SSHS senior named Athlete of the Week

SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan High School Senior Tegan Mauldin was voted the Missoulian's Prep Athlete of the Week March 2. Mauldin tallied 44 points over four divisional basketball games in Frenchtown, including 16 in a loser-out game and 12 in the third-place game, both team highs.

Mauldin did not starting playing basketball at Seeley Lake Elementary until junior high.

"I didn't want to be in front of people, that was terrifying," Maudlin said.

She decided to go out for the team in seventh grade because of a guy she liked. Through the support from friends, family and staff at SLE elementary school, Mauldin learned how to deal with her stress and anxiety.

"Ultimately it was God that gave me the ability to overcome that and make basketball a huge part of my life," said Mauldin who fell in love with basketball and it is now her outlet. "He gave me the gift and the ability, I just had to put in the work."

Mauldin played the post position through junior high and her freshman year in high school. She started lifting as a freshman to stay in shape, get stronger and build her endurance.

"I picked up a barbell for the first time and I haven't put it down since," Mauldin said. "You want to be able to push past people. If they get their arms on you when you are taking a shot, you want to be able to muscle your way through that."

When David Cahoon started as the Lady Blackhawk's head coach Mauldin's sophomore year, he moved her to shooting guard.

"I remember watching [Steph Curry] and saying I want to do that," Mauldin said adding Curry is a "sharp-shooter" in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. "I just grew into my role as a shooting guard and power forward. I love hearing the net – the sound that it makes when it swishes is just the best sound ever."

As an underclassman playing junior varsity, Mauldin said some really great seniors encouraged her. She would go shoot in the gym before school her sophomore and junior year and in the summer she would intentionally go shoot when it was hot.

"I don't like being out in the sun but if I go out there, I know I can shoot when I'm uncomfortable or I can play through whatever I don't want to do," Mauldin said.

Instead of practicing for a certain amount of time, Mauldin "counts my makes. I won't leave until I've made that many shots."

In a workout she likes to make five from each spot on the three-point line, 10 in the mid-range and layups and she "always ends on a make."

When he started, Mauldin said Cahoon changed up the team's playing style from set plays to more of a dribble-drive.

"We just read each other. I think that helped a lot with our chemistry on the court and really helped us in the long run," Mauldin said. "You kind of learn what each person on the court likes to do and where they like to go and how they like to handle the ball."

Mauldin started playing on the varsity team her junior year while still playing full games with the JV. Her senior year she was one of the starters for the Lady Blackhawks, a goal since her sophomore year. She played a combination of shooting guard, power forward and post.

Mauldin said as a senior she tried to include everyone, encourage the underclassmen and be there if they need someone to talk with. She loved hanging out with her teammates, blasting music to get pumped up and having that community around her.

"Shooting is fun, making points, watching the scoreboard climb up and beating other teams is fun but it is those off the court memories that are going to last a long time," Mauldin said. "We just love each other and care for each other."

Having the crowd again this year was also memorable and something she really missed last year during the pandemic when spectators were limited.

"You get so used to having people cheer and having the student section especially," Mauldin said. "The student section is huge, that is so much fun having them there."

Divisional Tournaments was the first time Mauldin had played in true tournament atmosphere. She said the biggest challenge was the mental game - blocking out the announcer and the cheering from the crowd. She was grateful for some lessons she took as an underclassman to help her deal with the external thoughts and helped her focus on playing the game that is in front of her.

Mauldin added that the entire team was sick between District and Divisional tournaments.

"We faced a lot of adversity going into Divisionals. We weren't at full strength and we weren't the whole time," Mauldin said. "We kept up with teams the whole time, sick, down in health and strength. Even though we lost out in the end, we still fought our best and left it all out on the court."

Mauldin said one of her favorite memories from the season was towards the end of the game against West Yellowstone in Divisional Tournaments Feb. 24. Mauldin was on the wing and got the pass from teammate Ava Thornsberry. She set up to shoot when West Yellowstone's Emmie Collins jumped to block the shot.

"I couldn't see the basket anymore but I was already in my shot so I just had to take it," Mauldin said. "I remember her flying by and I just watched the ball go in. That was pretty cool."

This season Mauldin played and scored in all 24 games. She averaged 3.5 baskets per game, 10.5 points per game and was 66% from the free throw line. She scored 20 points in her best game in the Lady Blackhawks' 72-27 win over Victor Dec. 22. Her most three-pointers in one game was five scored against Plains Dec. 4.

Mauldin appreciated the support and encouragement she received from Cahoon and Assistant Coach Colleen Stone. She also credits her family and friends for believing in her and pushing her to work hard.

This was Mauldin's first time being nominated for Athlete of the Week and it was a total surprise that she received it.

"It feels pretty good to know that you are up there with that caliber of players," Mauldin said. "I'm competing with them and knowing that I have made it as far as I have."

Mauldin looks forward to continuing to play basketball in college next year.

Each week, the Missoulian's sports department nominates three boys and three girls for the honor "Prep Athletes of the Week," sponsored by Republic Services.

Readers may vote for one girl and one boy in polls that appear at noon Sunday at Missoulian.com. Voting is open through 5 p.m. on Tuesday.