Havre basketball teams get season started against Laurel

The season finally kicks off tonight for both the Havre High boys basketball team and the Havre High girl’s basketball team. Unfortunately for local basketball fans, they will only get to watch one of these teams in person as the girls team will be on the road tonight. Either way, both Blue Pony squads will be playing Laurel to open the season.

The HHS boys basketball team will get to stay here in Havre for its game against Laurel. But since Havre High Gymnasium will be used for a wrestling tournament, the Ponies will have to play in the Armory Gymnasium on the Montana State University-Northern campus in their season opener.

The Ponies and Locomotives faced off three times last season with Laurel going 2-1 against Havre. In last season’s opener, the Ponies defeated Laurel, 52-42, on the road. But at the Eastern A Divisionals, the Locomotives defeated the Ponies twice by scores of 49-46 and 48-42.

Against Laurel tonight, the Ponies will need their best players to step up. In the Eastern A Divisionals against Laurel last season, Tre Gary averaged 10.5 points a game. In his three games against Laurel last winter, Xavier Butler averaged seven points a game and will look to do better to start the season.

The HHS girls basketball team will have to go on the road to face Laurel tonight to start the season. The Ponies have won the past two Class A state titles, so they will be looking to begin their quest for a third on a strong note.

Last season, the Ponies and Locomotives faced off in the season opener at the Armory Gymnasium on the MSU-N campus. It was a tough game to start the year, but the Ponies pulled out the 50-47 victory.

The Ponies return several All-State players from last year’s team that will be hoping to start the season strong tonight. In last year’s victory over Laurel, Avery Carlson led her team with 22 points. Yelena Miller will also look for a repeat of her game last year against Laurel where she recorded 13 points.

The HHS boys basketball team will tip off against Laurel tonight at 6 p.m. at Armory Gymnasium on the MSU-N campus. The HHS girls basketball team will head on the road to play Laurel tonight at 6 p.m.