Tipoff: Pony girls host Rustlers in home debut

Housing maybe the strongest overall roster in years, the Havre high girls basketball team will finally get the long awaited season underway this weekend. But it won’t be the easiest start to a season, as the Blue Ponies have to open with two very tough non-conference opponents.

Tonight, the Central A Blue Ponies will be in Malta to take on the Class B Malta M-Ettes. And on Saturday the Ponies will make their debut at the Havre High gymnasium when they host the Class AA CMR Rustlers of Great Falls. CMR and Havre will tip off at 5 p.m.

A year ago, the Ponies started the season with the same two opponents. Malta defeated the Ponies 47-44 and CMR defeated Havre 52-48 in overtime. But the 0-2 start to the season did not hinder the Ponies who would eventually take their season into the State A semifinals. And winning or losing isn’t the most important thing this weekend either, as the Ponies still continue to worry about themselves and gearing up for the conference portion of the schedule.

“We aren’t preparing for Malta or CMR,” Havre High head coach Dustin Kraske said. “We are just trying to get better at what we do. The kids have been playing well and had a really good practice this week. The kids are excited for a game finally, and are tired of beating on each other. I am excited to watch them play, and I think they are such a great group that this will be a good weekend for us. Win, lose, whatever, we are just looking to execute our game and get better every time we are on the floor.”

The M-Ettes are down, but not out, in the Class B ranks.

Under the guidance of the new head coach Nate Hammond, the M-Ettes return key players like Mercedes Stiles, and should push the Ponies like they have so many times over the years.

“(Hammond) is a good head coach,” Kraske said. “His teams always play well, and he is always very well-prepared. I would expect Malta to play well, they have good kids and are a great basketball community. But we are preparing for a little bit of everything from Malta.”

HHS is not only preparing, but also hoping for a little bit of everything from both Malta and CMR.

The Rustlers also have a new head coach, but return Taylor Edwards, a very talented guard who will test the Ponies’ offense and defense. And just like the M-Ettes, the Rustlers should show the Ponies zone and man looks on defense, as well a fast pace and physical play with their offense. But no matter what each opponent throws at Havre, the Ponies should be equipped to handle it and have a counter.

Havre is led by a very talented guard group including starters Peyton Filius, Brandy Lambourne, Lacey Waid and Morgan Mazurkiewicz. Add in Haley Ohm’s ability to run the floor from the post position, and the Ponies have the ability to slow down and chip away at a defense, or speed up and run the floor. The defense can also run a very aggressive press, as well settle in and take away the passing lanes and limit shots.

No matter what the Ponies see, they should be able to handle it this weekend, and moving forward this season.

“We haven’t spent hardly any time talking about Malta or CMR,” Kraske said. “It is my opinion that it is too early in the year to be focusing on the other team. We are spending all of our time trying to figure out who we are, how we play, and how we can play better every day. These should both be good games. It is nice we are playing at home, we are pretty happy about that. Three of our first four games are at home and that is always good for our kids.”

The Ponies are in Malta to take on the M-Ettes tonight at and will return home to host the CMR Rustlers at 5 p.m. Saturday.