M-ette Basketball 2015

The Malta M-ettes ended their 2014-15 campaign with an impressive 26-0 record that ended with a State B title in Great Falls. Winning last year's title may put a target on Malta's back for other teams but Malta's mindset is the same it was at the start of last season. "Our goals are high again this year," M-ette Head Coach Nate Hammond told the PCN. "We've got a lot of kids back from last year's successful team. We've got the talent; we just have to work all year on making it come together." This year's unit will have a slightly different look as they lost four players to graduation, including post Darby Schye. Though the team will feature two new starters this season, but as Coach Hammond said, the team has also retained plenty of talent. Among those returning is junior Sophia Stiles, who was the team's leading scorer during her freshmen and sophomore seasons. Stiles had 16 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals in the team's first game against Havre. A game in which the M-ettes won 63-39 last Saturday night in Malta. "Sophie does everything very well," Coach Hammond said. "She's the catalyst for everything and we wouldn't be who we are without her." Also returning is senior wing Hailey Nicholson, who recently signed to play with the University of Montana a few weeks ago. Nicholson had a game-leading 23 points, along with four rebounds, three blocks and two steals. "Hailey has had a great summer," Coach Hammond said. "She's gotten a little stronger. She seems to be playing a little more physical and I think she's grown a little too. I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do. She's just so gifted and talented and it will be exciting to see what she does." Though Malta will be looking at new options in the post, Coach Hammond mentioned that he will not force any position change for Nicholson. "I'm not going to make Hailey become Darby," he said."They're two different kids. We're going to let her be who she is." Senior Marley Manoukian has been a solid defender and two-guard for the M-ettes throughout her high school career. Manoukian has also proven to be a great ball distributer as she did in the M-ettes' home opener. She had seven assists that game, tying the team lead with Stiles. "Marley's such a good leader for our team and she's so driven," Coach Hammond said. "She's a good model for the rest of the kids. She works hard. Nobody ever outworks her." Coach Hammond also mentioned that Manoukian's shot has improved over the summer. In the team's win over Havre, juniors Jada Nicholson and Shay Garfield saw their first starts at varsity. Jada was 7-of-10 from the field and had 14 points, six assists, three steals, three rebounds and only one turnover and the wing position. Garfield played post and was 2-of-2 from the field, and had six rebounds, one steal and one assist. Other players to watch for this season include seniors Mary Grace Kalal and Adrianna Bibeau, juniors Eva Harms, DeeDee Johannesen, Raleigh Hunter, sophomore Ella Schye and newcomer sophomore Mystic Striker who had a solid cross country season.

Junior Sophia Stiles will look to repeat last year's success, as she helped lead Malta to the 2015 State B Title last Spring.