Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot High senior Maggie Fricke (No. 2) searches the court for an opening in her first time back on the court since the previous season in the Majettes’ home game against the Williston Coyotes on Friday night, Jan 2.

Minot senior Maggie Fricke made her return to the court for the first time in over a year at home on Friday night, Jan. 2, as the Minot High Majettes basketball team faced an early-season test as they took on the Williston Coyotes. Friday was Fricke’s first time on the court since her junior year’s season ending injury that kept her from The Coyotes were 4-1 heading into their game in Minot, but the 6-0 Majettes were ready for them.

Minot has had one of the strongest seasons in the WDA so far, being one of only three teams remaining undefeated in conference and season play, and Friday’s game was no different. Though the first minute of the first half of the game remained scoreless, Minot freshman Sisi Stevick was able to secure a rebound from Williston and help put into motion the Majettes’ first points on the board. Stevick drove the ball back down the court and the Majettes passed the ball around, looking for an opening to take a short. The ball made its way to senior LeeLee Bell, who while guarded by two Williston players, was able to secure a fadeaway shot and kick-off the ball game.

Despite their dominant season thus far, the Majettes were struggling to find their rhythm in the early minutes of the first half, and the Coyotes were sure to keep the game close. The Coyotes were able to tie the game up at 9-9 with ten and a half minutes remaining in the half, but the Majettes were able to break away, giving themselves a five point lead at 15-10. The Coyotes worked their way back up to a close game at 17-16, but the Majettes took back their distance and kept it for the rest of the half. The first half ended with a Minot High lead at 27-21.

The Majettes were able to keep their late offensive momentum going as they returned from half-time, earning seven points before the first three minutes of the half while only allowing the Coyotes two. The Majettes were up as much as 16 points half way through the second half, and with less than five minutes remaining in the game, Minot was up 20 total points over the Coyotes. The Majettes led by as many as 29 points at 68-39 in the second half, their widest lead of the night, before the game ended with a Minot High victory at 70-45.

Minot High senior LeeLee Bell was the top scorer of the night for both the Majettes and the Coyotes, earning 29 total points for her team, more than the entirety of the Coyotes’ first half. Fricke, on her limited time back on the court, scored 15 points for the Majettes.

“It was nice, obviously, to see Fricke back out there again,” said Majettes head coach Jason Schwarz. “You see how smoothly things run when she gets out there on the court and we’re connected in all phases when she’s out there, there’s no question about that.”

The Majettes improved on the season at a still undefeated record of 7-0 and 3-0 in conference play. The Majettes are back at home next week on Tuesday, Jan. 6, as they take on Jamestown High School.