Basketball

       The 2025-26 girls' basketball schedule is out. Let's take a look.

Tuesday, November 25--Pillager at Aitkin

Thursday, December 4--C-I at Aitkin

Friday, December 5--Aitkin at Barnum

Monday, December 8--Aitkin at Mille Lacs Raiders

Tuesday, December 9--Grand Rapids at Aitkin

Friday, December 12--Howard Lake-Waverley at Aitkin

Monday, December 15--Aitkin at Moose Lake-Willow River

Tuesday, December 16--Hibbing at Aitkin

Thursday, December 18--Aitkin at Two Harbors

Monday, December 22--Tournament

Tuesday, December 23--Tournament

Friday, January 2--Walker-Hackensack at Aitkin

Tuesday, January 6--Ogilvie at Aitkin

Thursday, January 8--Aitkin at Braham

Thursday, January 15--Mesabi East at Aitkin

Friday, January 16--Aitkin at East Central

Tuesday, January 20--Aitkin at Hinckley-Finlayson

Thursday, January 22--Mora at Aitkin

Monday, January 26--Aitkin at Pierz

Friday, January 30--Aitkin at C-I

Monday, February 2--Staples/Motley at Aitkin

Tuesday, February 3--Aitkin at Mora

Thursday, February 5--Aitkin at Pine City

Thursday, February 12--Denfeld at Aitkin

Thursday, February 19--Aitkin at Duluth Marshall

     The 2025-26 boys' basketball schedule is out, here's a peek.

Tuesday, December 2--Aitkin at C-I

Friday, December 5--Pine City at Aitkin

Tuesday, December 9--Mille Lacs Raiders at Aitkin

Tuesday, December 16--Aitkin at Staples/Motley

Thursday, December 18--Two Harbors at Aitkin

Monday, December 22--Tournament at Aitkin

Tuesday, December 23--Tournament at Aitkin

Monday, January 5--Aitkin at Barnum

Tuesday, January 6--Aitkin at Pierz

Tuesday, January 13--Mora at Aitkin

Thursday, January 15--Aitkin at East Central

Tuesday, January 20--Hinckley-Finlayson at Aitkin

Thursday, January 22--Aitkin at Pillager

Friday, January 23--Rush City at Aitkin

Monday, January 26--Aitkin at Cherry

Tuesday, January 27--Aitkin at Ogilvie

Thursday, January 29--C-I at Aitkin

Thursday, February 5--Chisholm at Aitkin

Friday, February 6--Aitkin at Pine City

Tuesday, February 10--Aitkin at Mora

Friday, February 13--Aitkin at Greenway

Friday, February 20--Aitkin at Rush City

Saturday, February 21-Aitkin at Proctor

Tuesday, February 24--Duluth Marshall at Aitkin

Thursday, February 26--Moose Lake-Willow River at Aitkin

       One year ago this Saturday, the 29th of February the Aitkin Gobbler girls with their record of 3-23 prepared to take the court against the C-I Rangers. They would be defeated that day by the score of 99-22 ending their season. Heads were down and who could blame them, they lost their last seven games and twelve of their last thirteen. Since the Holiday Tournament they had only scored more than fifty points four times. But a fire burned in the underclassmen, and they decided that night that they were not going to suffer through another season like this. Whatever it took they would do it and turn a program that had won just 21 games in the previous four years into a winner, and they knew they had the right coach to do just that. They started this season with four seniors but lost one to injury and one to the wrestling program, but they never stopped supporting the basketball team. So that left just Brita Westman and Ellie Hoppe standing. Those two would lead a group of young, young players and the rest is history. How did it happen, let's ask Coach Kaija Davies, "This season's turnaround is a direct result of the hard work and dedication our athletes put in during the off-season. We spent countless hours in the gym, focusing on improving individual skills, team dynamics and over all fitness. But it wasn't just about the time spent working. Our players bought into the process, showing an unwavering commitment to getting better every day. Our senior players with their experience and maturity have set the tone for the entire team. They've not only worked hard themselves, but they have also mentored the younger players, holding everyone accountable and leading by example. Their work ethic, combined with a strong desire to improve, has been the driving force behind our success. This teams hunger to grow, their belief in the process and their relentless effort have made all the difference in turning our program around." Tuesday night the Gobblers will host a Section 7AA first round game for the first time in six years. It's a 6:00 start against the Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels. The two teams met in December and the Gobblers came away with a 58-53 overtime win. I'm looking for a big crowd to watch this team try to move on to the second round and I have faith that this program that has gone through so much the last four years, will be ready to go. A win or loss however will not define this team or this program. They have started something at Aitkin and will do their best to keep it going year after year. A coaching staff and players who are willing to run through walls for them can't be defeated.