Blue Ponies sweep big games in Lewistown

The Havre High boys and girls basketball teams have had to navigate an unusual season during the COVID-19 pandemic as they have dealt with limited fans and canceled games. So, making it to the end of the regular season should feel like an accomplishment in and of itself.

Yet, both teams have made the most out of their seasons as they both hold first place in their conference, the Northeast A. And that success continued on the road in Lewistown on Saturday as they finished their regular seasons.

The Pony girls team came away from Lewistown with a win after defeating the Eagles 65-26 on Saturday afternoon. The Ponies got after it early as they built themselves an 18-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. Yelena Miller, who led the Ponies with 19 points, scored 8 points in that first quarter to give HHS control.

The Eagles weren’t able to get back in the game, which HHS head coach Dustin Kraske credits to his team’s defense.

“Our pressure really got to them,” Kraske said. “Our kids played well, got after it, ran a little trap.”

The dominant victory in Lewistown demonstrated the success the HHS girls team had this season. They finished the regular season with a 12-2 overall record and went undefeated in conference play to win the Northeast A.

The HHS boys team had more on the line Saturday night as they played in Lewistown. The Ponies and Eagles were battling for the conference Northeast A title and number one seed in the Eastern A divisional. Even though the Ponies had won their first matchup earlier in the season, the Eagles were one of the hottest teams in the Northeast A as they had won nine of their past 10 games. However, HHS completed the season sweep as they won 59-49.

It was competitive through the first half as the Ponies went into halftime with a 30-27 lead. They pulled away in the third quarter as it became a defensive struggle where the Ponies only scored 13 points and the Eagles five. The Eagles did outscore the Ponies in the fourth quarter but it was not enough to stop a double-digit victory by HHS. Kellen Detrick had 19 points for yet another double-double to lead Havre.

The Ponies also played Friday night at home at the HHS Gymnasium where they had a dominant 73-42 win over Rocky Boy. The Class B Stars served as a replacement opponent for HHS after Browning dropped out of the contest.

HHS opened the night with high energy as Detrick scored the game’s first seven points in the post. The Ponies also had success from the 3-point line to open the game, especially Caden Jenkins, who hit a pair of them.

“We got big guys, so when we get the ball inside, kicking it out, that’s where the threes come from,” Jenkins said.

Not only did the Ponies have high energy on the offensive end to open the game, but they also brought it on the defensive end to shut the Stars’ offense down throughout the first half. This combined effort helped the Ponies build a 34-14 lead heading into halftime. Burgess believes the fact that his players were playing at home for the last time this season contributed to their intensity.

“It’s coming down to the end now. Our days are numbered as far as the season goes and I think the kids are starting to really lock in to that,” HHS head coach Walynn Burgess said.

However, Rocky Boy refused to let the game get away from them as they went on a 12-5 run to open the third quarter and cut the lead to 13. The Ponies then responded with a small run of their own to push their lead to 44-28 heading into the fourth. The Ponies opened the fourth quarter with a 16-3 run to put the game out of reach for the Stars.

The strong weekend for the Ponies improved their overall record to 8-4 and they won the Northeast A with a 7-1 record. With the best record, the Ponies have clinched the number one seed in the upcoming Eastern A Divisional.

As conference champions, the Havre boys and girls basketball teams both now look toward the postseason in order to continue their successful seasons. Both of them will begin play in the divisionals on Feb. 24.

Havre 73, Rocky Boy 42

Rocky Boy 8 6 14 14 - 42

Havre 20 14 10 29 - 73

Rocky Boy - Joe Demontiney 19, Ben Crebs 11, Sean Gibson 4, Jojo Standing Rock 2, Nacona Limberhand 0, Kellen Colliflower 2, Teague Stump 2, Demitri Standing Rock 2.

Havre - Josh Warp 9, Max Olson 3, Nolan Lotton 4, Crawford Terry 6, Josh Currie 6, Isaac Pedraza 4, Kellen Detrick 18, Caden Jenkins 10, Trenton Maloughney 3, Clint Owens 6, Caleb Spangler 4.

Havre girls 65, Lewistown 26

Havre 18 16 17 14 - 65

Lewistown 4 7 9 6 - 26

Havre - Alyssa Oliver 7, Sydney Wilting 2, Danni Wirtzberger 3, Kylie Walker 6, Kennedy Hampton 5, Loy Waid 11, Avery Carlson 2, Yelena Miller 19, Sadie Filius 8, Quinn McDonald 2.

Lewistown - Taylon Trafton 2, Brooke Werjheimer 2, Riley Anderson 5, Anyia Ross 6, Rylee Armstrong 2, Elise Crouse 2, Helaina Fowler 2, Aspen Montgomery 5.