Pony girls fall in another heartbreaker to Central

The Havre High girls basketball team began postseason play this past weekend as they competed in the Eastern A Divisional Tournament at the Metra Park in Billings. The Blue Ponies went on a run through the tournament and made it to the championship game Saturday against Billings Central, only to lose yet another nailbiter to arch rival Billings Central, 44-43.

And though the loss was tough, Havre head coach Dustin Kraske was proud of how his team played over the tournament's three days, as the Ponies clinched yet another berth in the Class A state tournament.

"It was a fun weekend. Our kids played well together," Kraske said.

Havre and Billings Central played down to the wire as they went back and forth all game. The first half ended with the teams tied at 16-16. The third quarter was also competitive but the Rams managed to grab a one-point lead heading to the fourth quarter.

The Eastern A title was still up for grabs with under a minute to go. Central held for the last shot, and ended up taking a one point lead with eight seconds left. That left Havre time, and the Ponies would ultimately have a couple of free throws to win or tie the game, but it was not to be, as Central escaped with the victory.

The loss was again a tough one, as Havre and Central have played some epic games in recent years. Still, Kraske said his team played great.

"Defensively, I thought we had a nice plan to get some stops and we did that," Kraske said. "Both teams really struggled to score, which I think is a credit to both of our teams' defenses, and we put ourselves in a situation to have some success down the stretch and we played great. A couple shots just didn't go in."

Sadie Filius led the Ponies with 15 points against the Rams. Kylie Walker scored 13 points and had three huge 3-pointers, and Yelena Miller chipped in 10 for the Ponies in the losing effort. On offense, the Rams were led by Isabelle Erickson and Mya Hansen, who both scored 13 points.

The Ponies opened up the tournament Thursday with a 50-23 win over Livingston. The Ponies then faced a tougher battle Friday when they faced off with Hardin in the semifinal. The teams split the regular season and Friday's meeting again saw the teams evenly matched.

The Ponies and Bulldogs went back and forth throughout the first half and went into halftime tied at 20-20. Hardin then outplayed Havre in the third quarter to take a 32-31 lead into the fourth quarter. That's when Havre's offense woke up to outscore Hardin 19-14 in the fourth quarter and win the game, 50-46.

"It was a grind-it-out game. We had to come up with some stops consecutively down the stretch. We did that," Kraske said. "The game was awesome. Our kids were very physical. They played as hard as they could."

Filius led the Ponies with 12 points against the Bulldogs. Other contributors on offense were Walker with 11 points and Miller with 10. Hardin's leading scorers were Kylee Old Elk with 13 points and Nevaeh Alden with 10.

Through Havre did lose a close championship game, they did finish second in the Eastern A Divisional and clinched a spot in the State Class A Girls Basketball Tournament this week. Kraske believes that the competitive games the Ponies played in the Eastern A got them physically and mentally prepared for state.

"It helps prep us up for (state) because the games are physical. It's a tournament atmosphere," Kraske said. "Got to get your mind focused on the task at hand and I think going to divisionals and playing the quality teams that we played helps us with that."

Havre opens up the state tournament when the Ponies play Hamilton at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Great Falls Four Seasons Arena.

Havre 50, Hardin 46, SF

Hardin 10 10 12 14 - 46

Havre 11 9 11 19 - 50

Hardin - Kylee Old Elk 13, Nevaeh Alden 10, Aiyana Big Man 7, Kamber Good Luck 6, Breanna Old Elk 5, Evelyn Old Coyote 5.

Havre - Sadie Filius 12, Kylie Walker 11, Yelena Miller 10, Sydney Wilting 8, Lacy Waid 5, Kennedy Hampton 2, Avery Carlson 2.

Billings Central 44, Havre 43, 1st

Havre 8 8 13 14 - 43

Billings Central 8 8 14 14 - 44

Havre - Sadie Filius 15, Kylie Walker 13, Yelena Miller 10, Sydney Wilting 3, Quinn McDonald 2.

Billings Central - Isabelle Erickson 13, Mya Hansen 13, Maria Stewart 9, Solei Elletson 5, Hailey Euell 2, Molly Molvig 2.