M-ettes, Mustangs Hold Youth Basketball Camp

The Malta M-ettes and Mustangs basketball teams hosted their 2024 Youth Basketball Camp last Monday, June 24 through Wednesday, June 26, at the MHS Old Gym.

The week featured 61 campers from third grade to seventh grade who were led by Malta M-ette Head Coach Nate Hammond, Assistant Coach Shane Anderson as well as former M-ette Allison Kunze, current M-ettes Denvyr Tuss, and Emree Stuart. and Mustangs Dawson Hammond and Mason Simanton.

"Last year we only had 17 for our girls camp, so we kind of were thinking of not doing it," Coach Hammond said. "We talked to a few people and they said it would be nice if we did a camp with the boys and girls."

The camp in the past was girls only from third grade to eighth grade.

With the amount of kids at the camp, Coach Hammond knows that it would have been nice to utilize the MHS Gymnasium, which has had some flooding issues, but he was appreciative that there was another location in town to use.

"Thank God that we still have this (old) gym in town," Coach Hammond said.

Coach Hammond asked about the dynamics of having boys and girls together.

"We just let the boys and girls compete," Coach Hammond said. "Until kids get into junior high or high school, it doesn't make a lot of difference. They just go against each other and seem to do pretty well."

Coach Hammond said that in becoming a boys and girls camp, he knew that he would have to bring along a Mustang or two. Those Mustangs were his son Dawson Hammond and Mason Simanton.

"Mason just showed them how to do a two-hand dunk behind the back, so we will see if any of the kids will figure that out," Coach Hammond said jokingly. "They enjoy having the boys here and of course they all know Allison, Denvyr and Emree."

On the first day, the campers spent time on layups, ball-handling, shooting, and passing. The second day the campers were provided with an emphasis on post moves, guard moves, blockouts, rebounds, and defense.

3rd Grade: 1 on 1 Champ - Taos Anderson. Hot Shot Champ - Taos Anderson. Free Throw Champ - Chet Prestwich.

4-5 Grade: 1 on 1 Champ - Taije Stiles. Hot Shot Champ - Tryan Anderson. Free Throw Champ - River Simonson.

6-7 Grade: 1 on 1 Champ - Brooklyn Simanton. Hot Shot Champ Jaxson Tollefson. Free Throw Champ - Hennessey Williamson.