M-ette and Lady Panther players make it to HIT championship in Havre

Malta M-ettes Darby Schye, Hailey Nicholson and Jada Nicholson were a part of the Girls Class B team at the Hi-Line Invitational Tournament (HIT)last weekend.

The tournament's four teams were comprised of the best Class AA, A, B and C athletes on the Hi-Line.

The Girl's Class B would eventually win the HIT's championship game against Class C, which included Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale Lady Panthers Tatum Moore and Larimie Scheffelmear.

The score of the championship game was a close, 76-70.

Hailey Nicholson had eight points, eight rebounds and two steals.

Jada Nicholson, who wasn't even sure she would come to the tournament after her invitation, proved to be a great addition to the squad.

"I was scared, but now I'm really glad that I did (come to play)," Jada Nicholson told the PCN.

Jada would have eight points, six rebounds, two assists and a block.

Schye had seven points, six rebounds and five assists.

It was the first tournament for all three of the M-ettes participating.

For Class C Moore would have six points and three steals. Scheffelmear had two points, rebounds and two assists.

Class B and Class C had also faced one another before in the first round of the tournament, though the local talent didn't treat is as M-ettes vs. Lady Panthers. Class C won by one point. The score 75-74.

Moore had nine points and Scheffelmear had eight rebounds.

"It's just good to get out there and play even after the season. So it's fun," Moore said.

Schye had nine points. Hailey Nicholson had six point. Jada Nicholson had five points.

To the M-ette three, facing Scheffelmear and Moore was something they are used to because of summer games.

"It's not the same because there was only three Malta girls," Jada said.

Games at the HIT featured 10 minute quarters instead of just eight. It also gave the high schoolers the challenge of dealing with a 24 second shot clock, a feature currently not used in regular high school games.

"It was weird," Scheffelmear said. "The very first game, I didn't even realize it the whole first quarter. It's hard to get used to."

Moore admitted that the clock was weird, but was more than a help than a burden.

"It pushes you to bring the ball up fast because it starts right away," Moore said.

Moore also admitted she would love if the clock was introduced for her senior year next season.

"I would love it because it makes the game go faster," Moore said. "People can't sit out there and hold the ball forever. You have to get shots off and you have to play basketball."

Though Scheffelmear's high school career is over, she would like for there to be a shot clock in her future for another reason.

"Hopefully I'll be having to play with a shot clock too. In college," Scheffelmear said.

Though there weren't many scouts at the event, the Northern Stars' player and coaches were checking out the action.

When asked if the possibility of being scouted would affect Scheffelmear, she said "Not really, I've talked to coach Moat but I just don't pay attention to that (the scouts)."

Before the championship game, Class C defeated every opponent that came in their path.

In their Saturday morning win against class AA, Class C put a 84-56 hurting on their opponent.

Moore had 12 points, two rebounds and a steal. Scheffelmear had seven points, seven rebounds and one block.

Though Class AA traditional has more kids competing to play basketball than Class C does in the regular season, Scheffelmear and Moore were not phased.

When asked if they were intimidated before the game Moore said, "I don't think so. I just think that we have to come out and play the way we know how and then we will beat them."

The Class B girls also defeated class AA last Saturday quite handily, outscoring them 91-63.

The M-ette trio weren't too worried about facing Class AA, though typically a higher population of student athletes suggests a tougher team.

"It's just another team," Schye said. "You cant be too arrogant but then you can't be scared because that's not going to get you anywhere."

Jada Nicholson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and one block. Schye had eight points, nine rebounds and was two of five from three point range. Hailey Nicholson had eight points and three rebounds.

Being only a sophomore Jada Nicholson wasn't even afraid to take on class AA.

"It's fun," Jada said. "I like it."

She admitted that the experience from last weekend is going to help her tremendously as a player.

"They're mean and about ripped my arm off," Jada said.

Her older sister also welcomed the challenge.

"I though it was fun," Hailey said.

Schye proved that she had a deadly jumpshot from three point land, knocking down her only two attempts in Class B's win against Class A last Friday night.

"I was wide open under the basket," Jada Nicholson said jokingly.

Schye scored 14 points, snatched seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Darby would also show some ball-handling skills, something that wasn't required of Schye being a post for the M-ettes.

"Last weekend I had to dribble a little bit more, so it made me more comfortable for this weekend," Schye said.

Hailey Nicholson had six points and four rebounds.

Jada Nicholson had four points, five rebounds and one steal.

In Class C's 86-79 victory over Class A at noon last Friday, Scheffelmear had 12 points, four rebounds, two steals and one assist. Scheffelmear was also three of three from behind the arc.

Moore had a team leading seven rebounds, seven points, two assists and one block. She even broke away for a fast break bucket, which is one thing she thrived on all season.

"It was nice because I think that was the only one that I've gotten this weekend so far because these other girls are so fast too," Moore said. "They just catch right up with me."

Being that the game possessed many skilled ball-handlers, Moore wasn't the player in control of the ball, which made her more of a two-guard.

"It's different but it's nice. It's nice not having so much pressure on me to bring the ball up and handle the ball so much," Moore said.

Moore was also put in a position to put the game out of reach at the free throw line, with her team being up by two possessions near the end. Moore sank both shots.

"I was just like, I better make these so they don't catch up and beat us," Moore said. "Jeff was like 'You guys have got to make your free throws.' So I was thinking I had better make them."

Scheffelmear was also put in a position that she hasn't been in all season.

"I was just like I'm open, there are no girls in front of me," Scheffelmear said.