Perennial powerhouses headline Class A field

It's going to be an exciting three days at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, as eight teams duke it out for the Class A girls state championship.

It will especially be exciting for the Havre Blue Ponies, who not only are riding a 21-0 mark into the state tournament, but also will have a home crowd advantage this weekend in the Four Seasons Arena - the site of Havre's last state championship back in 2014.

But as good as Havre is, and as heavily favored as the Ponies are, there are plenty of contenders, too. Six of the eight teams in the field were at state a year ago, including the top three in Columbia Falls, Hardin and Butte Central. The last four state champions are also back in the field, meaning the tournament is loaded with state title experience from the veteran coaches, down to many of the players.

Yes, the Class A state tourney, which is the last girls-only state tournament, as the boys and girls will combine starting next season, should be a great one, and throughout the next three days, the Four Seasons should be rocking.

The tourney starts with first-round games at 12:30, 2, 6:30 and 8 p.m. today. Loser-out games Friday are set for 12:30 and 2 p.m., with the semifinals slated for 6:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday's action starts with loser-out games at 9:30 and 11 a.m. The consolation game will tip at 6:30 p.m. and the state championship game will start at 8.

Here's a team-by-team breakdown of the 2018 Class A state tournament, which runs Thursday-Saturday in Great Falls.

Havre Blue Ponies (21-0)

Eastern A Champion

Outlook: The Blue Ponies are a heavy favorite this week in Great Falls, which, as fate would have it, is the site of their last state championship back in 2014. Havre is also a perennial state tournament team under longtime head coach Dustin Kraske. A season ago, the Ponies played in the semifinals before eventually falling to upstart Corvallis in a loser-out game. But with Class A's leading scorer Kyndall Keller, and a senior-laden squad composed of Danielle Wallace, Marca Herron, Kaylee Nystrom and injured Ryen Olson, the Ponies have no intentions of playing Saturday morning. In another ironic twist, Havre plays Hamilton in the opener - the first meeting between the two schools since the Ponies beat the Broncs in the Four Seasons Arena for the 2014 state championship. A win there would push Havre to Friday night's first semifinal against one of two big rivals, Browning or Belgrade. This season, the Ponies were a combined 4-0 against the Indians and Panthers, so, while it won't be easy, the road to Saturday night's finale is certainly in Havre's favor, and so is the history the Ponies have of winning in Great Falls.

Hamilton Broncs (19-4)

Western A 4th Place

Outlook: The Broncs seemed to cruise through the regular season, but in the postseason, they have lost three times, and will come in as underdogs against the Blue Ponies Thursday afternoon. Still, Hamilton is a dangerous team, and will put Havre's incredible defense to the test. Cariann Kunkel and Jordan Taggert are good offensive weapons for head coach Mark Abert, while 6-0 Lauren Ryter is a big presence in the paint, and Mallory McGill is an excellent outside shooter. The Broncs also have good size, and while the postseason hasn't gone exactly as planned, the Broncs are back in the state tourney for yet another year. Hamilton also won the 2015 state championship, just one year after falling to the Ponies in the title game.

Browning Indians (16-5)

Western A 2nd Place

Outlook: If there's a team on the rise right now in the Class A field, it's Browning. The Indians beat Western A stalwart and defending state champion Columbia Falls twice in the last three weeks, and they come to Great Falls ready for more. Browning is an offensive juggernaut, a team with athleticism and size, and, the Indians also hold the distinction of giving Havre its toughest test all season. Players to watch include center Tamika Gardipee (6-1), forward Taylor Jordan (5-11) and forward Dulci Skunkcap (5-11). But that trio isn't alone. Browning has a ton of depth and athletic talent, and the Indians also boast six players on their roster that stand 5-10 or better, so they certainly create matchup problems. Browning's talent also makes them a real dark horse this week in Great Falls. The Indians open the tourney with former Central A rival Belgrade. Browning's last state title came back in 1996, and the Indians haven't played in a championship game since.

Belgrade Panthers (10-12)

Eastern A 3rd Place

Outlook: The Panthers weren't supposed to be in the field this week, but they pulled off a pair of huge wins at the Eastern A two weeks ago, so they're making a return trip to state after tying for fifth a year ago. Head coach Sarah Fowler's team had a tough go at times during the regular season, but the Panthers seem to be peaking at just the right time. A first-round game with Browning is tough, but led by star guard Gabby Weber and standout shooter Kiah Hohenstein, the Panthers will be looking to pull off more upsets this week in Great Falls. Belgrade has never won the Class A title.

Hardin Bulldogs (16-5)

Eastern A 2nd Place

Outlook: The Bulldogs played for the state championship a year ago, and if it wasn't for Havre's dominance this season, Hardin might have been the favorite when they reached Great Falls. Still, on the opposite side of the bracket from Havre, Hardin is the team most are looking at to play the Ponies in the state championship game, though a 2017 state title game rematch with Columbia Falls in the first round Thursday won't be an easy start. Still, the Bulldogs are as talented as anyone in the tournament, led by the dynamic duo of Marie Five and Karissa Dushane. Hardin's size, with two six-footers in the lineup is also a big advantage, and the Bulldogs are also a veteran team, with a ton of state tournament experience. So, it's easy to see why the Bulldogs certainly believe they should be playing on Saturday night at state for the second year in a row. Hardin last won a state championship in 1994.

Columbia Falls Wildkats (20-4)

Western A 3rd Place

Outlook: Like Hamilton, Columbia Falls pretty much breezed through the regular season, but came out of the Western A in just third place, which put them in a tough draw with Hardin. Still, the Wildkats are the reigning state champions and have a ton of state tournament prowess behind them. Columbia Falls isn't as big or deep as last year's state title team, but head coach Cary Finberg's squad still has firepower. Ryley Kehr and Trista Cowan are top scorers for the Wildkats, while they also play as many as 11 players per game. Columbia Falls is also one of the top defensive and rebounding teams in Class A. Though the Wildkats will be an underdog of sorts this weekend, no one will be surprised if they leave Great Falls with another trophy either.

Butte Central Maroons (15-5)

Western A Champion

Outlook: Head coach Meg Murphy's team kind of flew under the radar during the regular season. But, the Maroons won't be overlooked this week in Great Falls. Butte Central won a couple of thrillers to capture the Western A championship two weeks ago, and the Maroons are returning to state after finishing third a year ago. Butte Central boasts one of the top players in the state in senior Kloie Thatcher, but the Maroons also have firepower at every position on the floor. Megan Michelotti is a standout on both ends of the floor, while Tricia Joyce is a double-digit scorer as well. Butte Central, while not deep, is an offensive powerhouse, while playing hard-nosed scrappy defense, and like Havre and Columbia Falls, the Maroons are also used to the bright lights of the state tournament. And, if they get past Glendive in the opener, they have a chance to really do special things this weekend. The Maroons won the 2016 state title, and played in the 2015 state championship game as well, so they've brought home a trophy from state in each of the last three seasons.

Glendive Red Devils (9-15)

Eastern A 4th Place

Outlook: Like Belgrade, the Red Devils went on quite the upset run at the Metra two weeks ago in Billings. The Red Devils had to play six times and win four games at the Eastern A to reach their first state tournament since 2009. Now in the state field, Glendive will be a huge underdog, especially in its opener against Butte Central. But the Red Devils were underdogs at the Eastern A, too, so they'll embrace that role. Glendive is also a young team, led by Savanna Toms (6-0), Kendra Kaufman (5-10) and Karsen Murphy (6-0), so the Red Devils could be building something special for the future, no matter how they do this week in Great Falls. Glendive hasn't won a state championship since 1983, but the Red Devils have been a runner-up six times since.