Leeds steps down as HHS boys hoop coach

Becoming the head basketball coach at Havre High School was like coming home for Curt Leeds, a former Blue Pony basketball player.

But now, after six seasons at the helm, Leeds decided to step down earlier this spring.

"I entered my master's program in educational leadership," Leeds said. "And between that and basketball and just having a baby boy, I thought I cheated my family because basketball and school took so much time. I didn't think it was fair to them, so that was the reason behind the decision to step away. I want to focus on my education and my family."

Leeds took over during the 2012-13 season for the Ponies and by his second year on the job, he helped lead Havre back to the Class A state tournament for the first time since 2006. Havre qualified for the Class A state tournament a total of three times under Leeds and made the state semifinals twice. HHS even played for third place in 2016 and at the 2015 state tournament, was one shot away from playing for the state championship. Havre lost to Dillon by two in the semifinals after a game-winning 3-point attempt by Nate Rismon rimmed out.

"We were one shot from playing for the state championship," Leeds said. "But sometimes the bounces just don't go your way."

Of course, the highlight of Leeds' coaching career probably came during that same 2016 season, when the Ponies, led by Dane Warp, Jerod Boles and Rismon, won their first divisional championship in 12 years, capturing the inaugural Eastern A Divisional after the expansion to super divisional tournaments. Yet, according to Leeds, every team was unique, even the teams that finished with losing records.

"Every year has been special," Leeds said. "Each group was different, even though some of the kids were the same. From year to year, you lose a couple and gain a couple. But each team has always had its own personality. It's tough to compare. A lot of people would look at the one group that won a division title and played on Saturday night at the state tournament. That was a special group when it came to athletic ability and commitment. But some of my other groups have been fun to coach,' we just weren't as successful."

More than anything, Leeds said, he was just thankful for the opportunity to coach the team he played for in high school. He graduated from Havre High back in 2003.

"It was just great to coach a team that I got to play for," Leeds said. "I am a Blue Pony and forever will be a Blue Pony and that was just a special opportunity that Mr. (Dennis) Murphy and the board allowed me to do and be a part of again. Ultimately, bringing me back to Havre, allowed me to meet my now wife. And now I have my kid and it was all because of that opportunity to come back home. If I didn't do that, my life could be completely different. So I am thankful that basketball has taken to everything I want in my life right now."

While Leeds said he won't miss the long hours or the time away from his family, he said he will miss coaching and interacting with his players.

"I am really going to miss the kids," Leeds said. "You get to spend two hours with them every day during the week and go on bus rides and you really get to know them on another level outside of the classroom and that builds a bond you will have for the rest of your life."