 58% from the field.  He is a tenacious rebounder and outworks his opposition each night.  Coach Stackpool loves the intensity that Ostendorf brings to the floor.  “Ryan sets our defense with his play in the paint.  We rely on him to clean up the missed shots and defend our opponent’s best post player.”  Cory Mountain maybe the best shooter in the MCCC this year.  The 6’4” guard averaged 12 ppg and shot 42% from behind the arc. He has tremendous range and puts added pressure on the opposition’s defense.  “Cory is the best shooter I have coached, he forces our opponents to extend their defense and the opens up other options for his teammates. He also gave us an extra spark off the bench” explained coach Stackpool.  Stackpool has great confidence in his sophomores to lead the Norse.  “Each of these guys presents something different for our team and in combination makes us better. Their games are as different as their personalities.” comments Stackpool.

Mesabi will have several key newcomers who will need to make an immediate impact for the Norse to contend for a Division Championship.  There are three new perimeter players on the Norse roster that will see extended minutes.  Deo Techer from Brule, WI., Tre’Von Taylor from Duluth, MN. and Andy Kochneff from Cloquet, MN will fill in for Mountain and Barfield.  Ben Kessens from Oak Forest, IL. will be expected to take over the point guard position.  Barfield will back up Kessons at the point giving the Norse added experience at the point.  Joe Jackson a late addition to the roster from the football team, looks to be able to add some athletic ability.  “I see some real positives with Joe but he is behind in his development with the late start.” says Stackpool.

The position that gives coach Stackpool the most concern is inside at the center spot. Ostendorf will move over to the power forward position to make room for two freshman post players.  Kyle Patillo, 6’6” post from Ecorse, MI and Brandon Goelz, 6’2” post from Milwaukee, WI. Patillo is a proven scorer in the post and will have to prove he can rebound and defend at the college level. Goelz is unproven but possesses great athletic ability and strength.  What he lacks in size he makes up for in strength and jumping ability. “These two freshmen post prospects give us the depth we lacked at the end of last season” says Stackpool. “An important key for our success is Brandon and Kyle being able to control the center position and allow Ryan more minutes at the power forward spot. That gives us three excellent rebounders on the floor at all times.”

The Norse offense has been extremely proficient over the years and usually finished in the top 20 in the nation.  But defensively the team struggled and was a point of emphasis in the off-season for Coach Stackpool. "We have to get better in our transition and one-on-one containment defense," said Stackpool. "We lose focus and it became too easy for teams to score last season. You win with defense. This team has to see the urgency to getting defensive stops and make it a priority, because good defense leads to scoring opportunities."
The Norse have another tough schedule with some of the top ranked teams in Minnesota on the early season schedule.  "I think you have to play top teams to show the team what it's like to be at that level, which is where we're trying to get," said Stackpool. "You have to show them what it takes to compete with the top Minnesota teams and how hard it is to win on the road. Our early season games will be a good indicator for this program and hopefully we'll have some success and give ourselves a boost."

A lot of things have to go right in order for a team to win a division title and contend for a state championship. The list of needs can be overwhelming at the start of the season if it isn't broken into more manageable pieces.
"We talk about being champions everyday.  We preach playing hard and playing with pride and playing together.  Each player must seize the moment and take advantage of the opportunities presented.  It starts with pre-season conditioning and goes on throughout the season," said Stackpool. "If we do that, we have a chance to contend."