North Q&A: Borstner leading young St. Francis

Melissa Borstner has been here before, playing for a St. Francis basketball team supposedly too young and inexperienced to enjoy much success.

As a freshman in 2006-07, she emerged as a scorer and helped the Saints win 17 games. This year, she is the only returning starter from a Class 4A state tournament-qualifying team. Though still a scorer (she entered this week averaging 18.7 points per game), Borstner is handling the ball more often this season.

"She sees the floor well and reads her teammates well," coach Jen Close said.

With Borstner at the controls, St. Francis entered this week 10-1. A showdown against North Suburban Conference rival and defending Class 3A state champion Totino-Grace (12-0) awaits Friday. The Saints travel to Fridley for the 7:15 p.m. tap.

Borstner spoke with staff writer David La Vaque about her team's strong start, young teammates taking on bigger roles and playing Totino-Grace.

Q  Does the 10-1 start to the season surprise you at all?

A  At the beginning it did. I thought for sure this would be a rebuilding year, and I wasn't expecting this much success right away. But now that we have played together and know each other better, it's not a surprise.

Q Was there a certain point where you changed your mind?

A  A few games in I thought we were all right, but beating Benilde-St. Margaret's [Dec. 19] was really where I thought we could be good this year. And even in our one loss to Maple Grove, I feel like we could've won if we played our games.

Q You are the only returning starter from last season's team. Talk about what you've seen from the new players so far.

A  From the beginning, they knew spots would be open to fill. And they all practiced hard because they knew that's what they needed to do. They'd love to go back to state and go through what we experienced last season.

Q Talk about some of the players and what they are bringing to the mix.

A Paige Mikkelson has really helped on the boards with her rebounding. Taylor Morrell has a nice outside shot. Jordan Falk and Jill Morrison have played great defense. And Kelsey Gale is a freshman seeing more playing time each game. She brings the ball up at times.

Q How have you been doing with your added responsibility of bringing up the ball?

A I never wanted to do it the past, actually. But I trained for it this summer at practices, open gyms and in private lessons. Breaking presses is OK because it's fast-paced, but I don't always like bringing it up on my own.

Q Talk about Friday's Totino-Grace game and the test it will be for your younger teammates.

A It's a huge game for us. We know it will be tough but we have to play our game and do what we can. We have to come ready to play. I know last year we were pretty nervous. It's going to be a tough defensive game. It will probably be a low-scoring game.