George Ferguson Column: Two awesome teams, one great gym and a lot of Pony Pride

For a guy who loves the Havre Blue Pony basketball teams, and pretty much all things University of Montana, next week just doesn't get any better.

That's because the Blue Ponies, both teams, are headed to Missoula for the 2022 Class A state basketball tournament, which will take place inside the famed Dahlberg Arena on UM's campus. And while the Blue Ponies would be happy playing anywhere, for this guy, the fact that they're playing inside Dahlberg is a big cherry on top.

But again, the venue is just icing on the cake, because the real treat next week will be seeing both Havre teams repping the Blue Pony blue at state.

The Havre High girls, now one of the greatest powerhouse programs in Class A history, will be gunning for yet another state championship. Coach Kraske's teams have cut the nets down three of the last four years, and they're poised to do it again this week. Obviously, it won't be easy. Winning state championships never are. But Havre is certainly one of the favorites, with all of the incredible talent on the Pony roster, as well as the leadership of Kraske, who relishes the postseason, and who knows exactly what to do when things are on the line this time of year.

Yes, it will be thrilling to watch the Havre girls as they try to continue to cement an already special legacy. But, as previously mentioned, we also get the chance to watch the Blue Pony boys do the same next week in Missoula.

The HHS boys already treated all of Pony Nation to a thrill ride at last week's Eastern A in Billings. Down a few times, but obviously never out, the Ponies fought their way through the consolation bracket, ultimately knocking off defending state champion Billings Central to punch their ticket to state.

The Havre boys are an awesome story this year, and we all couldn't be happier for head coach Walynn Burgess, and the entire Pony squad for truly earning their way to the state tournament. It's the culmination of a ton of hard work that I personally know Burgess and the work his program put in, and, a testament to not only their talent and skill, but their perseverance. Indeed, the Pony boys, all season long, and especially at divisionals, showed us all what it means to never give in, to never throw in the towel, and perhaps most importantly, never stop chasing dreams and goals.

And because of that perseverance, that dogged mentality, next week in Missoula, we get not one, but two Pony teams to cheer for, to watch and to be proud of.

So congrats to coach Kraske, to coach Burgess, to all the coaches and players of both Blue Pony basketball teams. And thank you for giving us all one more week of Pony hoops. We're all excited to watch you great things at state, and as a little bonus, I'm excited to see both teams tip it up on the famed Griz logo.

So in the immortal words of the G.O.A.T. Tony Brady, Blue Pony basketball ... Let's Go.