That didn’t take long.

Meskwaki Settlement School made its interscholastic girls’ basketball varsity debut Monday — and won.

The Warriors defeated future Iowa Star Conference rival Janesville, 57-51.

“The girls were very proud of themselves,” said Coach Shoshonis Brown. “The weeks of preparation really paid off.”

The varsity roster consists of 10 players. Two played for Brown at the JV level last year at Meskwaki. The others are transfers into the district.

“The skill level we have this year is much better than last year,” Brown said.

“The girls are eager to achieve, and they’re willing to work hard together.”

The roster features three seniors (Raven Kapayou, Sarah Keahna and Krystle Tyon), a junior, three sophomores and three freshmen.

An independent this year that will join the Iowa Star in 2010-11, Meskwaki is playing a full 21-game schedule this winter. The Warriors face a wide array of competition — from Waterloo East (enrollment 971 in grades 10-12) to Waterloo Christian (enrollment 17).

Meskwaki (1-1) dropped its second game, 55-43, to Cedar Falls NU High, and plays its first home contest — against Latimer CAL — tonight.

Tracking Klinge’s quest

Waukon Coach Gene Klinge goes for his 935th career win when the Indians travel to Waverly-Shell Rock for their Northeast Iowa Conference opener Friday.

The late Bob Mullen is the state leader for girls’ basketball victories, with 938.

Waukon (3-0) hosts Charles City on Tuesday and entertains Oelwein next Friday.

The MAC’s fighting back

In recent years, Mississippi Valley Conference schools have used the Mississippi Athletic Conference as a collective punching bag.

This year, not so much.

In 12 interconference games, the leagues have split, 6-6. That includes a 4-0 MAC record against the Dubuque schools.