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Central Montcalm High School senior Emily Putnam is the first woman to join Montcalm Community College’s women’s basketball team. 

“It means so much because I’ve always wanted to go beyond high school,” Putnam said. 

The 18-year-old has been a shooting guard on Central Montcalm’s varsity basketball team for the past four years. She is looking forward to making new friends and having fun. 

“It’s very local and I’ve always wanted to play college basketball,” Putnam said. 

At MCC, she plans to study business management. She thinks the most challenging part of college will be time management between academics and athletics. But the relationships she will form are something she is looking forward to. 

“I like all the friendships you make that you have for a lifetime,” she said. 

Coach Steve Ernst is looking forward to the first season of basketball at MCC. 

“I am confident that Emily will be a team first leader,” Ernst said. “Like all the ladies that we bring in, she will play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. It is exciting to have such a tremendous student/athlete who is also a local talent lead the way.” 

He said things have been going well on the recruiting trail. 

“The opportunity to play high level women's basketball at such a wonderful place full of caring individuals is a message that is easy to sell,” he said. “When families visit MCC they are excited about the college and what we have to offer both academically and athletically.” 

In her spare time, Putnam likes to hang out with friends and family, hunt, fish and just be outdoors. She drives and maintains tractors at Sackett Ranch.