M-ettes Win Three Straight

The Malta M-ette basketball team picked up a trio of victories to start off the new year, including a game in which Malta used their reserves longer than their starters.

"It feels pretty good to be able to come back from losing to Havre and being back here with three straight wins," Freshman guard Neva Jacobson told the PCN.

Jacobson, who typically is the team's sixth man, was asked what has been the key to their start in 2023.

"Probably our defense, our patience with the ball, and taking care of it," Jacobson said.

The M-ettes defeated the Glasgow Lady Scotties 48-30 in Glasgow on Tuesday, January 3, during their Color Rush event in which both schools donned their Away jerseys. Malta wore blue and Glasgow wore red.

Malta went on to defeat the Rocky Boy Lady Stars 75-21 on Thursday, January 5, in Malta, and then the Roundup Lady Panthers 58-13 in Malta on Saturday, January 7.

The M-ettes went 0-for-8 from three point range, but were 26-of-55 (47%) from the floor in their win over Roundup.

Junior Gracie Honey was asked what was the key to the M-ettes' victory over Roundup.

"Our defense and waiting for a good shot," Honey said.

Having jumped into a 29-0 lead after the first period, the team's reserves saw an early and expanded role in the game.

"It felt good to (play more)," Honey said. "I love playing basketball."

The team was led by senior Maddie Williamson and Neva Jacobson who had nearly identical stats. Both had 12 points, four steals, four assists, and two rebounds.

Elly Anderson had 10 points, two rebounds, and one steal. Denvyr Tuss had seven rebounds, six points, and two steals. Kelbee Nelson had six points, five rebounds, and three assists. Gracie Honey had four points, and two steals. Addy Anderson had three points, six rebounds, and two steals. Brylee French had three points, three steals, and two assists. Giona Lamb had four rebounds and two points. Addison Ulrich had two points and two rebounds.

Honey was asked what she learned on the court after playing more minutes against the Lady Panthers.

"I learned that we could be very patient and we could control ourselves," Honey said.

The M-ettes outscored Roundup 41-1 in the first quarter and 17-12 in the second half.

In Malta's win over Rocky Boy, the M-ettes outscored the Lady Stars 24-7 in the first quarter, 11-6 in the second, 22-4 in the third, and 18-4 in the fourth.

Allie Kunze led Malta with 22 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Anderson had 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Williamson had 11 points, seven steals, five assists, and four rebounds. Jacobson had nine points, five steals, four assists, and four rebounds.

In Malta's win over Glasgow, the M-ettes were led by Williamson who had 19 points, eight steals, and four rebounds. Kunze had 10 rebounds, eight points, three assists, and two steals. Tuss had 10 rebounds and eight points.

Malta had 18 second chance points in the win, and 23 points off of the 21 turnovers that they forced.

"We are rolling pretty good right now," Honey said. "Our coaches are very good and we have a good team. We will just keep working."