Blue Ponies lose to Billings Central to start Eastern A Divisional

After several months of hard work, the Havre High boys basketball team finally began the postseason Thursday at the Metra in Billings. But in their first game of the Eastern A Divisional, the Blue Ponies suffered a 49-46 loss to Billings Central.

It was a tight game throughout the afternoon, but the Rams had the lead late into the game. The Rams had a 49-46 lead with less than 20 seconds left on the clock, but the Ponies got the ball back with a chance to tie the game. However, the Ponies turned the ball over and time ran out for them.

The Ponies fell behind early as the Rams jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Jaden Sanchez got going early with a pair of baskets. After Crawford Terry scored to get Havre on the board, the Rams went on a 6-0 run to push their lead to 13-2.

The Ponies got back in the game with a pair of 3-pointers, cutting their deficit to 15-8 to end the opening frame. After the Rams pushed their lead to 19-10 early in the second, the Ponies went on a 10-0 run to take the lead. Tre Gary got on a roll with five points during this stretch.

The Rams responded with a three from Kyler Northrop and a basket from Sanchez to take a 24-20 lead. Gary responded with a basket, but Northrop scored again to give the Rams a 26-22 lead at the halftime break.

The Ponies started the second half on a 9-3 run. A three from Reid Kato gave Havre a 31-29 lead early in the third. The Rams responded with a pair of buckets to retake the lead, but a bucket from Xavier Butler and a free throw from Kash Keller tied the game at 34-34. Kade Boyd scored late in the third to give the Rams a 36-34 lead heading into the fourth.

The Rams played well through most of the fourth as they took a 45-39 lead into the final four minutes of the game. But the Ponies fought their way back. Late in the game, Shane Patacsil and Terry made a pair of baskets to cut the Rams' lead to 48-46 lead with 25 seconds left.

Kaden McMinn made one of two free throws, leaving the door open as the Ponies only trailed by three. But they turned the ball over right back to the Rams. The Rams missed the following free throw, but the Ponies did not have enough time to get the ball up the court for a good shot.

Gary finished the game with 10 points to lead the Ponies. Terry scored nine for Havre while Patacsil added seven for the Ponies. Northrop led the Rams with 18 points while Sanchez scored 10 points in the winning effort.

With the loss, the Ponies will have to play Laurel in a loser-out game today. If they lose that game, their season would come to an end. The Ponies defeated Laurel, 72-44, all the way back in December, so they will need to repeat that performance if they want to keep their hopes of a spot in the Class A State Tournament alive.

The HHS boys basketball team will play Laurel in a loser-out game today at noon at the Metra in Billings.

Billings Central 49, Havre 46

HAV - 8 14 12 12 - 46

BC - 15 11 10 13 - 49

HAV - Tre Gary 10, Crawford Terry 9, Shane Patacsil 7, Carter Spangler 5, Jackson Headdress 5, Kash Keller 4, Reid Kato 3, Xavier Butler 3.

BC - Kyler Northrop 18, Jaden Sanchez 10, Kaden McMinn 8, Darcy Merchant 7, Kade Boyd 4, Maddox Roberts 2.