Ponies Rise and Shine

GREAT FALLS - An earlier than normal start to the state tournament was no problem for the Havre Blue Ponies.

Playing at 9 a.m. in the first game of the 2021 Class A state tournament, the Ponies began their quest for a fourth state championship in the city of Great Falls with a 54-37 victory over Hamilton Wednesday in the Four Seasons Arena.

"They were ready to go, very focused. I thought they did a wonderful job defensively," Havre head coach Dustin Kraske said. "I thought the kids played just fantastic, just wonderful."

The win also served as a rebound from a heartbreaking, 44-43, loss the Ponies suffered to Billings Central in the Eastern A Divisional championship game this past weekend.

Against Hamilton, Havre looked for a stronger offensive performance.

The Ponies got it going early as they scored eight straight points to open the game. Yelena Miller opened the game with a layup which was followed by a pair of 3-pointers from Kylie Walker and Sadie Filius. The Broncos finally got on the board with a layup halfway through the quarter. That would be the only basket they made in the first quarter thanks to the Ponies' defensive efforts.

"We were trying to force certain kids to the right or the left depending on what we thought they were more comfortable doing so we were trying to make them uncomfortable," Kraske said.

Hamilton's offense was more productive in the second quarter. However, they still could not keep up with the Ponies as Havre went into halftime with a 30-11 lead. Hamilton finished the first half shooting 42.9 percent from the field, but Havre's defense forced them to only take seven shots in that time frame.

"That speaks to our defense. It was excellent. It was fun," Kraske said. "The kids talked a little bit about certain things we wanted with certain players and I thought they did it very well."

The Ponies extended their lead to 20 points in the third quarter, and the Broncos were never able to get back in it.

Filius and Walker led the Ponies with 11 points each and both players made at least two 3-pointers. Miller also scored 10 points for the Ponies. Havre shot 48.8 percent from the field and took almost twice as many shots as the Broncos.

"When everybody works hard and plays their best, we all get going and our defense picks up our offense," Walker said.

Layne Kearns led the Broncos with 24 points. While the Ponies had limited her in the first half, Kearns exploded in the second half as she tried to give her team a fighting chance. While Hamilton shot 40.9 percent from the field and 60 percent from beyond the arc, they only took 22 shots on the game.

Hamilton came into the tournament after a third-place finish in the Western A Divisional. They will now play in a loser-out game today at 1 p.m. against Glendive.

Havre will next play tonight against Western A champion Columbia Falls, who beat Glendive, 37-21, Wednesday morning. The Wildcats are undefeated this season, and are led by the high-scoring Hannah Schweikert, who averages 17 points per game. Maddie Robinson also averages 12 points for a Columbia Falls squad that scores 60 points per night and won the Western A title last week.

"Columbia Falls, they always have good athletes. They're playing well right now," Kraske said.

Havre will resume tournament play today at 5:30 p.m. at the Great Falls Four Seasons Arena.

Spectator Note: The Montana High School Association is now allowing schools to sell the remainder of the alotted tickets that were made available, so Blue Pony fans can contact Havre High School to purchase the 230 remaining Havre High tickets for the state tournament. Cost is $20.

Havre 54, Hamilton 37

Hamilton 3 8 18 10 – 37

Havre 15 15 18 6 – 54

Hamilton – Layne Kearns 24, Rylee Brackman 4, Maggie Ringer 4, Katelyn Dickemore 3, Mya Winkler 2.

Havre – Kylie Walker 11, Sadie Filius 11, Yelena Miller 10, Avery Carlson 6, Kennedy Hampton 6, Loy Waid 5, Sydney Wilting 3, Quinn McDonald 1, Alyssa Oliver 1.