Havre boys basketball set for conference opener

The Havre High boys basketball team has already gone through many ups and downs through the first few weeks of the season. The Blue Ponies started the year with two tough wins on the road, including a last-minute comeback against Malta. They then suffered their first loss of the season to defending state champ Billings Central in their home opener last weekend.

Now the young Ponies get ready to host a back-to-back against Glendive and Sidney this weekend at the Havre High Gymnasium. With two strong conference teams coming in, HHS head coach Walynn Burgess only has one expectation for his team as they begin play in the Northeast A.

"Got to just go and compete," Burgess said. "It's always good to see where we're at when you get two conference games with two good conference teams coming in and just got to learn how to compete."

The Ponies will first play Glendive this Friday night. The Red Devils enter the weekend with a 2-1 record this season. Last weekend, they defeated Sidney, 64-47, to open conference play. Last season, the Ponies split with the Devils as the Ponies won, 56-47, at home and lost, 45-44, on the road.

The Ponies will have to deal with the Devils' experienced lineup this weekend. Michael Murphy returns for the Devils after a first-team all-conference season last year. Parker Buckley and Max Eaton should also make an impact after being named second-team all-conference last year. Burgess also expects Riley Basta to round out the Glendive lineup and make trouble for the Ponies.

"They move it well. They got some really good players," Burgess said. "They're just really tough. They're well rounded. They got a couple shooters. They got good guards. They got everything you want in a team so it's going to be a good battle for us on Friday."

Havre will then play Sidney Saturday afternoon to wrap up the weekend. The Eagles have a 2-1 record this season with their lone loss coming in conference play to Glendive. Last year, Havre won both games against an inexperienced Sidney team by an average score of 33 points.

The Eagles should be more experienced this year with their returning players. Jerome Entz returns for his senior season after being named honorable mention all-conference last season. Sidney also sees Chase Waters return so Burgess expects the Eagles to play hard this weekend.

"They were younger last year but a lot of their kids are returning," Burgess said. "They'll be a good battle for us."

The Ponies are coming off a 50-38 loss to defending state champions Billings Central last weekend in their home opener. In the week since, Burgess believes his young team has been responding well in practice. However, he knows that will not matter on the court this weekend unless the Ponies play hard.

"We're just going to compete from first whistle to last whistle," Burgess said. "You got to protect your home floor. They're going to come in and give us their best effort and we're just going to have to match their effort."

The Ponies will first play Glendive at HHS Gymnasium this Friday at 7:30 p.m. Havre will then host Sidney at home Saturday at 4 p.m. Havre wraps up the 2021 portion of its schedule Tuesday night at home against arch rival Lewistown.