Pony girls take third, will defend state crown

After the win over the Park Rangers in the quarterfinals on Thursday of the Eastern A Divisionals, the Havre High girls basketball team did not have plans to meet the Rangers again in the tournament.

Yet, after a tough 64-60 overtime loss to the Billings Central Rams Friday in the semifinals, the Blue Ponies would meet the Rangers Saturday in the consolation game, beating Park 46-32, to claim third place in the tournament, as well as punching a ticket back to Billings for the state tourney in two weeks.

Against the Rangers, the Ponies started off with a close battle within the first half, only leading by four points 19-15 at halftime. But HHS dropped 16 points in the third period to jump ahead further, eventually sealing the game in the final eight minutes. Kadia Miller and Sadie Filius both led HHS with 11 points.

But before the consolation game, Havre had to beat Northeast A rival, the Glendive Lady Devils, Saturday in the consolation semifinals to earn a state berth. The Ponies did so, beating Glendive 64-45 to advance.

And HHS coach Hayley Criner was proud of how the team responded after the loss to Central to earn the No. 3 seed at the Class A State girls tournament.

"I thought our kids battled," Criner said. "Friday night against Central was a grind-it out type of game. It was emotionally and physically demanding. Our kids did a nice job coming back from that against two teams who played hard and we were all trying to achieve the same thing, a state tournament berth. I'm sure proud of how our kids responded."

HHS kept a commanding lead throughout the matchup against the Lady Devils, putting up 16 points in every single quarter to stay on top and punch their ticket to the Class A State tournament. Kyndall Keller led Havre with 12 points and Jessa Chvilicek followed with 11.

The semifinal game against the Rams was a gut-wrenching loss for Havre, especially considering that Central has beaten the Ponies in every game the two teams have played over the last three seasons.

HHS led toward the end of the game 52-47 after Filius used two steals to put up points, but the Rams fought right back, with Mya Hansen drilling a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to send the bout into overtime.

From there, Hansen and Central battled with Havre toe-to-toe, but in the end, the Rams got the upper hand and claimed the semifinal win and a ticket to the state tournament. Keller led the Ponies with 17 points against Central, while Miller was right behind her with 16.

Now, Havre will return once again to the First Interstate Bank Arena at the Metra in Billings for the Class A state tournament. The Blue Ponies will open against the Western A's No. 2 seed, the Hamilton Broncs. The state tournament runs March 12-14.

Havre 46, Park 32 (3rd)

Havre 10 9 16 11 – 46

Park 5 10 8 9 – 32

Havre – Kyndall Keller 4, Kadia Miller 11, Sam Oliver 1, Kylie Walker 3, Loy Waid 4, Jessa Chvilicek 2, Sadie Filius 11, Katie Wirtzberger 8, Yelena Miller 2. Totals: 17 7-10 46.

Park – Taylor Young 2, Kodie Vondra 9, Rylean Floyd 2, Bobbi Lima 2, Abby Kokot 6, Skylar Higgs 6, Sylvie Schoenen 1, Baylee Bergsing 4. Totals: 11 7-8 32.

Havre 64, Glendive 45 (LO)

Havre 16 16 16 16 – 64

Glendive 6 10 12 17 – 45

Havre – Kyndall Keller 12, Kadia Miller 9, Sam Oliver 2, Kylie Walker 2, Loy Waid 2, Jessa Chvilicek 11, Sadie Filius 6, Katie Wirtzberger 9, Yelena Miller 2. Totals: 19 20-23 64.

Glendive – Kayla Brown 5, Kas Walker 3, Caton Pearcy 3, Jill Litwiller 3, Madi Wahl 4, Karsen Murphy 10, Savannah Toms 17. Totals: 11 19-27 45.

Billings Central 64, Havre 60 (SF OT)

Havre 10 14 17 12 7 – 60

BC 11 15 13 14 11 – 64

Havre – Kyndall Keller 17, Kadia Miller 16, Sam Oliver 1, Kylie Walker 7, Loy Waid 4, Jessa Chvilicek 2, Sadie Filius 11, Katie Wirtzberger 2. Totals: 19 15-22 60.

BC – M. Stewart 4, Solei Elletson 3, Mya Hansen 32, M. Molvig 3, Isabelle Erickson 10, Olivia Moten-Schell 9, A. Yellowrobe 3. Totals: 15 30-37 64.