M-ette Basketball 2020-21

The M-ettes have retained a lot of talent from last year's team that ended the year with a win at the state tournament.

Last year's state tournament concluded with a pair of co-champions and a few teams, including Malta, who were set to compete to a chance at 3rd place. The tournament's last day ended in cancellation due to the threat of COVID-19.

This year the M-ettes are without Kelbee Denham and Carly Garfield, who had started for Malta over the last few seasons.

"Kelbee played point guard for a few years for us and was one of our better shooters," Coach Hammond said. "They were both team leaders. Carly was a very good post player, especially defensively. He will have to fill those voids."

In all, the Malta M-ettes have 21 athletes this season, a group that features plenty of younger players. The team has two seniors, one junior, eleven sophomores, and seven freshmen.

"It's nice to have a lot of kids for the competition aspect in practice," Coach Hammond said. " Hopefully we can get some some nights where we have three games, so that all of these kids can get to play."

The senior class includes fourth-year starter Erica Smith and Kylie Hunter, who also brings back plenty of starting experience on the varsity level.

Smith was selected to the Class B All-State team last season.

"Erica has had a pretty good summer," Coach Hammond said. "She has been shooting the ball better and she has always been good on defense, but I think she is getting alot tougher on offense."

Coach Hammond said that Hunter has been doing well in practice.

"She is a smart player, who is a really good passer," Coach Hammond said. "I think her shooting has been coming along and she is definitely a leader out there."

Justine Lamb, a junior, was also a starter last season, providing Malta with length and athleticism at the wing position.

"Justine is an extremely athletic player," Coach Hammond said. "SHe will be playing under the basket; trying to fill those shoes that Carly had last year."

Four sophomores on the roster also saw quite a bit of time on the court. Those sophomores include Addy Anderson, Alison Kunze, Maddie Williamson, and Kylee Nelson.

Nelson earned second-team all-conference honors last season.

"She was our leading scorer last year and played a lot of point guard for us," Coach Hammond said. "She is very smart for a young kid."

Retaining seven athletes with starting experience, Coach Hammond did not settle in on a starting five.

"Our starting lineup may change night-to-night because we have seven kids that all should be in the starting lineup," Coach Hammond said.

Kunze and Nelson were selected as the team MVPs last year at the Malta High School awards banquet.

"Allie is really steady and smart with the way she plays considering how young she is," Coach Hammond said. "She is very talented as well."

The M-ettes defeated Glasgow in Glasgow last Saturday night. The score was 55-38, and the M-ettes were led by Hunter who ha 14 points. Williamson added 10 points. Anderson had nine points, Kunz had eight points, Smith had seven points, Lamb had five points, and Aubri Werk had two points.