Hali Savela Elevating Mountain Iron-Buhl Through Versatility, Work Ethic
10.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.8 APG through five games
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.- The Mountain Iron-Buhl girls basketball team is right on track in their bid for a second-straight state championship. That’s likely due to the Rangers’ terrific twosome: Jordan Zubich and Hali Savela.
Zubich has long been the face of Mountain Iron-Buhl girls’ basketball, but she admits that Savela plays a major role in her success. “(Hali’s) going to do all the little things for us, which makes my job 10 times easier.”
Savela, now a senior, is also one of the Rangers’ co-captains. “It’s kind of crazy, I can’t believe it went this fast.” She remarked. “It’s so fun doing it one last time and we’re trying to soak the memories up.”
Savela is second on the team with 10.8 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game while she leads Mountain Iron-Buhl with 5.8 assists per game.
“She plays every position for us and it’s nice to have somebody like that,” Says MIB Head Coach Jeff Buffetta. “She can play in the post, she can bring the ball up, she’s willing to do what it takes, and she’s always been that way, and it’s definitely a good weapon to have.”
Savela and Zubich make up one of the most dangerous duos in Minnesota, but that’s nothing new for either of them. “We’ve been playing (together) our whole life.” says Savela. “We actually support each other really well through all of the accomplishments. We work really well together, so we just mesh on and off the court, which makes it really easy to play. We do everything together. We’re in student council, we do the yearbook, She’s such a fun person, she’s a great personality.”
“She’s been my best friend since like kindergarten,” smiled Zubich. “I mean, we do everything together…We have all the same classes.”
Savela is now focused on finishing her time in high school with another state title. “We have the same team. We’re going to shoot, we’re going to run a fast-paced game, and I think it’s going to be really fun.”
Following this season, Savela will continue her basketball career at the University of Jamestown, which will join the NSIC in the NCAA Division II in 2024-25.
