Froid Native Still Enjoys Game From Different View

Coaching Ranks

Froid native Morgan Mason is accustomed to competing on the basketball court. As a player for the Froid/Lake Red Hawks, she played a key role as the squad qualified for the state tournament three times.

“I had great teammates,” she pointed out about the honors earned by the Red Hawks.

The span included placing fourth at state in her junior season and third at state as a senior. She went on to play for MSU Northern in Havre.

Her new role, however, is on the sideline as she is serving her first year as Fairview’s head girls’ basketball coach. This is Mason’s second year teaching elementary physical education in Fairview.

She explains one element that attracted her to Fairview was the opportunity of coaching. She was assistant girls’ basketball coach last season and she also helped in the junior high basketball and volleyball programs.

In her first year in Fairview during the 2022-2023 season, Mason said it felt a little different going to coach against the Red Hawks in Medicine Lake.

“It was interesting seeing everybody that I knew in high school and coaching against coaches who coached me,” Mason said.

She added that she has received some assistance from coaches in the Froid/Lake area even though they might give her a little bit of a hard time coaching a past rival team. “They give you a little tease, but are really supportive,” Mason noted.

With Fairview moving to the Class B ranks this year, Mason said it has been an adjustment. After all, she was more familiar with players from District 2C schools.

“In Class C, you kind of see kids from elementary school on,” Mason explained. “This year, it’s like you have to re-scout the entire district.”

She is pleased with how the team has responded to the differences. “They have been doing really well, finding their rhythm. I’m always proud of them.”

She’s hopeful that her dedication to coaching can lead to similar post-season celebrations that she experienced when she played for the Froid/Lake Red Hawks.

Mason explained that experiences that she can share to her athletes have less to do about playing style and more about attitude. “It’s not about offense or defense but composure,” she said. As far as her own duties, Mason says her parents tell her that she yells too much during a game, but she points out that other coaches yell more than her.

“I pace and pace during the game. People make fun if my hair is going up and down,” Mason said.

Although it’s a different feeling that actually making a big play in a close contest, Mason said coaching certainly has its share of rewards.

“It’s hard when you can’t go out and do it,” Mason said. “But it’s so fun to see when they’re successful.”