Blue Pony girls cruise into Eastern A semifinals

The Havre High girls basketball team has had a strong regular season after winning the state title the previous year. The Blue Ponies went 17-1 on the year and have won 15 games in a row. Now it is time for the Ponies to translate that success into postseason success as they began the Eastern A Divisionals on Thursday afternoon at the First Interstate Arena in Billings. Despite some early trouble, the Ponies defeated Southeast A opponent Lockwood, 64-36, to start the tournament.

"Our kids played great," HHS head coach Dustin Kraske said. "We were maybe a little nervous early but I thought our kids were patient, they did a nice job with our game planning and they were great."

Yelena Miller made her presence felt early with a bucket and a pair of free throws to give Havre a 4-0 lead to start the game. After Tailey Harris knocked down some free throws for the Lions, Lacy Preeshl made a jump shot for the Ponies. The Lions then got a small run as they cut the Havre lead to 8-7 halfway through the opening quarter.

Over the next few minutes, the Ponies took momentum with a 7-0 run. Miller got the run started with a couple of buckets. After Kyanna Jarvis made a free throw for the Ponies, Avery Carlson made a layup to give Havre a 15-7 lead with a minute and a half remaining in the frame.

The Lions responded with a run of their own to get back into the contest. After a score by Delanee Casterline, Harris scored to cut Havre's lead to 15-11 to end the first quarter. A pair of baskets from Dani Jordan and Casterline helped the Lions cut Havre's lead to 17-15 early in the second quarter.

Over the rest of the half, the Ponies demonstrated why they were the defending state champions with a 14-4 run. Sadie Filius got things rolling with a 3-pointer and Jade Wendland made a layup and a three for Havre during the run. A layup from Jarvis gave Havre a 31-19 lead at the half.

The Ponies continued their strong play in the third quarter as they pulled away. Wendland kept things rolling for Havre as she scored eight points during the quarter, including a pair of threes. Filius also scored seven points during the frame to help Havre take a 52-28 lead into the fourth. While the offense got rolling, Kraske believes their defense allowed them to pull away.

"Defensively we were really good and that was kind of the key," Kraske said. "We had some transition buckets which helped a lot. We had good energy off the bench. I just thought our kids played great."

Even in the fourth quarter, the Ponies' defense held strong as they went on to win. Wendland led the Ponies with 16 points while Miller scored 12 and Filius scored ten for Havre. Jordan and Harris each scored ten points for Lockwood.

The Ponies now advance to the semifinals tonight where they will play Hardin. The Ponies have already defeated Hardin twice this season, but Kraske knows that the Bulldogs will be a tough opponent.

"They're such a great team and a great program. We're excited to play them. They got some wonderful players," Kraske said. "It's always physical and it's always a fun time. That's why you're playing, so you can have competition."

The Ponies will play Hardin tonight at 8 p.m. at the Metra in Billings.

Havre 64, Lockwood 36

LOC - 11 8 9 8 - 36

HAV - 15 16 21 12 - 64

LOC - Dani Jordan 10, Tailey Harris 10, Delanee Casterline 7, Karsyn Cookman 3, Gracie Kuntz 3.

HAV - Jade Wendland 16, Yelena Miller 12, Sadie Filius 10, Lacy Preeshl 8, Avery Carlson 7, Kyanna Jarvis 5, Danni Wirtzberger 4.