Havre girls win Eastern A Divisionals

This past weekend in Billings, the Havre High girls basketball team opened the postseason strong. It was not always easy, but the Blue Ponies went 3-0 over the weekend to win the Eastern A Divisional Basketball Tournament and qualify for the Class A State Tournament.

The Ponies started the tournament Thursday with a 54-48 win over the Hardin Bulldogs. The Ponies had a slow start as they fell behind 13-11 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs continued to play well as they took a 25-22 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Bulldogs continued to control the game as they took a 42-35 lead into the fourth quarter. But the Ponies finally found their stride as they ended the game on a 19-6 run to come back for the victory to advance in the tournament.

The Ponies continued their run Friday night with their 64-58 win over Lockwood in the semifinal game. The Ponies had another slow start falling behind, 10-7, in the first quarter. Lockwood continued to play well as it took a 25-15 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Ponies found their stride as they cut the deficit to 39-33 heading into the fourth. The Ponies then dominated the final frame to complete the comeback and advance to the Eastern A Divisional championship game. Ariana Gary led Havre with 30 points while her teammate Amaya Jarvis scored 11 points for the Ponies.

The Ponies capped off their run with a 61-59 win over Miles City in overtime in the championship game. The Ponies started strong as they took a 22-20 lead in the first quarter. But the Cowgirls responded to take a 34-33 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Ponies were able to tie the game, 44-44, heading into the fourth. In the final frame, the Ponies and Cowgirls played to a standstill as the game went to overtime tied 54-54.

In overtime, the Ponies did just enough to take the lead and the game from the Cowgirls.

Gary finished the game with a team-high 17 points while her teammate Jarvis contributed 15 points to the winning effort.

With their divisional title, the Ponies qualified for the upcoming Class A State Tournament. They also extended their winning streak to 10 straight games to improve their record to 18-3.

The HHS girls basketball team will next play in the Class A State Tournament in Butte when it faces Browning March 7 at 1 p.m.

Thursday 

Havre 54, Hardin 48

HAR - 13 12 17 6 - 48

HAV - 11 11 13 19 - 54

Friday 

Havre 64, Lockwood 58

LW - 10 15 14 19 - 58

HAV - 7 8 18 31 - 64

LW - Tailey Harris 20, Dani Jordan 11, Lawren DeCrane 11, Lanee Casterline 8, Taysha LittleLight 6, Gracie Kuntz 2. 

HAV - Ariana Gary 30, Amaya Jarvis 11, Sierra Parker 6, Tierra Parker 6, Ela Harber 3, Kyanna Jarvis 5, Emilee Chambliss 3. 

Saturday

Havre 61, Miles City, OT-Championship

HAV - 22 11 9 12 7 - 61

MC - 20 14 8 12 5 - 59

HAV - Ariana Gary 17, Amaya Jarvis 15, Ela Harber 11, Emilee Chambliss 8, Tierra Parker 6, Kyanna Jarvis 4. 

MC - Jillian Kanduch 21, Alli Glasscock 13, Heidi Phelan 11, Camdyn Waterman 9, Ramsey Pryor 3, Sam Peila 2.