Kason Clark: The last 365 days has really shown me what Hi-Line sports are all about

After arriving at the Havre Daily News at the beginning of 2021, I did not get the chance to fully see what the Hi-Line had to offer in terms of sports. I came at the very end of the high school winter sports season that saw the Havre High girls basketball team win another Class A state championship. Then came spring and summer that had their full seasons, but still did not prepare me for what the Hi-Line had to offer in terms of sports.

But as both the high school and college year began in the fall, I began to see how strong of a sports community that Havre has. It started with my first game at Blue Pony Stadium, which was a venue unlike any I had ever seen. Along with the usual bleachers for the home fans, there was the hill on the other side of the field with its parking spaces that allowed fans to watch the game from their cars. It was an especially strong atmosphere that night as the Blue Ponies hung on to win their season opener at the last second.

I then got to see Tilleman Stadium, the new home venue for Montana State University-Northern football, open itself up to fans for the first time. While the Lights failed to win their season opener and had their struggles throughout the season, the fans always came out and supported the team. Their support eventually came through in a five-overtime win against Eastern Oregon, the Lights’ first conference win in several years.

Even off the football field, the Hi-Line had plenty going on. I got to witness the HHS volleyball team take the next step as a program and finish second in the state tournament. While football usually got the attention, the HHS volleyball still got plenty of support and attention from the Blue Pony community. But the busy fall season did not prepare me for the full slate on winter sports.

The highlight on the Hi-Line last winter was once again the HHS girls basketball team. Throughout the season, the Ponies smother their opponents with strong defense to win many games decisively. It all culminated with another state championship for the Ponies. At points throughout the season, their dominance became mundane to the point I was not expecting a challenge to them until the state title game.

I also got to see the HHS boys basketball team find its way through the course of the year. After finishing the regular season with a losing record, I saw the Ponies put things together to make a run in the postseason and qualify for the state tournament.

The District 9C basketball tournaments were also a sight to behold and cover this past winter. Every team from the contenders to those at the bottom saw support from their fans as they provided an electric atmosphere at HHS Gymnasium over several days.

While I did not get to personally witness most of its season, the HHS wrestling team represented the Hi-Line well on the mats. The highlight for the Ponies was senior Orion Thivierge. The Navy commit already had a stellar career for the Ponies and he capped it off with another state title this past season. Even better was that I saw him win the state title when it was my first time covering the state wrestling tournament at the Metra in Billings, one of the best sports venues in the state.

While things slowed down in the spring, I still got to see the importance of sports on the Hi-Line. On the diamond, the HHS softball team continued their improvement from last season. The Ponies were finally healthy as they went undefeated in conference competition and won their first Northeast A Divisional title in program history. While they did not play many games at home this season, the games I did cover saw the Ponies put on a show as they dominated their opponents.

With the spring over, high school and college sports will go on their breaks before returning in the fall. But even in the summer, the Havre Northstars American Legion baseball club will keep myself as well as sports fans busy for the next few months.

While the Northstars will keep me busy for the next couple months, it will be nothing compared to what the fall and winter slates will have for me later this year. Along with the return of many programs looking to repeat or take that next step towards a state title, there will be others starting over. Both the HHS and the MSU-N football teams have new head coaches heading into this season, so it will be exciting to see if those programs can get on the right track. But all I know is whatever happens, sports on the Hi-Line will be a site to witness.