Blue Pony girls rock Rangers, Panthers

Somehow, the Havre High girls basketball team continues to outdo itself.

This past weekend was no exception as the Central A Blue Ponies dominated their two conference games.

The Ponies spent two days on the road and returned home with two more conference wins, and are now 6-0 and still in first place in the league standings.. Friday night, the Ponies dominated Livingston 58-16 in Livingston, and Saturday, the Ponies kept rolling with a dominating win over Belgrade, 66-33.

Overall, it was a great weekend for the Ponies as they continue to push for another conference title and state berth,

“Our kids have played so well lately,” Havre High head coach Dustin Kraske said, “so it was nice to see them continue to play well. We talked during the week about continuing to play how we play, not concerning ourselves too much with the score, just go out and play to the high expectations that we have for ourselves. Our kids did a nice job of that.”

Giving up just 16 points in a varsity basketball game was an impressive showing by the HHS defense in Livingston.

The Ponies' up-tempo style and constant pressure gave up just two points in both the first and third quarters, respectively. Livingston also scored just six in the second and fourth quarters as the Ponies proved to be too tough all around for the Rangers.

On the flip side, Havre’s offense scored at least 16 in all but the fourth quarter. The Ponies were paced by Brandy Lambourne’s 20 points and Morgan Mazurkiewicz’s 12.

Havre’s offensive production continued Saturday when Lambourne led the way with another 25 points. Morgan Mazurkiewicz kicked in 10 and Dani Wagner finished with eight. It was good to see that the Ponies played well through eight straight quarters, finding ways to score points while the defense continued to slam the door in the face of opposition.

Belgrade’s 33 points was nowhere near good enough to keep pace.

“Our kids were in the passing lanes, they communicated very well, and rotated very well on defense,” Kraske said. “It was just a great effort all the way around and on both ends of the floor. The scores were lopsided, but we still got after each other to play well. We didn’t expect anybody to let up because of the scores. At halftime we talked about wanting our defense to be better, and we came out and gave up four points in the third quarter against Belgrade. It was good that our girls made the decision to play how we play, and not lessen our enthusiasm because of the score.”

Havre’s unselfish play has propelled the Ponies into an already successful regular season. And with two conference games left, the Ponies have put themselves into a great position to finish in first place heading into the postseason. With one more conference win the Ponies will clinch the No. 1 seed in the Central A. tournament next month.

Thursday, the Ponies will be back in action when they host Great Falls High. And Saturday, the Ponies will face CMR in Great Falls.

Havre 58, Livingston 16

Havre 18 16 18 6 - 58

Livingston 2 6 2 6 – 16

Havre – Breck Don 2, Brandy Lambourne 20, Dani Wagner 2, Morgan Mazurkiewicz 12, Lacey Waid 5, Peyton Filius 7, Tori Mazurkieiwcz 3, Haley Ohm 5.

Livingston – Megan Schoenen 4, Hailey Peterson 2, Meadow Ingram 4, Chelsea Woods 4, Mariel Kelley 2.

Havre 66, Belgrade 33

Havre 16 19 18 13 – 66

Belgrade 9 12 4 8 – 33

Havre - Brandy Lambourne 25, Dani Wagner 8, Morgan Mazurkiewicz 10, Lacy Waid 7, Peyton Fillius 7, Tori Mazurkiewicz 7, Haley Ohm 2.

Belgrade - Kindall Bethke 2, Sadie Reddick 1, Alexis Clingingsmith 7, Madison Page 2, Erin Singleton 6, Tanna Holliday 12, Shaylee Ragar 2, Jamie Woolman 1.