HHS boys look to honor seniors with a W

There are often times where a team starts consistently winning and peaking at the right time in the season, and such is the case for the Havre High boys basketball team, who has not lost against a Class A opponent since late December. On top of that, the conference win over Sidney last week helped the Blue Ponies boost their record once again.

But this weekend will bring its set of challenges. Tonight, Havre heads on the road to play the Browning Indians in Browning, a team they beat in a barn-burner at home back in January. Then, the Ponies will play a game against the Fairfield Eagles on Saturday in the Havre High Gymnasium at 4 p.m., which is the senior night for Havre basketball, too.

The road game against Browning will be a tough one to start off the weekend, with the Ponies playing a ranked team from the Western A that can always be trouble if left unchecked. The Indians put up a big fight in the Havre High Gymnasium earlier this season already, but they will look to get revenge on the Ponies for that loss in January.

Then comes Saturday’s game against Fairfield, which will be a special one for the seniors, as it is their senior night celebration that honors them for the dedication and hard work they have put in as part of the Havre High basketball program. Those seniors are, Jake Huston, Tyrel Kjersem, Mason Rismon, John South and Quinn Springer.

The five seniors are a hard-working bunch. Huston, Kjersem and Rismon have all started for the Blue Ponies this season and have made some amazing moments. Huston and Rismon have had their fair share of big games, while Kjersem has sunk a game-sealing free throw this year. At the same time, South and Springer may not start for Havre, but the two put in hard work every game, practice and moment to make a name for themselves. The two, whenever on the hardwood, will always be a crucial part of the Ponies.

And HHS head coach Walynn Burgess is proud of the five players on his team and has enjoyed the time he has got to coach them.

“This was the first group that I ever coached (in Havre),” Burgess said. “Back in middle school, they were football guys, so a kid like Quinn Springer, I had in seventh grade when he used to play o-line. He always wanted to play. I had Mason Rismon when he was at St. Jude’s in fifth grade. Being able to see that kid grow into who he is know is awesome. I had Jake in travel basketball when he was in seventh grade. Kid like Tyrel coming off the bench and just buying into his roles is great. We’re not half the team if he doesn’t show up like he has been. Big John South knew coming in this year that he might not get to play as much, but he comes to practice everyday and brings energy.”

And the senior class has left such a big impact on Burgess and the team that they will be remembered for a long time, but Burgess hopes to help instill some great knowledge when they graduate, too.

“They really understand the team concept,” Burgess said. “I’m gonna miss the heck out of them. On and off the court, it’s bigger than you. Everything is. It’s never about yourself, it’s what you can do for other people. You want to be somebody people want to be around. Learn how to be real gentleman. Open doors for girls and those type of things. It’s just those little things that they start to see really add up in life. I hope they take to it. I really do.”

It will be an emotional game against Fairfield for Huston, Kjersem, Rismon, South and Springer as they look back on their time as a part of Blue Pony basketball. But in the end, these guys will be another big chapter in the history of Havre sports and will not be forgotten for their commitment.

The Blue Ponies will host Fairfield at 4 p.m. Saturday in the HHS gymnasium, with the seniors being honored before tip-off. First though, Havre plays at Browning tonight at 6.