Pony girls finally play in the Corral

At times in recent years, the Havre High girls basketball team has so thoroughly dominated the Central A conference, it’s only real challenges have come outside the conference.

And with the rest of the league looking less than formidable, the Blue Ponies will get their challenges again in non-conference games this season, like the one tonight against Fairfield, the Class B runner-up last March. The matchup, which features two of the most consistent programs in the state, will also be the first home game of the 2016-17 season for Havre as the game will be held inside the HHS gymnasium with tip-off set for 6.

“It is kind of weird how that worked out,” HHS head coach Dustin Kraske said. “But we are going to have a lot of home games this month and I know our kids are excited about playing at home.”

The Eagles, who went 23-4 a year ago, have started just 2-2, but showed their potential in a 59-20 thrashing of Browning Dec. 21. The Eagles also defeated Cut Bank last month, but lost to Choteau and Ronan. However, with the likes of Natalie Klinker and MSU-Northern commit Allix Goldhahn leading the way, Fairfield will be among the most talented teams Havre has played thus far.

“It should be a great game,” Kraske said. “Fairfield is a good team. We are going to have our hands full with Klinker and Goldhahn. Hopefully, we can slow them down a little bit.”

While it’s always an intriguing matchup when Havre and Fairfield get together, it will be even more so for local basketball fans, as two Montana State University-Northern women’s basketball commits will be going at it. Goldhahn is one, while the other is Naomi Terry, Havre’s leading scorer. Terry averages 18 points per game through five outings and increased her scoring average by more than five points from a year ago. She is also being highly efficient on the offensive end, shooting just 12 shots per game and shooting a high percentage from the field, 47 percent overall and 40 percent from 3-point range.

“She has worked really hard to get her feet under herself,” Kraske said. “And shoot, honestly, when she catches it in rhythm, I always think it’s going in. She can move offensively within the flow of our offense and she is starting to understand that.”

As well as Terry has played, she is far from the only reason the Ponies have gotten off to such a fast start. Freshman Kyndall Keller has a made a big contribution early in the season, scoring 10 points per game, while also averaging 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 steals.

“Kyndall works so hard in the offseason,” Kraske said. “So I guess, while it is impressive what she is doing, I am not really surprised. That’s what she does. She lives basketball, and I think that she’s earned that.”

Inside, Danielle Wallace has become a reliable force, averaging six points and 5.2 rebounds. Ceyara Plante is also contributing with 6.8 ppg, while Marca Herron is in at 5.2. Through five games, Havre has been solid offensively, averaging 49.6 points. However, the biggest reason behind the Ponies 4-1 start is a suffocating defense that has allowed opponents to score just 33 points a game. And HHS isn’t just forcing missed shots, it is taking the ball away at a ruthless rate. Led by Kaylee Nystrom, who is averaging 3.8 steals a game, Havre has amassed 64 steals in five games for an average of 12.8 per game.

“Kaylee, she just plays hardnosed,” Kraske said. “She really gets after it and is just in your face. She’s kind of like the heartbeat of our defense. It’s really a lot of fun to watch her play. She is just on it all the time and her attitude is contagious for everyone else.”

For Lewistown (1-3, 0-1) the strength of the Havre defense must be a concern, especially with the Eagles averaging just 41.8 points per game. That number would be even lower if it wasn’t for a 59-point outing in a win over Hardin. In Lewistown’s other three games, it has been held to 43 points or less. Lewistown is not a strong shooting team, either from beyond the arc or inside it. Yet, the Eagles do have Ajiah Ross, who leads the team in scoring (10.5 ppg) and rebounding (5.5). She will provide an inside presence for the Eagles, who also boast Hanna Hayes, who scores 9.8 a night to go along with 5.2 rebounds.

“I really like the Ross kid, she does a nice job and is their leading scorer,” Kraske said. “And you know, I really like the Hayes kid, she is very long and athletic. She impressed me when I saw her over in Sidney. She does some really good things. We will have our hands full down there. We are looking to go down there and play well. They are who they are. We are just looking to play our game and go down there and have some fun.”

Scoring may not be a strength for Lewistown, but rebounding certainly is as the Eagles have five players averaging at least five rebounds per night. They are also grabbing nine offensive rebounds per game, which can help make up for an overall team shooting percentage of 30 percent overall and 18 from deep. Havre, on the other hand, is shooting 34 percent from the field and 26 percent from three.

Before taking on Lewistown, Havre will host Fairfield tonight inside the HHS gymnasium at 6. The Ponies will then hit the road for the game in Lewistown Saturday at 5 p.m.