Havre girls basketball takes care of business against Miles City, Hardin

Heading into this past weekend, the Havre High girls basketball team was looking to keep its five-game winning streak. It was not easy on the road, but the Blue Ponies kept the streak alive with a 50-48 win over Miles City Friday night and then a 63-56 win over Hardin Saturday.

The Ponies’ game against Miles City started competitive enough as the teams fought to a 9-9 stalemate in the first quarter. But the Ponies took control with a 7-2 run to close the quarter and to take a 16-11 lead. Amaya Jarvis got hot with a pair of 3-pointers during this stretch.

The Ponies then started the second quarter on a 9-0 run to push their lead to 25-11. Tierra Parker got going for the Ponies with a pair of baskets. But over the rest of the second quarter, the Cowgirls responded with a 13-5 run to cut Havre’s lead to 30-24 heading to halftime. During this stretch, the Cowgirls knocked down four 3-pointers as a team.

The Cowgirls carried their momentum into the third quarter as they cut the deficit to 39-37. Early in the fourth, the Ponies had a 41-39 lead that they were clinging onto. Three straight free throws then gave Miles City a 42-41 lead halfway through the fourth.

Avery Carlson answered for Havre with a three to give the Ponies the lead again. But Miles City would not go away. As the game went into its final moments, the contest was tied 48-48. However, Ariana Gary came up clutch as she made a layup in the final moments to give Havre the 50-48 victory.

The Ponies got off to a better start in their game against Hardin Saturday. After trailing, 3-2, a couple baskets from Carlson and a three from Jarvis gave Havre a 9-3 lead. After a Hardin bucket, the Ponies went on a 13-0 run to end the quarter. Jarvis continued to make an impact with eight points during this stretch to help Havre take a 22-5 lead.

The Ponies opened the second quarter with a pair of baskets to push their lead to 26-5. The Bulldogs got going in the second quarter but the Ponies stayed consistent as they took a 35-18 lead into halftime.

The Ponies continued to play well in the third quarter as they took a 53-34 lead into the fourth quarter. However, the Bulldogs never gave up. Even with a 10-point deficit with little time remaining, the Bulldogs scored a couple baskets down the stretch to make their loss come by single digits.

With the postseason fast approaching, the Ponies are playing some of their best ball as they have now won seven games in a row. The Ponies have now finished the season 8-0 in the Northeast A and they have improved their overall record to 12-4 this season. The Ponies will look to build off these wins as they head into the closing weeks of the season.

The HHS girls basketball will next play against Fairfield at Havre High Gymnasium this Friday at 6 p.m.

Havre 50, Miles City 48

HAV - 16 14 9 11 - 50

MC - 11 13 13 11 - 48

HAV - Yelena Miller 19, Amaya Jarvis 13, Avery Carlson 8, Ariana Gary 6, Tierra Parker 4.

MC - Jillian Kanduch 18, Alli Glasscock 12, Heidi Phalen 7, Laney Smith 5, Rylee Smith 4, Alora Baker 2.

Havre 63, Hardin 56

HAV - 22 13 17 11 - 63

HAR - 5 13 16 22 - 56

HAV - Amaya Jarvis 21, Avery Carlson 15, Yelena Miller 10, Ariana Gary 10, Lizzi Haney 2, Kyanna Jarvis 2, Sierra Parker 2, Tierra Parker 2.

HAR - Diamond Amyotte 11, Aiyanna Big Man 10, Dierra Takes Enemy 10, Katerena Morrison 6, Carlei Plainfeather 5, Dallyn Lopez 4, Alexis Morrison 4, Karis Brightwings-Pease 2, Starry Roundface 2, Johanna Limberhard 2.