Havre High boys Central A run ends with two overtime losses

The season has to come to an end at one point or another, but the way the Havre High boys basketball season ended was hard on everybody.

The Central A Blue Ponies spent the weekend in Belgrade where they competed in the Central A divisional tournament. HHS entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and earned a first round bye. They were set up to have a successful run in the postseason tournament, but unfortunately went two and out with two very close overtime losses.

In the semifinals on Friday, the Ponies fell to the No. 3 Browning Indians 70-65 in overtime. And in loser-out action in the consolation bracket, the Ponies then fell to No. 5 Belgrade Panthers 57-53 in overtime on Saturday.

"You lose two overtime games and it's just so devastating for the kids," Havre High head coach Andy Smith said. "Especially the semifinal game. But with two overtime losses, two close overtime losses, a basket here or there, a turnover less or a loose ball to go our way changes everything, it's just a fine line between winning and losing. That's what's so disappointing about the whole thing; we were right there and came up just short. But I was proud of the kids, they played so hard in both games and have nothing to hang their heads about."

Facing the Indians on Friday, the Ponies had to battle back after a slow start. The Indians came out and took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter and eventually led 18-9 after the first eight minutes. And at halftime, the Indians held a 35-25 lead over the Ponies. But in the second half the Ponies stormed back with 15 points in the third quarter and 18 in the fourth to push for a period of overtime.

"We kind of looked shell shocked to be honest," Smith said. "Browning went up on us 8-0 right off the bat and it looked like some of the kids were nervous with this being their first big divisional tournament game. It just took us a while to get going."

But once in overtime, the Ponies were without their two biggest offensive weapons as they were outscored 12-7.

Anfernee Standing Rock who had 11 points fouled out at the end of regulation. And Logan Connor, who eventually finished the game with 19 points missed the majority of the fourth quarter with cramps in his calves.

Overall, the Pony offense played well. Brandon Smith had one of his biggest games of the year with 17 points. And Ryan Myers pitched in eight while Ryan Brandt added six and Drew Kafka finished with four.

It was a tough and emotional loss for HHS, especially after holding the lead with eight seconds left in regulation. But the Ponies didn't have any time to dwell on the loss as they had to turn right around and face the Panthers on Saturday Morning.

But in another very close game, the Ponies' tournament and season came to an end with yet another tough overtime loss.

Facing the Panthers, the Ponies had to overcome another slow start as the Panthers took a 15-6 lead after the first quarter. But the Panthers looked fresh and ready to play after getting Friday off, while the Ponies entered the game flat.

But once again the Ponies battled from behind. They put together a 14-point second quarter to trail by nine at the half and outscored the Panthers 17-10 in the third. The Ponies utilized the first two minutes of the third quarter to crawl within two. Brandt hit a quick trey and Connor with the same. And Standing Rock worked his way inside for an easy two.

HHS then outscored the Panthers 11-9 in the fourth to force the extra time. The Ponies were down by three points at the end of regulation, but Connor drove to the basket for two points and the foul. He converted the three-point play and tied the contest at 48-48.

Once in overtime the Ponies struggled. They had some costly turnovers by a surprising few that resulted in some easy transition buckets for the Panthers. And after being outscored 9-5 the Ponies' season came to an end.

"Belgrade came out very aggressive to start the game and we looked like we came out sluggish after the loss to Browning," Smith said. "And in overtime we looked like we were just out of gas. Some of those turnovers were just uncharacteristic, but once again I thought we showed some real resiliency to battle back like we did."

This time around Connor led with 22 points and Standing Rock followed with 10. Smith added even and Kafka finished with six.

Overtime losses are always tough for a team, but suffering two that end your season are always harder. And coach Smith feels for the kids, especially with how hard they have worked this season with the goal of reaching the state tournament.

"It was disappointing," Smith said. "I didn't get to see the kids reach that goal. They were so determined to get to state and to see them come up short was hard as a coach. But I was pleased with their efforts, they worked so hard everyday to get better."

The Blue Ponies' season ends with a 9-11 overall record.

Browning 70, Havre 65 OT (SF)

Browning 18 17 8 15 12 – 70

Havre 9 16 15 18 7 – 65

Browning – Jonathan Skunkcap 2, Jonathan Hall 6, Josiah Davis 8, Charles Old Chief 21, Dontreli Spoonhunter 4, Glen Hall 4, Deejay Lazyboy 12, Cliff Ollinger 13.

Havre – Logan Connor 19, Ryan Myers 8, Ryan Brandt 6, Brandon Smith 17, Anfernee Standing Rock 11, Andrew Kafka 4.

Belgrade 57, Havre 53 OT (lo)

Belgrade 15 14 10 9 9 - 57

Havre 6 14 17 11 5 — 53

Belgrade — Diebold 2 0-0 4, Taylor 3 7-8 16, Elliott 3 2-7 11, Buti 4 4-5 12, Reichert 4 1-3 9, Page 1 0-0 3. Totals: 17 16-25 57.

Havre — Logan Connor 10 1-2 22, Ryan Myers 1 0-0 2, Ryan Brandt 2 0-0 4, Kade Barsotti 0 0-0 0, Corderro Strickland 0 2-2 2, Brandon Smith 3 0-0 7, Anfernee Standing Rock 5 0-0 10, Drew Kafka 3 0-0 6. Totals: 24 3-4 53.

3-point goals: Bel 7 (Taylor 3, Elliott 3, Page 1), Hav 2 (Connor, Smith). Rebounds: Bel 31, Hav 27. Fouls: Bel 11, Hav 18.