M-ette Basketball 2021-22

The Malta M-ettes basketball team welcomes back plenty of experience in their 2021-22 campaign. This includes five starters. Who in one season or another have been named to the District 2B All-Conference list.

The M-ettes finished fourth at the 2021 State B Basketball Tournament last season after going 2-2 in the tournament. They fell to the Roundup Lady Panthers in the elimination bracket.

Since then, the team has graduated two seniors from that team including four-year starting guard Erica Smith and Kylie Hunter who logged valuable minutes as a starter in the past few seasons.

Thus far, the M-ettes have started the season with a 2-1 record. They opened the season against the Havre Blue Ponies and lost 43-40 to last year's State A Girls Champions, on Tuesday, December 7.

They went on to defeat the Loyola-Sacred Heart Breakers 76-63 on Friday, 10, in the Shelby Showcase, and then the Three Forks Lady Wolves 52-37 on Saturday, December 11.

Prior to their games, the PCN caught up with M-ettes Head Coach Nate Hammond, to talk about this year's team.

Coach Hammond started by talking about his starters. The first starter he named was Allison Kunze, a 5'10 junior, who was First-team All-Conference and All-State last year as a sophomore.

"Kunze led us in points and rebounds last year," Coach Hammond said.

Next up was Maddie Williamson, a 5'7 junior who was also First-team All-Conference and All-State last year as a sophomore.

"Maddie is very good defender and explosive with the ball," Coach Hammond said.

The team's lone senior, Justine Lamb, returned to action after overcoming an injury sustained in the offseason. The 5'10 forward earned All-Conference honors last season.

"Justine Lamb brings a lot of athleticism and rebounding to the team," Coach Hammond said.

The team also welcomes back junior Addy Anderson, who earned Second-Team All-Conference honors.

"Addy brings a lot of offensive firepower," Coach Hammond said. "She can shoot and drive and has good length."

Coach Hammond also mentioned Kylee Nelson. The 5'4 junior guard was a Second-Team All-Conference player as a freshman (in 2020) and led the team in scoring during her freshman year.

"She is one of the best ball handlers and passers in the league," Coach Hammond said.

As far as reserves, Coach Hammond mentioned a few athletes that logged minutes last season.

"The other kids with varsity experience include junior Brylee French, who we look to bring athleticism and a good shooting touch, junior Lauren Tuss, who is a very versatile and smart player who can fill a lot of roles, and junior Aubri Werk, who brings a good post presence and strength around the basket," Coach Hammond said. "We are excited for our junior varsity team who recently won a game vs Nashua, and our freshmen class of nine girls who we hope to get some quality games for throughout the season."

In Malta's win over Three Forks last Saturday, the team was led by Kunze who had 23 points. She also had seven rebounds, four steals, and one block. Anderson had nine points. Nelson had seven points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Lamb had six points and six rebounds.

In Malta's win over Loyola-Sacred Heart on Friday, the team was led by Kunze who had 23 points, nine points, and three blocks. Anderson netted 14 points and had four rebounds. Nelson had 13 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and six steals. Lamb had 11 points and nine rebounds. Williamson had 11 points and nine rebounds. Malta outrebounded the Breakers 46-29.

Malta had Havre on the ropes late in the fourth quarter, leading by three after fighting from behind. Malta's first point came after Havre scored the first 13 points of the game.

Malta was led by Anderson who scored 10 points and racked up seven rebounds. Kunze had 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Nelson had 10 points, Williamson had five points, Lamb had three points, and Brylee French had two points.