M-ettes Bring Back Old and New Talent

The Malta M-ettes have retained plenty of talent from last year's team, who ended the season on Saturday morning of the State B Tournament in Bozeman.

The team welcomes seniors Allison Kunze and Maddie Williamson, a pair of 2022 All-State Selections. The team will be without Justine Lamb, a graduated senior, who made Second-Team All-Conference.

M-ette Head Coach Nate Hammond was asked about Kunze, who is listed at 5-10 and recently signed to play for Williston State in 2023.

"I'm excited to see her play this year," Coach Hammond said. "I think she has gotten a little stronger. I think she is playing better from the perimeter and handling the ball better. She has got everything kind of going for her this year."

He was also asked about Williamson, who led Malta at the point guard position last season.

"It's been a little bit of an adjustment but I am really excited about what she is doing for us this year. I think she has a senior maturity and she is able to score off of that (point guard) position, which is a hard thing for kids to do."

He also said that her ability as a passer has improved since last season and that she is a floor leader out on the court.

The team also welcomes back Addy Anderson, a second team All-Conference Selection.

"Addy gives people a lot of trouble on the defensive end," Coach Hammond said. "She's got long arms and is pretty physical. When she gets around the basket, she has a knack for rebounding. She can kind of tip the ball to herself. She is strong and an awfully good shooter."

The team also welcomes back Brylee French, a senior with plenty of starting experience.

"She is a good shooter," Coach Hammond said. "She has the ability to shoot off the dribble. We are really looking for her to be another defensive weapon for us. She is tough. She is gritty. She doesn't mind contact and will go in there and rebound as well as play defense.

"She brings kind of a wrestler mentality to the team," Coach Hammond continued.

The team welcomes a pair of freshman that have logged in minutes early this season. Starting in the post is Denvyr Tuss and the sixth man has been Neva Jacobson.

"Denvyr had a really good summer," Coach Hammond said. "She has a lot of really good instincts for the game. She can see where the ball is going to come off of the rim and she gathers a lot of those rebounds. She has really good body position and can get her shot off against anybody by using body control."

Jacobson has already shown that she can contribute on both sides of the ball in regular season action. Coach Hammond was asked about the freshman guard.

"She shoots the ball very well," Coach Hammond said. "She has great instinct for when to cut and when to move. She is always around the loose balls and seems to be able to grab long rebounds."

Coach Hammond also said that Jacobson was one of the better ball-handlers on the team.

"That takes a little pressure off of some of our guards," Coach Hammond said. "We think Neva is going to be a pretty big contributor."

The team welcomes back four in the junior class including Elly Anderson, Giona Lamb, Gracie Honey, and Addison Ulrich. Kelbie Nelson is the lone sophomore on the varsity team.

"We have a good mix of post players, guards, wings, shooters and defenders," Coach Hammond said. "Hopefully, we can get all of the puzzle pieces together and be pretty tough by mid season."

The M-ettes are 2-0 this season after picking up wins over Loyola-Sacred Heart and Lincoln County last weekend at the Shelby Coyote Classic this past weekend.

"I was really pleased with how they played," Coach Hammond said. "I thought they came out and looked pretty smooth and executed well."

Coach Hammond believes that they were excited to play a real game after weeks of practices.

In their win over Loyola-Sacred Heart on Friday, December 9, the score was 62-26. The M-ettes outscored the Rams 46-9 in the first half, and only allowed two points in the second quarter.

Malta was led by Anderson, who had 17 points and seven rebounds. She was 3-of-3 from three point range and 7-of-9 from the field.

Kunze scored 15 points and had five rebounds and four steals. Maddie Williamson had 11 points, six assists, and five steals. Jacobson had eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Tuss had 10 rebounds and four points.

The M-ettes defeated the Lincoln County (Eureka) Lions 81-13 on Saturday, December 10. Malta outscored Eureka 33-2 in the first quarter.

The M-ettes were led by Kunze who scored 28 points, five assists, and four steals. Kunze was 13-of-16 from the field.

Williamson had 17 points, seven assists, and six steals. Tuss had 12 rebounds and seven points. Brylee French, and Anderson each had seven points. Jacobson had six points and five steals.