Ponies complete season sweep of Rocky Boy

ROCKY BOY - There have been a lot of learning experiences for the Havre High boys basketball team this season, but Thursday night in Rocky Boy, the Blue Ponies proved they have learned to win on the road.

In the first half, Havre jumped out to a 12-point lead and took that into the break. Yet, Rocky Boy made a push in the third and fourth quarters and got within three in the final minutes. However, the Ponies made 7-of-8 free throws in the last 90 seconds to salt away a 57-48 win, their seventh of the season.

"The boys really stepped up," Waylnn Burgess said. "Delly (Austin Delarosa) has been playing really well, even though he's been hurt, he's fighting through it. Tyrel Kjersem and Clint Owens both gave us good minutes and then you know, you can't say enough about Kellen Detrick's night."

What Burgess is referring to is the 22-point, 20-rebound effort of Havre sophomore Kellen Detrick.

However, in the first quarter, it was Delarosa who got the Ponies going with a pair of 3-point makes, the second of which put Havre in front 13-8. Detrick got one of his first buckets right near the end of the opening stanza, as he soared for an offensive board and scored to give HHS a 15-8 edge.

In the second quarter, Rocky Boy quickly pulled within five before Mason Rismon buried a three pointer to push the lead back to eight. Then, after a series of buckets from Detrick, including an impressive take to the rim, the Ponies led 24-12. Another driving layup before half sent Havre into intermission leading by 12.

Facing a double-digit deficit, Rocky Boy refused to back down and after 3-pointers by Blake Cantrell and Wyatt Caplette, the Stars eventually pulled with in three points at 33-30, following a 13-4 run to open the third.

That's when Detrick began to assert his will. Minutes after having a one-possession lead, Detrick scored a 3-point play which extended the lead to 39-30.

Then, after taking a 39-31 lead into the fourth quarter, Detrick scored the first six points in the stanza for Havre and suddenly, after a 12-4 run, the Ponies led by double digits again at 45-34.

"22 points and 20 rebounds, that's really impressive," Burgess said. "And I thought there was a few times we missed him inside actually. You have to give him credit, he brought it tonight."

Before the outcome was decided, Rocky Boy had one last run in it and after a 3-point play by Cantrell, the Pony lead was down to 47-42 with 3:36 left.

Eventually, after a hoop by Frankie Bacon and a triple from Mackaveli Sutherland, the Stars were within three at 51-48 with 40 seconds remaining.

With the crowd roaring and the pressure mounting, Havre executed down the stretch, took care of the ball and got to the free throw line, where it made six of its last eight attempts to wrap up the 57-48 win.

"It was a good team win," Burgess said. "We gutted it out but you have to give credit to Rocky Boy. They never gave up and they kept coming at us."

Detrick led all scorers in the win with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. He also totaled 20 rebounds, with seven coming on the offensive end. Rismon pitched in with nine points and Huston stepped up with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists starting in place of the injured Tommy Brown at point guard. Sutherland led Rocky Boy with 13 points and three triples. Wyatt Caplette, who fouled out, also contributed with 10.

Havre (7-8) will look to even its record Saturday night against Lewistown. Tip-off inside the HHS gymasnium will be at 6:30 p.m.

Havre 57, Rocky Boy 48

Havre - 15 14 10 18 - 57

Rocky Boy 8 9 14 17 - 49

Rocky Boy - Joe Demontiney 2, Mackaveli Sutherland 13, Frankie Bacon 2, Wyatt Caplette 10, Olin Arkinson 7, Blake Cantrell 6, Jordan Tyner 8.

Havre - Jake Huston 9, Mason Rismon 9, Kellen Detrick 22, Tysen Sangrey 6, Austin Delarosa 6, Clint Owens 6.