Pony girls win at GFH

Sweeping a Class AA opponent is not an every season occurrence for any Class A program. So when the Havre High girls basketball team had the opportunity to complete the season sweep of Great Falls High Thursday night in Great Falls, the Blue Ponies made sure they made it count.

And make it count they did. The Ponies got spectacular efforts from both Dani Wagner, who scored 26 points and Morgan Mazurkiewicz, who added 22 points as they went on the road and knocked off GFH 62-56. The win was the seventh straight for the third-ranked Ponies, and improved their overall record to 10-2, while they remain 6-0 in the Central A.

At this point, the Ponies have gone 27 days without losing a basketball game and even though Thursday's win over the Bison was harder than most, as the Ponies had to rally from a three-point halftime deficit, Havre just continues to find ways to win games, regardless of the circumstances.

"I think it speaks a lot to the composure and maturity of our kids, especially down the stretch," HHS head coach Dustin Kraske said. "Late in the game, we were up three and turned the ball over. Then we had to go get a stop and a rebound and take care of the basketball. We get fouled and Morgan goes to the line and makes her free throws. Naomi (Terry) goes to the line and makes hers throws and Dani goes to the line and makes hers. So it was multiple kids and our whole team playing under control and within themselves to do the little things that it takes to be successful."

The win also ensured the rare season sweep of GFH, one of Havre's biggest rivals. Yet, as far as Kraske is concerned the fact that his team continues to improve is what matters, not necessarily winning or beating the Bison for the second time this season.

"Honestly, I am just happy that our team continues to play better," Kraske said. "If that equals a sweep over Great Falls High, then good for us, I am happy for our kids."

After falling to the Ponies by 14 earlier this season in Havre, the Bison were determined to avoid a second straight loss to HHS and it showed early as they jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first quarter. Yet, midway through the second the Ponies started to creep back into it and trimmed the lead to 21-16 before getting within three points at halftime with the score 31-28 in favor of GFH. Then in the third, Havre started to pick things up, particularly on the defensive end and outscored the Bison in the third stanza 14-9 to grab a 42-40 lead with eight minutes remaining.

In the fourth quarter, the two teams battled back and forth. Havre led by as much as five at one point at 47-42 but was having trouble stretching the lead further, and after a score by Great Falls High with just over two minutes left got the Bison within three, it was anyone's game. But from that point, the Havre defense clamped down. The Bison had a chance to tie the game but the Ponies got the stop they needed, then Havre made six straight free throws, two from Mazurkiewicz, two from Wagner and two from Naomi Terry to ice the six-point win.

"We were down by three at half, but we came out and played much better defensively in the second half," Kraske said. "We got some easy transition baskets which help us get our confidence back. We were really patient on offense, we worked the ball from side to side and made some plays down the stretch.

"Our kids did a really good job. Dani had 26, Morgan had 22, they both came to play," he added. "Dani is starting to realize what is expected of her and that is to be aggressive and look to score every time she touches the ball. But also in the second half we got great efforts from (Lindsey) Kudrna and Holly Purkett. And really it was a total team effort."

Havre will be back in action Saturday night inside the HHS gymnasium, when the Ponies will shoot for their eighth straight win against AA rival CMR. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Havre 62, Great Falls High 56

Havre 10 18 14 20 – 62

GFH 13 18 9 16 – 56

Havre – Ceyera Plante 2 0-0 5, Dani Wagner 8 9-11 26, Morgan Mazurkiewicz 5 8-10 22, Naomi Terry 0 4-6 4, Holly Purkett 1 0-0 2, Lindsey Kudrna 1 1-2 3. Totals: 17 22-29.

GFH – Morgan Evans 1 0-0 2, Hannah Collins 6 6-9 19, Gabby Fought 2 0-02 5, Nora Klick 2 2-4 6, LynDee Feisthamel 5 1-3 11, Marrisa Meyer 1 0-0 2, Danielle Devlin 1 0-0 2, Emma Madsen 3 2-3 8, Savannah Kiser 0 1-2 1. Totals: 21 12-21.