Blue Ponies prepared to butt heads with Billings Central

Despite having a young team coming into the season, the Havre High boys basketball team has been able to grind it out on the road for two wins to start the year. The Blue Ponies will have another test this weekend when they host defending state champion Billings Central this Saturday afternoon at Blue Pony Gymnasium. While the Rams have lost some players from last year, HHS head coach Walynn Burgess expects a tough outing this weekend.

"I know they got some new faces and we got some new faces. We're just going to go compete and see where we're at," Burgess said. "We're excited about the opportunity to have that challenge in front of us to see where we're at and where we need to grow."

The Rams are off to a 1-0 start this season after holding on to defeat Hardin, 75-74, in their season opener this past Tuesday. Not only will the Ponies be trying to snap a seven-game winning streak for the Rams dating back to last season, but Havre will be hoping to avenge last season's postseason loss. In the Eastern A Divisional last year, the Rams defeated the Ponies, 60-55, in the semifinal to send the Ponies to the consolation bracket where their season ultimately ended.

Even though they lost some players, the Rams do have some key returners that can give Havre some trouble. Brock Blatter returns for his senior season after an all-state season last year. Cayden Merchant returns for the Rams after being named second team all-conference last year. In the season opener against Hardin, Merchant led the Rams with 22 points.

"Those guys just play hard and they get after it," Burgess said about the Rams. "Very fundamentally sound. Just a good team that is going to help give us a measuring stick to see where we're at."

Just like the Rams, the Ponies have lost many players from last year. But through their first two games of the season, their returning seniors have led the way. In the season opening win at Laurel, Caleb Spangler scored 15 points and Caden Jenkins scored 11 for the Ponies. In the win at Malta this past Tuesday, Josh Currie scored 19 points in the come-from-behind victory. However, Burgess believes their early success this year all comes down to teamwork.

"Best thing we've done is we're playing together," Burgess said. "It's just kids buying into the fact that we are trying to do it together. No one is better than the other person."

The Ponies also look forward to playing at home for the first time this season. Even though it will be against a tough Billings Central squad, the Ponies are more than excited to get to face them with the Havre community behind them.

"We're really excited about getting back into the corral," Burgess said. "We always get good support and it's just really exciting to get back on the home floor."

The Ponies will host the Rams at Blue Pony Gymnasium Saturday at 3:30 p.m.