Northwestern girls looking for a leader this season.

Byline: Emily Kram

Dec. 12--You have to play the best to be the best. It's an old truism often repeated in the sports world, but the Northwestern High School girls basketball team is taking it to heart this year.

The Tigers added some strong opponents to their non-conference schedule, including Hurley, Rice Lake and Barnum (Minn.).

"Our non-conference schedule is very tough again this year, as it was last year," said Shawn Leith, head coach of the Tigers. "Those non-conference games will hopefully get us prepared for when we start the conference (games)."

Barnum, which finished second in the state at the Class A level last season, returned all but one starter and is currently ranked …