Harlem 2-2 after losses to Malta, Wolf Point

The Harlem girls varsity basketball team saw their record evened at 2-2 following a pair of defeats to the Malta M-ettes 67-14 and Wolf Point Wolves 73-48 over the weekend

The Malta M-ettes are the defending Class B State Champions and return basically the same team from a year ago. They also were Harlem's first conference opponent as District 2B play got underway this past weekend.

Harlem head coach Laramie Schwenke was exited to have her team 2-0 following a pair of victories at the Native American Classic to begin the season but she was well aware of the task in front of them when they faced Malta. "I tried to prepare them for what was coming, but it's something you can't mimic or simulate in practice and they're very good at what they do, especially on the defensive end."

The team showed signs of improvement over the weekend and Schwenke was happy with how her team responded, "We were a little better in the second half (against Malta), and we will learn from it and move on," added Schwenke.

The Wolf Point Wolves came to town as the girls got to play in front of the home town crowd for the first time Saturday afternoon.

Wolf Point was perfect through three games on the season and presented yet another stiff test to the young Wildcats.

Harlem was ready to play Saturday afternoon and while the final score was 73-48, Schwenke had her own thoughts on her teams effort, "It was a lot closer came than the score indicates. We started out with good energy and our execution was pretty solid on both ends of the floor."

The Wolves made a living at the charity stripe, "We put them at the line way to much but it was a nine point game at the half (24-33) but they started with a 6-0 run and carried momentum into the fourth," said Schwenke.

"Overall I thought we played hard and executed, we just need to clean up the fouls and put the ball in the basket," Schwenke added.

"I'm very proud of the way the kids responded against Wolf Point. They put out solid effort and energy throughout the game. It's gonna take some time but I think we are making steps in the right direction," concluded Schwenke.

Harlem's game against Rocky Boy on Monday will be covered in next week's Journal.

The Wildcats will return to the court January 2 when they travel to Cut Bank. The team will host Chinook on January 8.