Five things to watch in local high school girls basketball this season

Here we go. High school basketball is back on the Hi-Line, and it's going to be one fast-paced and fun season.

As always, from the Havre Blue Ponies to District 9C and everything in between, the Hi-Line has some of the best basketball in Montana and 2022-23 should be no different.

So before the season gets underway, here's a look at five things to watch in girls basketball this coming season.

1. Shot-Clock Era Begins

The first season of the shot clock in Montana is here. Schools had a little over six months to install them, and use summer basketball to get players and teams used to using them. The shot clock is something Montanan's have clamored for for some time now, and now we get the opportunity to see just how it will affect high school hoops.

2. Havre Dynasty

Many pundits will say its not if the Havre High girls win the Class A state championship, instead, that it's a foregone conclusion. Of course, longtime head coach Dustin Kraske won't see it that way. Instead, he'll have his Blue Ponies ready to grind, and ready to face a host of new challenges this season. Still, the Ponies have become an incredible and elite program at any level of high school basketball in Montana, having won four of the last five Class A state championships. And with another senior-laden team, including Class All-Staters Yelena Miller and Avery Carlson, back the Ponies are primed for another run at yet another title come March.

3. Is Fort Benton back in the 9C?

For almost a decade now, the 9C has been dominated by either Box Elder or Fort Benton. That was no different last year when the Lady Bears made it all the way to the state chipper. However, Box Elder graduated a ton of talent, while Fort Benton returns a ton of talent, so things could be flipped, yet again, this season, as the Longhorns appear to be the top team heading into the new season.

4. Can Harlem keep going?

The Harlem Wildcats have had a great run, winning District 2B and Northern B titles, and playing in state tournaments over the last five seasons. Graduation did hit Harlem heavy this last spring, but Brandon Trottier's team is still talented and, overall, Harlem has now begun to match Malta as a 2B contender every single season, and this winter should be no different.

5. Who else in the 9C?

Though Box Elder and Fort Benton have been 9C powerhouses seemingly every season, other teams like Turner and North Star have also stepped up recently, So too has Hays-Lodge Pole. This winter, though, it is likely to be the return of two old-school 9C powers. Chinook and Big Sandy both look to be bringing strong teams into the new season, so keep your eye on both of those squads as the winter rolls on.