Blue Pony boys fall to powerful CMR Rustlers

The Havre High boys basketball team ran into the CMR Rustlers for the second time this season, but the Blue Ponies could not take down the Class AA powerhouse.

Saturday in Great Falls, the Central A Ponies took on the Class AA Rustlers in non conference play. But with the Rustlers sinking the Ponies 74-49, the Ponies dropped to 3-10 overall. CMR also completed the season sweep over the Ponies, defeating HHS 68-41 in early December.

"They (Rustlers) are tall, athletic, quick, and they shoot very well," Havre High head coach Curt Leeds said. "You can see why they are one of the top two team's in the state."

It wasn't a good start for Havre High, making a comeback nearly impossible against a talented team like the Rustlers.

CMR rolled through the first quarter, holding a sturdy 24-6 lead over the Ponies. And the Pony defense couldn't slow the Rustlers down nearly enough, as they went on to score 17 in the second quarter, 15 in the third, and 18 in the fourth. A big reason for the Rustlers success was their 62 percent shooting ability from behind the three-point line. They were 10-of-16 against Pony defense. The Ponies also struggled to rebound, bringing down 17 total boards, while CMR grabbed 31.

After a six-point first quarter, the ponies did get better offensive production as the night continued. They trailed 41-16 at the break, but was able to add 19 in the third quarter and 14 in the final frame. Kade Rismon led the Pony efforts with 18, but had a solid supporting cast in Nate Rismon and Dane Warp. Both Nate Rismon and Warp scored 12 points each. Nate Rismon also knocked down three treys, and led the Ponies with five assists.

"In the first half, we didn't execute or shoot the ball very well," Leeds said. "But in the second half we turned things around by executing better and shooting better."

Saturday's loss meant back-to-back losses to two very talented Great Falls squads. The Ponies will look to continue to get better, but go from very good Class AA competition, to very good Class B competition.

Tuesday night, the Ponies will host the Class B Malta Mustangs at 7 p.m.

C.M. Russell High 74, Havre 49

Havre 6 10 19 14 – 49

CMR 24 17 15 18 – 74

Havre – Nate Rismon 4-7 1-2 12, Dane Warp 5-15 1-3 12, Brian Smith 0-2 2-2 2, Ramsey Drew 1-3 0-0 3, Kade Rismon 8-15 1-1 18, Jase kato 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 19-48 5-8 49.

CMR – Jayse McLean 5-8 2-2 15, Daekwon Carter 3-3 0-0 7, Josh Horner 3-3 0-0 6, Tanner Olsen 1-2 0-0 3, Joey Marzion 9-14 0-0 20, Dylan Halverson 1-2 0-0 2, Andre Langhorne 1-1 2-2 5, Mason Storm 1-5 0-2 2, Eric Dawson 5-7 0-0 12, Gabe Kuntz 1-2 0-0 2, Totals: 30-50 4-6 74.

3-pointers: Havre 6-13 (N. Rismon 3-5, Faber 0-3, Warp 1-1, Smith 0-1, Drew 1-2, K. Rismon 1-1), CMR 10-16 (McLean 3-4, Carter 1-1, Olsen 1-1, Marzion 2-5, Halverson 0-1, Langhorne 1-1, Dawson 2-3). Total fouls: Havre 6, CMR 13.