A special team becomes champions

GREAT FALLS — There are moments in sports when things just come together. When dreams are realized and history is made. The 2014 Havre High girls basketball team had one of those moments Saturday night Great Falls.

In beating the Hamilton Broncs 52-43 Saturday night at the Four Seasons Arena, the Havre girls were crowned Class A state champions for the first time since 1997. That team, coached by Dennis Murphy and led by Loree Payne, one of the greatest female basketball players in Montana prep history, wasn’t just the last team to win a state championship, but was also the last HHS team to ever even play for a title.

But that all changed Saturday night. And just like back in 1997, Havre is now the best Class A girls basketball team in Montana and the Ponies have the trophy, the nets and the memories to prove it.

“We just had to focus up and get more stop at the end,” said senior Peyton Filius. “That was all it was, we just had to refocus. We had the game under control the whole time, we just had to tighten up, keep finding the open girl, and we had the answer for them every time they made a run.”

The Ponies had all the answers Saturday night. Every time Hamilton got close, Havre answered, whether it was the amazing show put on by Brandy Lambourne, a 3-pointer by Filius to start the second half, a late layup by Lacey Waid, an early one by Haley Ohm, five free throws late by Morgan Mazurkiewicz, or her finding sister Tori wide open underneath the basket, a relentless and suffocating defense, or just the spirit, confidence and determination the Ponies played with all weekend long, Havre continually had answers.

“I think the focus and drive of our seniors led us here,” noted HHS head coach Dustin Kraske. “Our senior leadership at the end of the year was incredible. And every player on this team knew their role, accepted their role and went out every game determined to help this team be as successful as possible. I’m very proud of every player on this team for that. This group is special, they truly are a team.”

Special only begins to describe what Havre achieved this weekend in Great Falls. The Ponies didn’t just beat Hamilton Saturday night, or Laurel Friday night or Frenchtown Thursday, for three days in Great Falls, Havre was simply the very best Class A basketball team in Montana, and no one will every be able to take that away from them.

“It is amazing, this is a great experience, and I am so glad that I got to play with this team,” said sophomore Dani Wagner, who was one of the key contributors for the Ponies all weekend long. “Brandy, Peyton, Lacey, Haley, Breck (Don), they push me every day, and it was just awesome. This is so awesome.”

Indeed. Saturday night was awesome for everyone involved with the Blue Ponies and Havre High athletics. History was accomplished in the Four Seasons Arena, and Kraske, while earning his first state championship, in what has already been a long and successful coaching career, knew exactly what his players felt Saturday night, and exactly what they’ll feel for the rest of their lives. That’s because 20 years ago, he was part of the same kind of history as a player on the 1994 Havre High boys state championship team.

“There’s no greater feeling than what they’re feeling right now,” Kraske said. “For me personally, these kids make this what it is. They are such great kids, they make it easy to coach them. It’s been very special to coach each and every one of them.

“To win one as a player,” he continued. “I know exactly what they’re feeling right now. And it’s a great, great feeling.”