Stiles earns award

Former Malta M-ette and current University of Montana Lady Griz guard Sophia Stiles earned an award for her efforts in the 2019-20 season.

Last Monday, June 1, the school announced that Stiles had been voted as the Julie Deming Outstanding Defensive Player. It is an honor that Stiles also earned during her freshman season in 2017-18.

Despite playing the season with a torn labrum in her right shoulder, Stiles led the team in steals with 46 and was second in assists with 61. Stiles had a season-high 14 points in the team's 72-67 win over Grand Canyon last November. Stiles had 10 rebounds in a loss to Montana State in February. She had a season-high four steals in a loss to Idaho State late January. In a 71-69 win over Cal State Fullerton, Stiles went 4-for-6 from three-point range. In a win against Eastern Washington, Stiles had eight assists.

Stiles has since then had surgery on her shoulder.

She shared what winning the Julie Deming Award for a second time meant to her.

"Getting awarded the Julie Deming Outstanding Defensive Player award is a huge honor," Stiles said. "I never watched Julie play but from what I hear she was an amazing player and great teammate, she died in a tragic car crash when she was 32 years old. To remember Julie, the staff put this award in her honor, so being awarded it is pretty special. I am very grateful that my teammates and coaches chose me to receive it this year. I was not 100% and I felt that especially on the offensive end, so I really put everything I had on defense. I have always been passionate about defensive and feel it brings the best offensive. I think a big part of my success was growing up in the M-ette program where we have been known for some of the best defense in the state. To me holding a really good player scoreless is just as fun as scoring a bunch of points."