Blue Ponies ready to for another title run

The Havre High girl's basketball team has cemented itself as one of the best basketball programs in Montana. Over the past two seasons, the Blue Ponies won two straight Class A state titles and will now be looking for their third as they head into their new season this winter. As they head into another season, HHS head coach Dustin Kraske has the same expectations that he always has for his team.

"(Our expectations are the) same as they've been the last few years: Work to get better every day in practice and continue to develop the skills of learning how to play together," Kraske said.

The Ponies return several players from last year's state title team such as all-state players Avery Carlson and Yelena Miller. Alongside them will be fellow seniors Lizzi Haney, Molly Huse and Danni Wirtzberger. With other players like Kyanna Jarvis and Elle Verploegen on the roster, the Ponies will look to rely on their defensive intensity again.

"We've been relying on our defensive enthusiasm and effort the last two years and we feel like that is a strength in our program every year so we're hoping to continue that this year," Kraske said. "We'll put some pressure on the basketball, help each other well and then rebound so those will be fundamental skills defensively that we're going to be working on quite a bit all season long."

Of course, the Ponies will have to score points this season to be successful. While they are a defensive-minded team, Kraske expects the Ponies to be reliable on offense this winter.

"Offensively, I like our team speed, I like our athleticism and I like how hard our kids work. They share the ball well, so we're excited," Kraske said.

If the Ponies want to repeat, they will have to navigate a tough schedule. They start the season on the road this weekend with a game against Laurel before coming back for their home opener to play Billings Central Dec. 10. This will be an early-season test for the Ponies and will be a rematch of a 37-30 win for Havre in last year's state championship game.

The Ponies will then begin their season in the Northeast A with road games at Glendive and Sidney. Then Dec. 22, the Ponies return home to face Malta. The Ponies will then wrap up 2022 with a few days later with a conference game on the road against Lewistown.

The Ponies open 2023 with a back-to-back at home with games against Miles City and Hardin. After a road trip to Fairfield, the Ponies will have three straight home games against Browning, Glendive and Sidney. The Ponies will then head to Malta for a road game and will then wrap up January with a game against Lewistown at the Metra in Billings.

In February, the Ponies will play four more games in the regular season. The Ponies open the month with a back-to-back on the road against Miles City and Hardin. The Ponies will then play Fairfield Feb. 10 in their final home game before playing Browning on the road to wrap up the regular season.

Kraske believes that Laurel and Billings Central will be tough opponents to start the season. Other teams that Kraske expects battles against this season include Malta and conference foe Lewistown.

"A great majority of our schedule is going to be against really good teams," Kraske said about the schedule. "The non-conference schedule will have opportunities for us to improve."

The Ponies will begin the postseason Feb. 21 with Eastern A Divisionals in the Metra in Billings. If they do well there, the Ponies will once again play in the Class A State tournament in Bozeman as they try to win another state championship. If the Ponies want to bring home another championship, Kraske believes every player will have to play their individual part.

"For a team to reach its greatest potential, the kids have to buy into playing together and then playing their roles well," Kraske said. "Not to make it as simple as that, but they got to play together on both ends of the floor and do their role to the best of their ability."

HHS girls basketball will begin its quest for another state title Friday at 6 p.m. with a road game against Laurel.