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The 2026 Battle for the Paddle, the annual Spirit Game between Northeast 1B North league rivals Cusick and Selkirk High Schools, was Thursday, Jan. 24. The Panthers hosted the Rangers for this year’s Battle for the Paddle, also the rivals’ third game of the season.
“It is a really fun game to participate in because of the amped up atmosphere,” says Kelly Cain, girls’ varsity coach and former boys’ varsity coach. “It has a strong playoff vibe to it.”
After losing to the Selkirk girls twice in a row, the Cusick girls finally got a win against their rival that night. The boys played after them, with the Selkirk boys taking revenge for the girls with a win against the Cusick boys. Both losing teams were only a basket or two away from victory. (See related story.)
Cusick and Selkirk students, faculty and alumni packed the stands of the Cusick High School gym that night, many with spirit gear.
Miner photos by Gabrielle Feliciano.
