Kline, Mirgon, Evans help lift Berne Union to greater heights
SUGAR GROVE — When Matt Little took over as coach of the Berne Union girls basketball team four years ago, he knew he had some talented freshmen coming in with Sophia Kline, Baylee Mirgon and Abbi Evans.
Adding them to what was already there, including Bella Kline, who would go on to become the school's all-time leading scorer, and Emily Blevins, Little knew the potential was there to create some magic.
However, not even Little could have envisioned what would take place during the next four seasons.
That dynamic trio of Kline, Mirgon and Evans burst onto the scene as freshmen and their impact was felt immediately as they helped guide the Lady Rockets to their first-ever Mid-state League-cardinal Division championship and the school's first district title. All three started from day one, and they haven't slowed down since.
With Kline, Mirgon and Evans in the lineup, Berne Union is 90-10 during the past four years and has won four connective league championships and three straight district titles.
This year, Berne Union finished the regular season with a 22-0 record. The Rockets are ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press state poll for Division IV.
“From day one, they came in, not only with talent but the work ethic, great attitude about basketball with the will it took to do whatever it takes to win,” Little said. “Those roles have changed since their freshman year when they weren't counted on to score to now, being the three main leaders of our team. What this senior class has accomplished with 90 wins and counting over the last four years is an incredible accomplishment.”
Kline is the team's leading scorer and rebounder. Mirgon was used mainly as a defensive specialist, often shutting down the opponent's best offensive player, but this season she stepped up her game offensively, going from averaging 7 points per game to 16. Evans is the glue. She is the point guard and handles the ball against any pressure teams might throw at her, and her onball defensive pressure disrupts opposing offenses.
They have been playing together since fifth grade and have a clear understanding of each other's strengths on the court.
“We have been playing together for so long, so we just have a connection on the court, which is huge,” Kline said. “No matter what is going on off the court, good or bad, when we step on the court, we are all on the same page and we are all in.”
Each year, the expectations continued to rise, but instead of shying away from them, the trio has embraced it.
“It is something we worked for and it's not something that was easy or something that was just given to us,” Mirgon said. “I think people look at our schedule and think it is weak, but we have played some tough non-league games. We've beaten some really good teams in the last four years. We feel like we have earned everything we have.”
Two weeks ago, the Rockets knocked off state-ranked Portsmouth Notre Dame, and in Berne Union's final regular season game last week it defeated Division I Pickerington North, 40-24.
“The first year, we weren't sure how good we were, so the expectations weren't as high as they are now,” Little said. “They always expected to win, but not the way we did. We were 21-1 in the regular season their freshman year, but as it has gone on, they understood the expectations would continue to rise. We have gone from let's win a league title and district championship, to now our expectations are much higher than that.
“They have really bought into that and understand that. It's not even about being 22-0, as much as we think we have a chance to get to the state tournament and that is our expectation. They know that and they are all in.”