Kilgore leads Stars to title

Last weekend was a big one for the Southwest Minnesota Stars. They defeated the Iowa Barnstormers in the event championship game giving the Stars an undefeated six game record in Sioux Falls at the Dakota Showcase, and Kyle Kilgore was named event MVP. In addition,Zach Huisken and Casey Schilling were named to the all-tournament team.

For Stars coach Ross Reitsma, one of the most important performances of the event came from the point guard position in the title game - and everything worked its way down from there.

"Ben Sanders, the point guard from Marshall, he had an outstanding championship game," Ross stated. "And Zach Huisken played so well defensively, he was such a difference maker. Also, Casey Schilling is just one of the best all-around competitors out there. I'm not exactly sure of the final score, but I think we won the championship by around 15 points."

The score was actually 72-56 and the Stars received 21 points from Ben Sanders, 14 from Kilgore, Schilling put up 13 and Huisken had ten.

The Stars seem to be peaking at the right time. A week prior they made it to the semi-finals of the Minnesota Showcase in Mankato before falling to Wear Out the Net and the dominating performance of Tyler Flack. A week later the group put things together and brought home a championship.

"Unselfish team play showed up big," Ross stated. "Mitch Weg, Jake Holt, Brett Bergeson, and Dalton Huisman all had good weekends.

"Zach was by far and away the defensive MVP of the tournament - he did it all. He shut down guards, rebounded well, and is a one-man fast break because he outlets the ball so well.

"Zach literally shut down a six-foot-one, six-foot-two shooting guard in the semi-finals for us in the second half. To see a big fella move that well was impressive."

Also very impressive was the tournament MVP - Kyle Kilgore.

"He did it all, both on the defensive end and offensive end," Ross stated. "He averaged 11 points per game for us, which isn't a lot, but he played big all around and always gave us the energy we needed at the right times.

"He lit up the gym throughout the six games, with 11 dunks, displaying his long and athletic frame. Kyle came up huge in the first half of the championship game, knocking down three consecutive three point field goals to help push us out to a ten point lead, then finishing the half up by ten."

The Stars are currently playing in Milwaukee in the Next Level Invitational and next week will play in Bloomington at the Best Buy Classic.