Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Nate Rismon, Havre Basketball

Nate Rismon making the most out of his basketball season after missing the fall with a leg injury

There is no shortage of multi-sport athletes at Havre High School. And one of them, who happens to star on the football field, basketball court and on the track, is junior Nate Rismon.

Coming into his junior season on the gridiron, the future seemed as bright as ever for Rismon, who earned second team All-Conference honors as a sophomore. He also caught a touchdown in the Blue Ponies’ season-opening loss to Whitefish. Only, he didn’t realize until after the game that he did so on a broken leg.

That meant that the football season was over almost before it began for Rismon, who is also a very talented defensive back as well as receiver. Yet, he didn’t let that injury get him down and returned healthy for the start of basketball season.

Fortunately, Rismon, who earned second team All-Conference honors as a basketball player in 2014, has stayed healthy. The junior now reports that he is 100 percent healthy and if you don’t believe him, then just watch him play.

During the regular season, Rismon was second on the team in scoring with 8.8 points per game, while also finishing third on the team and ninth in the Central A in rebounding with 5.5 per game. He also tied for second on the team with a 3-point field goal percentage of 32 percent.

Yet, Rismon was more than just a regular contributor this season and actually registered one of the most exciting moments on the hardwood for Havre as he scored the winning basket in an early season road win over the Conrad Cowboys.

Rismon also played an essential role in getting the Ponies back to the Class A state tournament for the second consecutive season as he scored 13 points and hit two treys in Havre’s 60-41 win over Livingston in a Central A challenge game back on March 9.

Last season Rismon and the Ponies may have been happy just to get to the state tournament but that’s not the case this year. They have their sights set higher, and before the Ponies final practice at home in preparation for Thursday’s opening game against Billings Central at 8 p.m., the Havre Daily News caught up with Rismon for five questions.

HDN: What's the difference between going to state for the first time last year and going now for the second time around?

Rismon: "We are experienced, we only lost a couple starters from last year's team and now, even with the young guys we have, we know what to expect going in."

HDN: What do you think you guys can achieve at the state tournament?

Rismon: "I think we can do great things. And I know if we just work hard we can win games."

HDN: Did getting injured during football season motivate you more for basketball?

Rismon: "Yeah, because sitting out of football, I didn't do anything and when basketball started I just couldn't wait to get playing again."

HDN: Who is a professional athlete that you look up to?

Rismon: "Steve Nash. I like the way he plays and he was a really good basketball player. It's too bad he's out now."

HDN: You play numerous sports and have experienced a lot, so what has been your favorite moment thus far as a Havre High athlete?

Rismon: "Getting to the state tournament last year in basketball after we haven't had a team go for so long. Just making it there was pretty sweet. And I got to play with my brother, which is not something you get to do very often, so I thought that was pretty fun."