Havre's Miller, Chinook girls capture state tennis titles

The weekend was kind to area players and tennis teams, as both the Havre Blue Ponies and Chinook Sugarbeeters found state tennis success.

Friday in Billings, HHS sophomore Jeff Miller captured the Class A boys singles state championship, beating Corvallis' D.J. Pekoc in the championship match. Miller, who became the fifth player in Havre High history to win a boys singles championship, helped vault the Ponies to an outstanding third-place finish. Also helping out was the senior doubles team of Ned Malone and Brian Smith, who placed fifth on Friday.

The Pony boys scored 21 points, finishing only behind state champion Billings Central and second-place Corvallis. The HHS girls finished in fifth place and got all 10 of their points from senior Brandy Lambourne, who finished a stellar third in the girls singles draw.

Meanwhile, on Saturday in Missoula, the Chinook girls tennis team secured its second Class B-C state championship in the last four years. The Beeters rode a state single's championship from Mariah Swank and a third-place finish by Brooke Nicholson to 35 points and the B-C title, the second for head coach Thom MacLean.

For complete coverage of all the state tennis action, see Tuesday and Wednesday's Havre Daily News.