Streak Intact: Pony boys win another Central A title

For the better part of three decades now, the Havre High tennis teams have been a stalwart in the Central A Division. And, after two days in Bozeman, the Blue Ponies proved, nothing changed in 2018.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, the Ponies qualified eight players for this week’s Class A state tournament, with the HHS boys winning their ninth straight team title, and the Pony girls finishing third. And at the end of it all, HHS head coach George Ferguson was a proud coach.

“Can’t say enough about what our kids achieved in Bozeman,” Ferguson said. “They showed so much heart and so much effort. They all gave everything they had for our teams. They represented Havre High so well, and I’m so proud of all 20 kids we took to the tournament.

“Divisionals is really intense,” Ferguson added. “It’s the time when all of our kids can achieve their dreams and goals for the season. So there’s a lot of pressure there. But I thought our kids did a great job of handling it. It’s a bitter-sweet experience, too, because we have the team success we’re after, but, at the same time, some kids don’t quite reach what they were shooting for. That’s the nature of our sport. But this week, all 20 of our kids scored at least one point. Everyone contributed. Every one of them played their hearts out. So I couldn’t be prouder of those kids.”

Not only did Havre play its heart out on the court, the Ponies played some really good tennis, too.

Going into the tournament, the HHS boys were riding an eight-year winning streak, and in the last 17, Havre had lost just one divisional title. But a young Havre team was in for a fight, as Livingston moved three of its four singles players into the semifinals Thursday. And yet the Ponies dug deep. Led by the senior duo of Trey Murphy and Kennedy McKay, who dominated the tournament from start to finish in doubles, Havre rallied past the Rangers 48-40 with Lewistown finishing a distant third.

Murphy and McKay steam rolled to the title after finishing second a year ago. In the final match, they met teammates Brady Ophus and Tyrel Kjersem, who knocked off Livingston’s top team in the quarterfinals and Lewistown’s top squad in the semifinals. That set up an all-Havre doubles final for the second year in a row, and, a huge win by Reese Bulkley and Jake Huston over Livingston’s No. 1 Thursday morning, clinched Havre’s team title over the Rangers.

Bulkley and Huston would fall one agonizing win from placing in the top four themselves, but their victory earlier in the day, coupled with four straight wins from top singles player Tommy Brown, who wound up finishing third was a big boost for the Ponies, who are sending five boys to the state tourney later this week.

“Our doubles guys really rose to the occasion,” Ferguson said. “We knew Trey and Kennedy would lead the way. They are one of the best teams in the state right now, and they were really, really good this weekend and they left no doubt about who was top dog. But what Brady and Tyrel did, and those comebacks by Jake and Reese, those were huge, because things were really close all the way to the end. I’m really happy for Brady Ophus. He’s been a leader and has worked really hard, so to see him and Tyrel, who played awesome this weekend, in a championship match, that was just awesome. And it’s tough for Reese and Jake because they got so close, but those two played some outstanding tennis, and they’re a huge reason why we brought that trophy home.

As was all of Havre’s boys lineup — including freshman Josh Warp, who dominated two opponents Wednesday to reach the semifinals in his first-ever divisional tournament. Seniors Vander Swensen and Kendall Holden also scored one point each, and in a tight battle with the Rangers, Ferguson said, they needed every one of those points to keep the Central A title in Havre.

“It was a total team effort,” Ferguson said. “Josh Warp delivered bigtime for the team. Two months ago, he was shoveling the tennis courts and hadn’t even learned how to play yet, and he comes within a match of going to state. That’s incredible, and he’s part of that young group of guys who really stepped up this week. And I’m really proud of Vander and Kendall. This was their last days of tennis, and their first divisional tournament, and they both got us big wins. It’s very satisfying to see that because those are two seniors who stuck with it over the last four years, and really had to wait their turn. I’m proud of both of those guys because they really exemplify what dedication and being part of a team is all about.

“So it was a great tournament for our boys,” Ferguson added. “This was probably the most inexperienced, overall, boys team I’ve ever had, and yet they went down to Bozeman and battled their guts out. They were ready to play, and they were not going to be denied that team title. I couldn’t be more proud of them, and they really went out and earned this one.”

On the girls side, once again, no one could stay with Livingston, which scored 59 points to win its fourth straight team title. But the Havre girls battled all the way to the end, scoring 25 points and finishing just points behind Belgrade. The Ponies got a third-place finish from Paige Nelson, who is now a three-time All-Conference performer, in singles, while Marcee Murphy and Devyn Solomon placed fourth in doubles to reach this week’s state tourney.

“Our girls did a great job,” Ferguson said. “Livingston was too tough for everybody again this weekend, but I’ll say this, I wouldn’t trade my 10 girls for anybody elses. They have so much heart, and they have so much passion for being Blue Pony tennis players, and it all came out this weekend. They battled and battled, and that’s all a coach can ask for. I am so proud of them.”

Nelson, in her final divisional tourney, dug the deepest. She went in as the top seed, but fell in a three-setter to arch rival Taylor Walker of Livingston in the semifinals. She then had to win a three-setter against another heated rival, Lissy Southworth of Lewistown, before defeating Belgrade’s top singles player in the consolation final to reach her third straight state tournament.

“Paige had to go through a lot of adversity this weekend,” Ferguson said. “She was crushed when she lost in the semifinals, because she really wanted to be a divisional champion. But the way she bounced back, and beat two good players to get third, I’m so proud of her for that. It’s not an easy thing to do at all. And I don’t care what the medal says, Paige will always be a champion in my book, and after the way she finished this weekend, she’s going to do some damage at state, I truly believe that.”

State will also include Murphy and Solomon, who had to defeat teammates Baylee Miller and Megan Lindbloom to reach their first state tourney. That match, and others like Kadyn Acor having to knock out younger sister Cassidy in singles, as well as three three-setters by junior McKenzie Tommerup, were part of a grueling tournament for the Pony girls, who also got points from seniors Alex Donaldson and Katie Donaldson.

“It seems to happen to our girls team a lot lately, that we have so many Havre/Havre matches at divisionals, and matches that just barely don’t go our way. And that was kind of the story this weekend for us. Marcee and Devyn played great tennis and I’m super-excited for them to be going to state. I think they’re going to do really well down there because they’re really finding their stride as a doubles team. But they had to take out teammates to do it, and that’s always tough. It’s part of the sport, and it happens, and at the end of the day, I think everyone on our girls team was good enough to go to state. It just doesn’t work out sometimes. So again, those situations are bitter-sweet.

“And our girls were much closer to the team title than the scores showed,” Ferguson added. “Look at the way McKenzie Tommerup played, she could have beaten one of the finalists right off the bat. Kadyn and Cassidy Acor, same thing. They all played awesome tennis. And all three of our doubles teams are very good. They could all win big matches against anybody. So again, I wouldn’t trade my team for any of the other teams there. I’m really proud of them, and they gave us everything they had in every match. I’m very proud of the season and divisional tournament our girls had.”

And with another divisional tournament in the books, the Ponies’ season comes down to this Thursday and Friday in Polson and Ronan, at the Class A state tournament. But before Havre heads west in search of state tennis glory, Ferguson couldn’t help but reflect on, not only the Central A in Bozeman but also the journey his teams have been on since March 12.

“It’s been an incredible year,” Ferguson said. “Divisional week is always emotional, because not everybody can make it to state, and you have to say goodbye to kids. That’s always tough, especially the seniors, and we have such a special group of seniors this year. I’ll never forget any of them. But overall, all of our kids, not just the 20 who went to divisionals this weekend, but every one of them who picked up a tennis racket this year, they made this a very special season for me. I’ve enjoyed coaching this group so much. They are great kids, and they’ve battled their hearts out through what has been a crazy and tough season. So I’m proud of every single player in our program, and honored to be their coach.

“And again, I’m so proud of the way our kids competed in Bozeman,” he added. “They all were amazing, and it was just an honor to get to coach them at divisionals. They are all champions in my mind and in my heart. And for the eight who are going to state, I’m so happy for them, and it’s going to be an exciting week, and I can’t wait to get down to Polson and see how it all turns out.”

CENTRAL A

At Bozeman

BOYS

Team Scores

Havre 48, Livingston 40, Lewistown 24, Belgrade 5

SINGLES

1st rd - Jakim Ricketts, LIV def. Zander Putnam, BEL, 6-0, 6-0; Collin Comes, LEW def. Vander Swensen, HAV, 6-1, 6-1; Josh Warp, HAV def. Logan Erracart, LEW, 6-1, 6-1; Gus Shulein, LIV def. Jackson Thorn, BEL, 6-1, 6-1; Tanner Mannin, LEW def. Kendall Holden, HAV, 6-4, 6-1; Danner Purkett, LIV def. Logan McCauley, BEL, 6-1, 6-0; Brendon Johnson, LIV, def. Seth Koltz, BEL, 6-0, 6-0; Tommy Brown, HAV def. Dylan Gatz, LEW, 6-1, 6-1; QF - Ricketts, LIV def. Comes, LEW, 6-1, 6-0; Warp, HAV def. Schulein, LIV, 6-1, 6-2; Purkett, LIV def. Mannin, LEW, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5; Johnson, LIV def. Brown, HAV, 6-4, 6-4; SF - Ricketts, LIV def. Warp, HAV, 6-2, 6-0; Johnson, LIV def. Purkett, LIV, 7-6, 6-0; Championship - Ricketts, LIV def. Johnson, LIV, 6-3, 6-3.

Consolation - Swensen, HAV def. Putnam, BEL, 6-1, 6-3; Errecart, LEW def. Thorn, BEL, 6-4, 7-6; 6-2; Holden, HAV def. McCauley, BEL, 6-1, 7-5; Gatz, LEW def. Koltz, BEL, 6-0, 6-2; Schulein, LIV def. Swensen, HAV, 6-0, 6-0; Comes, LEW def. Errecart, LEW, 6-1, 6-2; Brown, HAV def. Holden, HAV, 6-0, 6-0; Mannin, LEW def. Gatz, LEW, 6-1, 6-3; Comes, LEW def. Schulein, LIV, 7-5, 6-3; Brown, HAV def. Mannin, LEW, 7-6, 6-1; Purkett, LIV def. Comes, LEW, 6-4, 6-4; Brown, HAV def. Warp, HAV, 6-0, 6-1; Brown, HAV def. Purkett, LIV, 6-1, 6-4.

DOUBLES

1st rd - Kinderszki/McQuinn, LEW def. Lane/Vondra, LIV, 5-4, 6-2; Miller/Phillips, LEW def. Rosberg/Johnson, LIV, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2; Ophus/Kjersem, HAV def. Brooks/Mattson, BEL, 6-0, 6-4; Huston/Bulkley, HAV def. Hargrove/Gannon, BEL, 6-1, 6-0. QF - Murphy/McKay, HAV def. Kinderszki/McQuinn, LEW, 6-1, 6-2; McCauley/Chisolm, BEL def. Miller/Phillips, LEW, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6; Ophus/Kjersem, HAV def. Nashan/Schuman, LIV, 6-4, 6-4; Farrar/Church, LEW def. Huston/Bulkley, HAV, 6-4, 6-4; SF - Murphy/McKay, HAV def. McCauley/Chisolm, BEL, 6-0, 6-2; Ophus/Kjersem, HAV def. Farrar/Church, LEW, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; Championship - Murphy/McKay, HAV def. Ophus/Kjersem, HAV, 6-0, 6-2.

Consolation: Miller/Phillips, LEW def. Lane/Vondra, LIV, 7-6, 6-1; Kindderszki/McQuinn, LEW def. Rosberg/Johnson, LIV, 6-3, 7-5; Huston/Bulkley, HAV def. Brooks/Mattson, BEL, 6-0, 6-1; Nashan/Shuman, LIV def. Hargrove/Gannon, BEL, 6-1, 6-1; Kinderszki/McQuinn, LEW def. Miller/Phillips, LEW, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4; Huston/Bulkley, HAV def. Nashan/Schuman, LIV, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6; Farrar/Church, LEW def. Kinderszki/McQuinn, LEW, 7-6, 6-2; McCauley/Chisolm, BEL def. Huston/Bulkley, HAV, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5; Farrar/Church, LEW def. McCauley/Chisolm, BEL, 6-4, 6-2.

GIRLS

Team Scores

Livingston 59, Belgrade 27, Havre 25, Lewistown 6

SINGLES

1st rd - Paige Nelson, HAV def. Ciara Madden, LIV, 6-0, 6-0; Tessa Gatz, LEW def. Nicole Anderson, BEL, 7-5, 6-2; Eliza McLaiughlin, BEL def. Annie Franz, LEW, 6-1, 7-5; Taylor Walker, LIV def. McKenzie Tommerup, HAV, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1; Cassidy Acor, HAV def. Teagan Killorn, LIV, 7-6, 6-4; Raegan Smith, LIV def. Kadyn Acor, HAV, 6-2, 6-1; Lissy Southworth, LEW def. Angela Chandler, BEL, 6-3, 6-0; QF - Nelson, HAV def. Gatz, LEW, 6-0, 6-1; Walker, LIV def. McLaughlin, BEL, 6-1, 6-2; Stokke, BEL def. C. Acor, HAV, 6-2, 6-3; Smith, LIV def. Southworth, LEW, 6-21, 7-6; SF - Walker, LIV def. Nelson, HAV, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Smith, LIV def. Stokke, BEL, 6-2, 6-2; Championship - Smith, LIV def. Walker, LIV, 6-2, 6-3.

Consolation - Madden LIV def. Anderson, BEL, 6-0, 6-2; Tommerup, HAV def. Franz, LEW, 5-7, 6-4, 6-0; K. Acor, HAV def. Chandler, BEL, 6-1, 6-0; McLaughlin, BEL def. Madden, LIV, 6-3, 6-3; Gatz, LEW def. Tommerup, HAV, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2; Southworth, LEW def. Killorn, LIV, 6-4, 6-4; K. Acor, HAV def. C. Acor, HAV, 6-3, 6-3; McLaughlin, BEL def. Gatz, LEW, 6-7, 6-4, 6-1; Southworth, LEW def. K. Acor, HAV, 6-1, 6-1; Stokke, BEL def. McLaughlin, BEL; Nelson, HAV def. Southworth, LEW, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2; Nelson, HAV def. Stokke, BEL, 6-2, 6-4.

DOUBLES

1st rd - Chidester/Sander, BEL def. Donaldson/Donaldson, HAV, 6-3, 6-4; Murphy/Solomon, HAV def. Hicks/Feddes, BEL, 6-4, 6-2; Schoenen/Vondra, LIV def. Day/Seaford, LEW, 6-0, 6-0; Coleman/Vance, LIV def. Villareuel/Arndt, LEW, 6-4, 6-3; QF - Kant/Lima, LIV def. Chidester/Sander, BEL, 6-3, 6-0; Murphy/Solomon, HAV def. Chruch/Kelsey, LEW, 6-2, 7-5; Schoenen/Vondra, LIV def. Lindbloom/Miller, HAV, 6-1, 6-0; Gilbertson/Reddick, BEL def. Coleman/Vance, BEL, 6-2, 6-0; SF - Kant/Lima, LIV def. Murphy/Solomon, HAV, 6-0, 6-1; Gilbertson/Reddick, BEL, def. Schoenen/Vondra, LIV, 6-3, 6-4; Championship - Kant/Lima, LIV def. Gilbertson/Reddick, BEL, 7-6, 6-3.

Consolation - Donaldson/Donaldson, HAV def. Church/Kelsey, LEW, 6-2, 6-2; Chridester/Sander, BEL def. Hicks/Feddes, BEL, 6-2, 6-1; Coleman/Vance, LIV def. Day/Seaford, LEW, 6-0, 6-0; Lindbloom/Miller, HAV def. Viollareul/Arndt, LEW, 6-0, 6-3; Chidester/Sanders, BEL def. Donaldson/Donaldson, HAV, 6-2, 6-4; Lindbloom/Miller, HAV def. Coleman/Vance, LIV, 6-2, 6-4; Schoenen/Vondra, LIV def. Chidester/Sander, BEL, 6-1, 6-1; Murphy/Solomon, HAV def. Lindbloom/Miller, HAV, 6-3, 6-4; Schoenen/Vondra, LIV def. Murphy/Solomon, HAV, 6-2, 6-1.