Sister Act: Double Trouble, the sequel

Editor's Note: In 2016, the PCN caught up with sisters Hailey and Jada Nicholson at the Armory Gymnasium on the campus of Montana State University in Havre after the annual Hi-Line Invitational. The story, Sister Act: Double Trouble was published in the March 30, 2016 issue of the PCN. This story took place in the same location only a few years later, but with the duo playing for the Skylights.

The Montana State University-Northern Skylights are currently 4-0 in the 2019-20 regular season and two former M-ettes are a big part of it.

Sisters Hailey Nicholson and Jada Nicholson are both helping their team in their quest for a Frontier Conference title.

Last Thursday the duo both had playing time in the team's 69-43 win over the Corban University Warriors of Oregon.

A senior starting forward, Hailey saw 32 minutes, scoring eight points, racking up four assists, and shining on the defensive end of the court grabbing five rebounds, one block, and one steal. She also tipped many passes, a few that ended up as turnovers.

Before joining the Skylights in Havre, the older Nicholson was a member of the University of Montana Lady Griz in Missoula her freshman and sophomore seasons. Her decision to come home was helped by her younger sister joining the Skylights in 2017-18, a year in which Jada was a red-shirt freshman.

"I just needed something new," Hailey told the PCN in Havre that day. "She was here and I definitely wanted to play with her again, so it just all worked out."

Jada and Hailey noted that the reunion was a good thing and it has been fun for them both.

"It's always fun," Jada said. "I'm just used to playing with her. It's just a good time. We just have great chemistry."

The duo, only graduating from Malta High School one year apart (Hailey in 2016, and Jada in 2017), shared how the game of college basketball is different than high school ball.

"The college game is a lot more aggressive," Hailey said. "You have to put a lot more into it than into high school. It's a much faster game and the girls are bigger and it's a lot more physical."

The duo has had to grow with the game and they shared how they think they are better since their days leading the M-ettes to four straight State B Title games.

"I feel like I am a lot more comfortable and able to guard post players," Hailey said. "In high school, I didn't really want to be down there. But it's just something that you have to do now and it helps that we are really long."

Jada saw some minutes off of the bench against Corban University, subbing in for Hailey, who plays the same position. Jada also defended the paint well, grabbing two defensive rebounds and one offensive board. Her length also affected plays.

"I've definitely gotten better at defense and running plays, being able to mentally prepare for what's coming," Jada said.

One benefit of being 90 miles away from their hometown of Malta, is the fact that many family members and friends come to see them play at the Armory Gymnasium throughout the basketball season. This was apparent as their parents Chad and Michelle Nicholson were present, as well as Rhonda Dalby, Lavida Grotte-Dalby, Tia Siewing, Izzie Hallenberg, and Pierre Bibbs. The group from Malta was seen after the game exchanging hugs and taking photos.

"It's weird, I guess," Hailey said. "Not in a bad way. It's just kind of cool that they are still into coming to watch us and stuff."

During their game against the Warriors, the Armory was loud and full of excitement as the Havre area's elementary schools were present for the game.

"They just gave us a lot of energy," Jada said of the kids. "They were just so fun to work with. They were just screaming and it gave us a good start."

The arena seats were full as the MSU-Northern Wrestling team threw t-shirts and toy basketballs into the crowd.

"The community is great," Jada said. "They really back us up, always, no matter what. We usually get quite a few people and our student section is good. It's just nice having a fan base."

The team is 4-0 in regular-season games, having only lost to teams in exhibition games, which do not count against their record. One of those teams was the Lady Griz, which featured former M-ette teammate and MHS graduate Sophia Stiles.

"It was fun to play Soph again," Jada said. "It was their field trip day, so they had a million kids there (7,000). It was packed and we didn't have the best start. We learned a lot from it but it was definitely a rough game."

The original Sister Act: Double Trouble Story can be found by searching Sister Act on the PCN's website or by this address. https://www.phillipscountynews.com/story/2016/03/30/sports/sister-act-double-trouble/3435.html