Consider selflessness among the Panthers’ strengths.

Four of Lakeville North’s starting players average double-digit scoring, with a fifth just a shade under 10 points per game.

Thursday, in an easy 75-44 win against section opponent Rochester John Marshall, the Panthers indeed got more than 10 points from four different players.

No one dominates the score sheet for the Panthers, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News. But it’s not because no one’s capable of it, but rather, by design. Team play — and spreading around the ball — wins them games.

Ask senior guard Kari Macura, who had an 11-point night against the Rockets, how her season’s gone, and she instead explains how the Panthers play well together.

“Good. I mean, we’re all playing together as a team, and I think we feed off each other really well,” she said. “As long as we play together, it’s a good season so far.”

This is likely the best Macura’s felt in a while — she tore one ACL her freshman year, and the other as a sophomore. Early in the season, Panthers coach Shelly Clemons predicted a breakout year from Macura, and though she’s averaging 8 points per game, she’s also rebounding well and racking up plenty of assists as a do-it-all guard.

So on a team like the Panthers, with Lauren Jensen, Taylor Brown, Analiese Tschida and Ke Brown all averaging 10 points or more each game, no one needs to bear too much of the scoring load.

Against John Marshall, Macura’s 11 points all came in the first half, and Jensen and Brown each had dominant stretches over the first 18 minutes as well.

Tschida sat out much of the first half due to foul trouble, but still scored six in limited minutes.

Lakeville North seems to stick to the idea of the best shot being the open one — and the Panthers don’t care who’s taking it.

“It’s very big, because not every game not everyone’s gonna be on,” Macura said. “So we can find the player who’s on each game, and it’s a good balance. As long as we share the ball and find the right plays, it’s a big part to our team. That’s how we win most of our games, is team play.”

Macura’s not sure if she’ll follow her brother to the college ranks — J.P. Macura is a senior on Xavier University’s men’s team  — but said she’s been encouraged to keep her career going beyond this season.

“Just a little bit, yeah,” she said with a laugh.

At 6-3 heading into Christmas break, the Panthers have been tested early.

Lakeville North’s three losses have all come against teams ranked in front of them — No. 2 Eastview, No. 3 Wayzata and No. 4 Centennial. Two of those losses were by one possession, including an overtime loss to Wayzata.

And with this year’s new starters feeling not-so-new anymore, the Panthers are intent on a return to the state tournament.

As their senior guard says, it’s a realistic goal, so long as the team-centric play remains a focus.

“People are sharing the ball well,” Macura said. “We have a lot of assists. It’s fun playing with this team.”

Lakeville North’s last game before Christmas turned out to be an easy one.

The Panthers, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, hosted Section 1 opponent Rochester John Marshall Thursday, winning 75-44, with four players scoring in double figures.

Lauren Jensen and Taylor Brown led the Panthers with 14 points each, and Kari Macura and Ke James each scored 11.

Lakeville North (6-3) pulled its starters with about 8 minutes to go in the second half and the score 61-34.

Jessica Ruden led John Marshall (4-4) scorers with 11 points, while Taylor Fautsch added nine.

Lakeville North went up 23-7 early before an 8-0 run by John Marshall. The Panthers went into the break up 43-20 and never looked back.

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