HHS girls come up short in Great Falls

The Havre High girls basketball team may not have beaten Great Falls High Thursday night in Swarthout Fieldhouse, but the Blue Ponies competed from start to finish in a game that caused more stress for the Lady Bison than some expected.

It was an up-and-down night for Havre offensively, but the Ponies battled on defense for four quarters, but ultimately lost to Great Falls High 52-45. The defeat was the first of the year for the Ponies, who are now 4-1 on the season. The Havre girls will play again Jan. 6, at home against Fairfield.

In the early going, the Ponies proved not to be intimidated by Great Falls High and after a solid start, Havre trailed just 10-7. Yet a 12-0 run by the Bison in the second quarter pushed the lead to 22-10. However, a 9-2 run by Havre, one that included a 3-pointer by Naomi Terry, made the score 24-19 at intermission.

Great Falls High tried to run away with the game in the second half as a triple by Hannah Collins helped the Lady Bison go up 31-19. Moments later, the score was 34-19. Yet, the Ponies, who hadn’t backed down all night, weren’t about to start and answered with a 7-0 run of their own. Unfortunately, Havre’s newfound momentum didn’t last long, as Great Falls High answered with six straight to close the quarter and take a 40-26 lead.

Down 14, the Ponies did well to get the game back within single digits, and, after a 6-0 spurt, they were actually within seven at 42-35. But, another big 3-pointer from Collins pushed the advantage back to 10 for the Lady Bison, who never looked back.

“Great Falls High did a great job of outworking us,” HHS head coach Dustin Kraske said to the Great Falls Tribune following the game. “And that’s what gave them the ability to make the runs. We just didn’t match their level of enthusiasm and credit to Jerry (Schmitz) and his kids. They did a great job.”

Collins was one of three Lady Bison to reach double figures as she, Morgan Evans and Danielle Devlin all finished with 12. Terry led the way for the Ponies with 16 points, while Marca Herron and Kyndall Keller each had seven.

The Ponies will be off until Jan. 6, when they will host Fairfield, the Class B runner up in the home opener for HHS.

Great Falls High 52, Havre 45

Havre 7 12 7 19 – 45

GFH 10 14 16 12 – 52

Havre – Ceyara Plante 2 0-0 6, Kyndall Keller 2 2-6 7, Kaylee Nystrom 2 0-0 4, Naomi Terry 5 4-4 16, Marca Herron 7, Danielle Wallace 1 0-0 2, Kyley Verploegen 1 1-2 3. Totals: 14 12-18.

GFH – Morgan Evans 6 0-0 12, Hannah Collins 3 4-7 12, Erin Hocker 1 0-1 2, Sarah Dutro 2 0-0 5, Katie Nicholson 0 1-2 1, Jorgie Hawthorne 1 0-0 2, Danielle Devlin 6 0-4 12, Shea LaRocque 2 2-2 6. Totals: 21 7-16.