Great Falls High too much for Pony boys

Sometimes the tight ones just get away from a team.

The Havre High boys basketball team found itself neck and neck early on with Class AA Great Falls High in Great Falls, but eventually the overpowering Bison ran away with the nonconference victory.

Thursday night in Great Falls, the Bison defeated the Central A Blue Ponies 77-55. The loss brings the Ponies to 5-8 overall this season.

After the Bison got off to a 16-9 first quarter lead, the Ponies battled back behind the efforts of Dane Warp and Kade Rismon. The Ponies outscored the Bison 19-18 in the second frame, and after an early run, the Ponies even tied things up at 28-28. But a 6-0 run by the Bison to close the first half meant a 34-28 lead for a Bison team that got hotter and hotter through the second half.

Great Falls High outscored the Ponies 43-27 in the final 16 minutes. And with so many offensive weapons, the Bison are tough to slow down. Matt Wyman led the Bison with 20 points, but Brendan Howard also scored 19, followed by Lukas Vining with 17 and Jake Wetzel with 14.

Warp was back to his old self with a game-high 26 points, but he also got help from Kade Rismon’s 12. The rest of the offense struggled. Jase Kato finished with seven, and Nate Rismon scored six, while Brian Smith and Nate Korb scored just two points each.

GFH earned yet another season sweep of Havre, and the Ole’ Goat will remain at the Swarthout Fieldhouse for yet another season. The Bison ensured that when they beat HHS in Havre back in December.

Havre will look to get back in the win column against another tough Class AA opponent Saturday. The Ponies will host the CMR Rustlers at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Havre High gymnasium.

Great Falls High 77, Havre 55

Havre 9 19 12 15 – 55

Great Falls 16 18 25 18 – 77

Havre – Nate Rismon 2 2-3 6, Dane Warp 10 3-5 26, Brian Smith 1 0-0 2, Nate Korb 1 0-0 2, Jase Kato 3 1-1 7, Kade Rismon 5 2-2 12. Totals: 22 8-11.

Great Falls – Bryce Clark 1 0-0 2, Lukas Vining 7 3-5 17, Lester Johnson 2 1-3 5, Matt Wyman 9 2-3 20, Brendan Howard 8 3-5 19, Jake Wetzel 5 0-0 14. Totals: 32 9-16.

Total fouls – Havre 12, Great Falls 16. Fouled out – none. 3-pointers – Warp 3, Wetzel 4.