M-ette Basketball: Smith, Nelson earn MVP honors

I want to mention how proud I am of this year's M-ettes. We didn't get the chance to bring home that trophy from State in Butte, but we were in very good position when it all ended. I believe we would have ended up third if this would have played out.

This year started off with travel and games throughout the month of June, and learning to play with a different group of girls. When the regular season got underway in November we had eleven freshmen and one foreign exchange student, a total of twelve new players out of twenty. We could tell though, and we talked about it early, that we might have a group that could win the Northern B. We could get to State and see what happens!

When I look back on this year's team, they will be defined in my mind as the most unselfish, win first, stats later group I have ever coached in my 14 years. To have upperclassmen who are experienced and accomplished enough to not only lead with the ball in their hands, but to lead in practice and in the locker room the way they did is very unique. These older girls recognized how much better we could be if we were able to utilize this younger talent we saw as well.

Carly Garfield and Kelbee Denham, your senior year was a Divisional Championship year! This was the team's fourth Northern B Championship in seven years. You two have been leaders on a very good team, helped to build a very good program, and I hope you continue to stop in occasionally. Always remain part of this family!

I want to congratulate the award winners. Kylee Nelson as the leading scorer and Offensive Player of the Year, Erica Smith as the leader in steals and Defensive Player of the Year, Kelbee Denham led in Free Throw percent and was leading in Assists, and Allison Kunze led in Rebounds. All Conference Selections Kylee Nelson, Kelbee Denham, and Erica Smith, and All State Selection Erica Smith. I am so proud of Erica for that All State selection. Erica never got outworked and is so competitive. It was very deserving. I'll always remember the 32 minute defensive gem she gave us in the Divisional Semifinal vs Fairfield!

I'd like to thank my assistant coaches Shane Anderson and Mardee Scott as well. Shane has been very instrumental in the development of this group of girls and has put in more summer and off season time than any assistants in Montana I am sure. Mardee has been a breath of fresh air for our program, brought new perspective, and some needed personality. Both coaches have been very important in game planning, practicing, as well as helping manage the games.

It was a very good year and I so enjoyed working with this group of girls. Coaching is so easy with kids like this. We'll see what happens this summer and good things are on the horizon for the Malta M-ettes!