HHS boys get run over by Class AA Bison

The Havre High boys basketball team continues take positive strides this season, but the Blue Ponies will have to wait a while longer before capturing their first win of the season.

In non-conference play, the Central A Blue Ponies were in Great Falls, taking on the one-loss Class AA Bison Thursday night. The Bison defeated the Ponies 69-43, giving the Ponies a 0-5 record heading into the break.

The Bison, who retained the famed Ole' Goat Trophy for another year with Thursday night's win, used a productive first quarter to jump all over the Ponies. And after the Bison found themselves out in front, the Ponies got stuck playing catch up. GFH outscored HHS 26-11 in the opening eight minutes, before leading the Ponies 41-19 at the half. And to make things worse, the Ponies were held to just five points in the third quarter, while the Bison scored 16 more in the same frame. HHS did outscore the Bison 19-12 in the fourth, but it was too little too late.

Kade Rismon and Dane Warp continue to lead the Blue Pony offense, and did so with 13 points each. Warp also knocked down two 3-pointers. Kody Hickman and Ramsey Drew also combined for 12 points, while Thurman Holdsclaw pitched in with four.

But the Bison proved to have too many weapons for the HHS defense to put a handle on. Jace Andregg led all scorers with 18 points, and Dylan Tatarka followed with 14.

The Ponies may be winless so far, but the improvement is there. They nearly earned a conference split last weekend, and should emerge out of the holiday break ready to play at an even higher level. HHS has two weeks to keep improving, and will be back on the court on in early January. Havre hosts rival Lewistown Jan. 4 and visits Shelby Jan. 5.

Great Falls 69, Blue Ponies 43

Havre 11 8 5 19 — 43

Great Falls 26 15 16 12 — 69

Havre — Kody Hickman 2 1-1 6, Dane Warp 5 1-3 13, Thurman Holdsclaw 2 0-0 4, Kade Rismon 6 1-1 13, Ramsey Drew 2 1-2 6, Nate Rismon 0 1-2 1. Totals: 17 5-9 63.

Great Falls — Bryce Clark 1 0-0 2, Lukas Vining 4 2-2 10, Dylan Tatarka 4 5-7 14, LaRance Racine 3 1-1 8, Jace Andregg 9 0-0 18, Koby Sukut 2 0-2 4, Stan Gopher 4 0-0 9, Matt Wyman 1 0-0 2, Lester Johnson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 29 8-13 69.

Total fouls — Havre 13, Great Falls 9. 3-pointers — Kody Hickman, Dane Warp 2, Ramsey Drew, Dylan Tatarka, LaRance Racine, Stan Gopher. Rebounds — Havre 22 (Dane Warp 5), Great Falls 25 (LaRance Racine 6, Jace Andregg 6).