M-ettes open against Columbus at State B Tourney

The undefeated M-ettes won’t be the only undefeated team at the 2015 State Girls B Tournament in Great Falls this week.

In fact they aren’t even the only undefeated team on their side of the bracket. If the M-ettes make it to the semi-final round, they will have to face Forsyth, who is champion from the Southern B Tournament last week.

Forsyth became champs in their division by defeating Manhattan who was undefeated prior to their clash.

Forsyth defeated Manhattan 48-29.

In order for the M-ettes to either face Forsyth or Plains, they will have to go through the Southern B’s fourth seed Columbus.

“There’s 18 team in the south, so it’s a good accomplishment to come out of the south,” Malta Head Coach Nate Hammond said.

Malta’s track record speaks for itself, however the fact that the team is undefeated paints a huge target for the M-ettes, a dangerous target.

The Columbus Lady Cougars missed out on the big dance last season and it’s hard to say whether they will shine or fold going against the top ranked team in the state.

Columbus boasts three seniors around 5’9” that give the team quite a bit of height in the paint.

Those seniors are Kyla Rouane, Rachel Ault and Courtney Martinez. Point guard Madi Sindelar also hopes to play spoiler for the opposing Lady Cougars.

“They’ve kind of got some size and they’re kind of smart kids,” Coach Hammond said. “They’re seniors that don’t make many mistakes, they just play within themselves. I wouldn’t say that they’re going to win a track meet with us, but they just play smart and efficiently.”

Though the M-ettes won the Northern B last week, coach Hammond assures that the team is focused and will not take any team for granted.

The M-ettes have had the week off practicing, resting and game planning for the tournament.

“Practices have been going good,” said Coach Hammond. “Last week did a lot of work on our own things. We had no idea who we were going to play yet.”

Buses leave today at around 2:30 p.m.

Tip off for the M-ettes and Lady Cougar game starts at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Great Falls.