Malta Teams Face Fairview, Winifred Roy

The Malta Mustang and M-ette basketball teams saw plenty of action last week, as they hosted the Fergus Golden Eagles on Tuesday, January 23, and the Roy-Winifred Outlaws on Thursday, January 25, and traveled to Fairview to take on the Warriors on Saturday, January 27.

The teams will travel to Glasgow on Thursday, February 1, to take on the Scotties and Lady Scotties, starting at 3:30 p.m. Malta is scheduled to host Wolf Point on Friday, February 2, starting at 3 p.m. Malta will travel to Fergus on Saturday, February 3. Games will begin at 1 p.m.

Mustangs

The Mustangs won all three of their games last week and are 11-1 so far this season. They defeated Fergus 58-37, Roy Winifred 84-48, and Fairview 60-53.

In Malta's win over Fergus, Mason Simanton led the Mustangs with a 19 point, 11 rebound double-double. Bohdi Brenden had 12 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

Brenden, a junior, was asked about the team's win.

"Just playing team defense," Brenden said. "I think pushing the ball, getting down the floor quick and getting transition points. It was about working together."

Brenden, who attacked the mid-range was asked who he studies in pro basketball.

"D-Book," Brenden said, referring to Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker.

The Mustangs who finished second at the 2023 State B tournament earned a lopsided victory over Fergus who won Class A's title in 2023.

"It felt good," Carson Ottinger, Malta's senior captain said. "This was my first win against a Class A team in all four years that I have been here."

Ottinger was asked what it was like having Simanton back out on the court.

"It's nice. He is a great rebounder that can jump," Ottinger said. "I am not great at rebounding and jumping, but he brings a lot of good things to this team and we are happy to have him back."

Dawson Hammond had 11 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and four assists. Treyton Wilke had 10 points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Carson Ottinger had six points and six rebounds.

Malta scored 21 points off of the 19 turnovers they forced, which included 13 steals. They outrebounded Fergus 42-to-27, and scored 18 points in transition. Malta was 22-of-45 (41.4%) from two-point range and 3-of-19 (15.8%) from three point range.

Malta's shooting numbers improved in their win over Winifred-Roy. The team made 27-of-44 (61.4%) of their two point shots, and 5-of-17 (29.4) of their three point shots.

Brenden was asked what they needed to do to pick up wins over Winifred and Fairview.

"Just bringing the intensity from our last few games," Brenden said. "Working as a team and just playing good team defense. That's the key."

Wilke led Malta in their win over the Outlaws with 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Hammond had 17 points, six steals, three rebounds, and three assists. Simanton had 16 points and four rebounds. Brenden had 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Duke Williamson had seven points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Ottinger had five points. Kash Stiles, Kellen Murray, and Tant Anderson each scored two points.

Malta led by as much as 39 points. The team built a 43-27 lead at halftime and outscored the Outlaws 25-6 in the third quarter and 16-15 in the fourth quarter.

Brenden led Malta in their win over Fairview with 23 points, four rebounds and four steals. Wilke had 16 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Simanton had eight points and seven rebounds. Hammond had six points and four rebounds. Williamson had five points and five assists. Ottinger had two points and four rebounds.

M-ettes

The M-ettes went 1-2 last weekend and are 7-5 overall. They defeated the Fairview Golden Eagles 60-46 last Saturday, but fell 48-30 to Winifred-Roy, and 39-34 to Fergus.

In their win over Fairview, Malta was led by Denvyr Tuss who scored 18 points. Elly Anderson had 13 points, Neva Jacobsen had nine points, Kelbie Nelson had seven points. Emree Stuart and Kendall Clausen both had five points. Kylie Bishop had two points, and Giona Lamb had one point.

Malta did most of their damage in the first half, outscoring Fairview 12-9 in the first quarter and 18-9 in the second quarter. Both teams added 13 to their tally in the third quarter, and Malta scored 17 points in the fourth quarter while holding Fairview to 15 points.

In the M-ettes' loss to Fergus, Anderson scored 10 points and had four rebounds and three steals. Stuart had nine points and was 3-of-3 from three point range. Clausen had eight points and five rebounds. Nelson had five points and five rebounds. Jacobson had two points, and seven steals.

In Malta's loss to Winifred-Roy, Nelson had nine points. Tuss had six points and six rebounds. Jacobson had six points and four rebounds. Clausen had four points and six rebounds. Anderson had three points. Stuart had two points and four rebounds.