Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Danielle Wallace, Havre Girls Basketball

Ever since joining the Havre High basketball team as a sophomore, Danielle Wallace has been a core part of the team's success, which includes two appearances at the Class A state tournament.

However, this season, much more is expected of the Blue Ponies, who are 19-0 as they head to the Eastern A Divisional semifnals, where the Ponies play for a berth in yet another state tournament tonight at 8.

One thing that makes the Eastern A so exciting is the fact that the tournament is played inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings. For years, the Eastern A was one of the most exciting divisional tournaments in the state of Montana. In part because of the venue and also because the high level of competition that seems to take place at the tournament every year.

Two years ago, the Eastern A and the Central A conferences combined and formed a super divisional tournament that now has 10 teams and four state tournament berths on the line. Wallace was part of the first Havre team to play in the Eastern A and started on a team that ended up in third place. Last season, she was part of a Havre team that made it to the Eastern A championship game before falling to Hardin.

Since moving to Havre two seasons ago, Wallace has seen her role constantly increase. She started her sophomore season on the bench, only to eventually turn into a starter and one of the most effective interior scorers on the team. Rebounding the basketball and providing an inside presence are two things Wallace has done extremely well and in her senior season, she is doing them better than ever.

Wallace has been able to do things during the 2017-18 season, that she never has before, such as averaging double-digit points. Currently, she is the Ponies' second-leading scorer at 10 points per game. But what's more impressive than that is her field-goal percentage, which stands at 51 percent. She also makes 63 percent of her free throws.

While Wallace has increased her production as a scorer and rebounder, she has also improved as a defender. She not only leads the team in blocks, but her team defense is also much improved and has played a role in the Ponies allowing a Class A best 36.1 points.

Wallace and the Ponies, who entered divisionals as the top-ranked team in the state are looking to play their way back into the state tournament this weekend, but before heading to Billings, the Havre Daily News caught up with Wallace for five questions.

HDN: How is the divisional tournament different than the regular season?

Wallace: "The court is a big difference. There are also a bunch of new teams that we don't normally play, so it's harder to scout them. We just have to go out and play as hard as we can."

HDN: So do you like playing at the Metra?

Wallace: "I love it. I just like how open it is and how many people come to see us play."

HDN: What would it mean if you could add a divisional championship to an already impressive regular-season record?

Wallace: "It would be amazing if we could. But that's not our main focus right now."

HDN: "How was your transition to Havre?

Wallace: "It's been good. It took a little while to get to know everyone, but I am glad I got to move here and play with these girls."

HDN: What have you enjoyed the most about playing for the Ponies?

Wallace: 'I don't know, just getting to play for (the Ponies) has been awesome."