M-ettes claim three games

The Malta M-ettes are off to a hot start this calendar year as they were able to pick up three wins last week including a decisive win in their 2016-17 home opener against the Harlem Ladycats last Wednesday night in Malta. They also defeated the Rocky Boy Northern Stars 62-39 in Rocky Boy and the Roundup Panthers 51-27 on Saturday night in Malta.

The team will square off against their 2B foe Glasgow Lady Scotties in Glasgow on Friday Night. They will then come home to defend their home court against the Shelby Coyotes on Saturday night.

Sophia Stiles had a strong triple double in the team's win against Rocky Boy, racking up 29 points, 11 steals, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Jada Nicholson had 16 points and eight rebounds. Eva Harms had nine points and nine rebounds.

In the team's win over Harlem, the M-ettes gave the home fans a reason to celebrate as the team looked in control throughout, which was evidenced by their 23-3 effort in the first quarter. The win was Malta's first home game of the 2016-17 season.

"It's really exciting," Stiles said. "I was waiting and waiting for a home game. It's just really fun to play in front of our fans. It makes it a lot better experience."

The M-ettes had experienced tough away games, which included a very hostile game against Poplar.

"It was very, very loud," Stiles said. "And they were right on top of you; it felt like anyways. It's a short-little gym and everyone is packed in there and it was loud."

Stiles led Malta in scoring nine of her 21 points in the first quarter. Stiles also had six steals, four assists and two blocks.

Nicholson also had an impressive outing scoring 11 points, racking up six assists and two blocks. Shay Garfield scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds. Harms had seven points, nine rebounds and two steals.

"I just think that we all worked together and played really good defense," Stiles said.

Stiles has been a key part of a stellar M-ette team, though this year Stiles has played with new faces due to graduation.

"It's definitely different and they definitely have to step up to fill some pretty big shoes but I think everyone is working really well together," Stiles said. "I think everyone is working really well together. People seem to be working hard in practice and I think they are ready to step up."

Senior Raleigh Hunter made a start at home for the first time of her career.

"It's kind of been a rush but at the same time it's just another game that you are out there to play and work your hardest," Hunter said.

Sophomore Taylor Eggebrecht had another perspective as a young post player.

"It clearly makes us better as players," Eggebrecht said. "I am extremely grateful to be playing up with the level of talent they have."

Being younger than the upperclassmen, Eggebrecht has had a rare chance to play with proven players and players she grew up with.

"I've always played with my same group of girls since third grade and being able to play with them at a different level with different talent is great. We all have to adjust to their way of playing but I think we have made it work over summer basketball and now we're just ready to go."

Hunter shed some light on things the team worked on during the break.

"During break we worked on our man defense and a lot of box-and-one offenses because that's what killed us in Poplar. They played box-and-one on us on offense and we didn't know how to respond to that."

In their win against Roundup, Malta was led by Stiles who had 13 points, six assists, five steals and three blocks.

Nicholson had 13 points. Harms had eight rebounds, nine points and four steals.