Blue Ponies sweep in Malta

Sometimes winning a basketball game is as simple as making free throws and that’s exactly how the Havre High boys basketball team got into the win column Tuesday night in Malta.

The Blue Ponies actually did more than make free throws. In the first half, HHS shot nearly 50 percent from the field and built a 10-point advantage. However, in the second half, they maintained their lead with defense and three throws. That is what allowed the Ponies to survive a 3-of-20 effort from the field in the second half to beat Malta 55-45. The win was the third of the season for the Ponies, which improved their record to 3-2. They will play their final game before the holiday break Friday night at CMR.

“It was a tough, hard-fought win,” HHS head coach Walynn Burgess said. “No doubt the boys really stepped up tonight. We were balanced scoring and had guys coming off the bench and giving us good minutes. Clint Owens was definitely one of our X-factors. Shooting 20-of-23 at the free throw line never hurt anyone, either.”

While points didn’t come easy for either Havre or Malta, as both teams shot below 40 percent for the game, it was Havre that established a lead early and it did so in part by limiting Malta to just 33 percent from the field in the first half.

Leading by 10 at the break, Havre would have won the game going away but it got cold from the field over the final 16 minutes, connecting on just three field goals in the entire second half and just one in the fourth quarter. It’s rare to win a game with just one made field goal in the fourth quarter, however, the Ponies supplemented their offensive output with a 14-of-16 effort from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, which salted away the 10-point road win.

Senior Tysen Sangrey was the only Havre player to reach double figures in scoring as he finished with 10 points. Austin Delarosa, who knocked down some key free throws late finished with nine. Jake Huston also contributed with nine points, while Mason Rismon and Tommy Brown both finished with eight. Tanner Smith led the way for Malta in defeat with a game-high 13 points.

“It was a tough place to get a win,” Burgess said. “But I have a group of guys that want to get better every time we step on the floor.”

The boys game was the nightcap between Havre and Malta, but prior to that, the Blue Pony girls put their 28-game winning streak on the line against their Class B rival and extended it to 29 games after a 55-33 win over the M-Ettes.

Early on, Malta was able to hang with the Ponies, who led the M-Ettes 13-11 at the end of the first quarter and 24-18 at the half. Kyndall Keller was limited to just three points in the first half, but that didn’t stop her from eventually reaching double figures, as she scored 11 points in the second half to lead the way for Havre with 14.

Kadia Miller also finished the game with 14 points, yet she did most of her damage in the first half, scoring 10 during the first half of play. Jessa Chivlicek also scored eight for the Ponies, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers in the process. Kelbee Denham paced the M-Ettes with 11 points in the loss.

“On to CMR,” HHS head coach Kraske said after the game.

After three straight road games, Kraske and the Ponies will return home Friday night for a non-conference showdown with CMR of Class AA. It will be the final game before the holiday break for the Ponies, who will be back on the court Jan. 3 against Rocky Boy.

Havre 55, Malta 33 (girls)

Havre 13 11 15 16 - 55

Malta 11 7 4 11 - 33

Havre - Kyndall Keller 14, Kylie Walker 3, Kassidy Compton 5, Abbey Morse 2, Kadia Miller 14, Jessa Chvilicek 8, Sadie Filius 2, Katie Wirtzberger 3, Lauren Kato 4. Totals: 22 6-10 55.

Malta - Not available

Havre 55, Malta 45 (boys)

Havre 14 20 5 16 - 55

Malta 11 13 9 12 - 45

Havre - Tysen Sangrey 10, Jake Huston 9, Austin Delarosa 9, Tommy Brown 8, Mason Rismon 8, Clint Owens 7, Kellen Detrick 4.

Malta - Rhett Simonton 5, Kooper Overurt 5, Kevin Henry 9, Ben Costin 7, Tanner Smith 13, Kaden Bergos 6.