Barkalow Brings Buzz
COLFAX — Watching Colfax-Mingo girls basketball coach Matt Barkalow on the sidelines Monday at the Lynnville-Sully Jamboree, he oozed excitement and enthusiasm.
Barkalow hopes that carries over to his team in his first year as the Tigerhawks prepare for a season opening tournament Monday in Pleasantville.
“I’m really excited about it,” Barkalow said of being girls basketball coach. “I’m not professing to be John Wooden, but at the same time, I know our kids and how to motivate them. I’m looking forward to the season.”
The season opens Monday at the Pleasantville Tournament, with the Tigerhawks returning just one full-time starter from last season — guard Brooke Berkey. Berkey is the leading scorer and rebounder back from last year’s 2-19 squad.
Four of the top five scorers and rebounders are now graduated, led by Josie Redman last season in both categories.
Barkalow has been looking at success in other sports at Colfax-Mingo to gain momentum for the girls basketball team. The Tigerhawks won a Heart of Iowa Small School softball title this past summer, had a regional girls golf appearance and got multiple competitors to the state track meet.
“A lot of these ladies have had a lot of success in other sports,” Barkalow said. “We’re trying to draw on some of the past athletic accomplishments. I really want the girls to believe if you go out and give your best and leave everything on the floor, you have no regrets. The scoreboard will take care of itself.”
Outside of Berkey, a senior, Barkalow will be looking to as many as 11 other girls to fill starting spots. Inside, Barkalow is looking at juniors Calli Lowry and Caitlyn Hagarty, sophomore Katelyn Buehrer and 6-foot freshman Nicolette Husson.
On the perimeter, Berkey and fellow senior Linzi Weston, juniors Danielle Beals, Hillarie Koenig, Molly Maggard and Logan Wilson, and sophomores Hailey Summy and Brooke Talsma will compete for time.
“Right now our back court play is a strength,” Barkalow said. We have several athletes. We don’t necessarily have a four or five that is heads and shoulders above the rest, but we have a good platoon. They’re going to work hard and rebound.”
Coaching this team for the first time, Barkalow is emphasizing his strengths as boys track and assistant football coach — speed and conditioning.
“The big thing is we are going to push the tempo,” Barkalow said. “We’ve worked really hard on conditioning. Conditioning is huge. The girls have worked hard — as hard as they have in a long time.”
Looking at the Heart of Iowa Conference and the Small School portion, Barkalow doesn’t look much further than North Polk as the title favorite. Outside of the Comets, he feels it’s wide open.
“There is a lot of parity and a chance for some teams to step up, and hopefully we’ll be on of them,” Barkalow said. “The biggest thing is we have to stick together. We’ve made some goals — have a better record that last year and be more competitive. If we can keep the games close, I think we have a chance.”
