Pony girls beat Rangers, fall in Belgrade

It has been a while since the Havre High girls basketball team has suffered a loss, and while any loss is tough to swallow, a conference loss is even more difficult.

Over the weekend the Central A Blue Ponies were on the road for two conference games. Friday the Ponies defeated the Livingston Rangers 49-26, but Saturday the Ponies fell to the Belgrade Panthers 53-37. The loss to the Panthers was the first conference loss all season for the Ponies and dropped their still stellar record to 5-1 in the Central A.

The win over the Rangers meant a sweep this season for the Ponies. Earlier in the season the Ponies dismantled the Rangers 65-30 at home. And this time around, beating the Rangers by 23, this win was just as impressive as the Ponies continue to grow as a dominant force.

But the Ponies weren't able to sweep the Panthers this season.

Earlier in the year the Ponies managed to squeak by the Panthers 50-48 at home, and they knew it would be a close game playing in Belgrade. But unfortunately it wasn't as close as HHS had hoped, as the Panthers turned the tables on the Ponies with the big win.

Belgrade jumped out to a 16-12 lead after the first quarter, and had three more big quarters to follow. The Pony offense has been great this season, but couldn't put a stop to the Panthers production, as they went on to score 10 in the second, nine in the third and 18 in the fourth. Justine Taylor and Dylan Fowler hurt the Ponies the last time around, and led the scoring once again, as they both finished with 10 points each. Annie Prickett pitched in nine points, while Morgan Wandler and Leighton Hirsch both added seven points each.

The Ponies offense was alarmingly quiet in the loss. They have gotten better and better as the season progressed, and have relied on scoring from all over the lineup. This time they struggled, as they combined for just 13 points in the second and third quarter, and 12 more in the fourth. Brandy Lambourne led with 10 points and Chanal Standing Rock added nine to lead the Ponies.

HHS is still in good position with a 5-1 conference record, and will get two more games to rebound this weekend in non conference play. Thursday the Ponies will host Great Falls High and Saturday the return to the road to face CMR in Great Falls.

Belgrade 53, Havre 37

Havre 12 7 6 12 — 37

Belgrade 16 10 9 18 — 53

Havre — Brandy Lambourne 3 3-6 10, Kaylie Gilman 0 0-0 0, Jaclyn Evans 0 6-12 6, Morgan Mazurkiewicz 0 3-4 3, Sammy Evans 1 2-4 4, Lacey Waid 0 0-0 0, Peyton Filius 1 2-2 4, Chanal Standing Rock 4 1-2 9, Neya Bischoff 0 1-2 1. Totals: 9 18-32 37.

Belgrade — Annie Prickett 2 5-6 9, Justine Taylor 2 5-11 10, Holly Dahinden 0 0-0 0, Morgan Wandler 3 1-2 7, Leighton Hirsch 3 0-2 7, Dylan Fowler 3 4-6 10, Becca Tilleman 1 0-1 3, Erin Singelton 0 0-0 0, Tanna Holliday 1 0-0 2, Taylor Woolman 2 1-2 5. Totals: 17 16-30 53.