They're Back: Star-studded Pony girls make their season debut

Tonight kicks off the 2019-2020 season for the Havre High girls basketball team and the Ponies are ready to start the year against some big squads.

After accomplishing the feat of being back-to-back Class A state championships last spring, the Blue Ponies have a lot of exciting games to play, along with the hopes of making history by winning a third state championship.

That journey will start with games against the Laurel Locomotives today in the Havre High gymnasium and the Billings Central Rams Saturday down in Billings.

Tonight's game against Laurel will be not only the season opener for Havre, but the home-opener, as well. When it comes to the game against the Locomotives, HHS head coach Dustin Kraske is excited to play against a high-caliber team.

"They got a new coach," said Kraske. "They lost quite a few key players from last years' team. We're excited to have a game."

Laurel had a 18-8 season record and was one of the four teams to take a trip to the state tournament last year as the No. 4 seed. The Locomotives carry a lot of energy and talent among the squad. There is no doubt that the powerhouse from the Eastern A will be fired up again this season.

But a new head coach has its effect on a team and many times marks a new era for the squad. There will be a lot of adjusting for Laurel under a new head coach, but with the skill that has been brought to the court by the Locomotives cannot be ruled out, even with a new head coach at the helm.

For the Ponies, the season opener tonight will set the tone early on and to rule out a consistent high-powered team would be a big mistake. But Havre has a lot on the table this year, too. Especially, since much of the players from last year will be back for more.

Senior Kyndall Keller will be back for her last year as a Blue Pony and will have a lot to put forward alongside her team. As a University of Montana commit, Keller not only has a lot of talent, but even more potential moving forward. Plus, her teammates are ready to stick with her, too.

Other standouts from last season include sophomore Sadie Filius and junior Kylie Walker, who proved that their skills are versatile on the court. Filius and Walker still have some time left with Havre, too, which means plenty of opportunities to get better and make some noise.

With an electric squad and a lot of skill spread across the board, Kraske has a lot to look forward to once again, but he still has some keys that will help his team do even more in the opener.

"We got to be able to handle the pressure and take care of the ball," said Kraske. "We need to do a nice job of playing together, communicate defensively, rebound and do all the simple things well."

After the game against the Locomotives, Havre will hit the road immediately to play another big name in the Eastern A, Billings Central.

The Rams and the Ponies have a pretty recent history with one another. Last year, Havre beat Central in the season opener, then lost to them at the Eastern A Divisional tournament in February, handing the Ponies their first loss in a long time.

For Kraske, he has a lot of respect for Central and is glad to get to play them early in the season again.

"I think Billings Central could be the best basketball team we play this year," said Kraske. "Especially earlier, for sure. They got Laurel's best player from last year and that will help them. They got great kids. I think the game in Billings will be really, really good."

The Rams are a tough team to handle if left unchecked. They boast a squad of talent, which led them to being Eastern A division champs and a difficult state squad to take down last year. There is no easy way to get past the Rams, especially when the victory margin last season is averaged around three-points between Havre and Central.

Havre will look to utilize a lot of skilled players against the Rams. Senior Kadia Miller is a two-time returning All-Stater, while veterans like Katie Wirtzberger, Jessa Chvilicek Sam Oliver and Loy Waid are also back.

There is a lot to say about both of these teams, but Kraske has his team prepared to take on Central and what the Rams will bring to the table Saturday.

"We got to be able to handle playing on the road," said Kraske. "Playing on the road kind of has its own factors. We'll have to mature with the basketball and mature defensively. I think the game will come down to who can make simple plays with the most consistency. Our kids will have their hands full and it will be really fun."

The Blue Ponies will open the season tonight at home against the Locomotives in the Havre High gymnasium at 5, and take on Billings Central Saturday in Billings at 5 p.m.