Blue Ponies come up short

At the Class A State Tournament in Butte this past weekend, the Havre girls basketball team looked to go on a run and win its fourth straight state championship. But the Blue Ponies can no longer call themselves the defending champions as they lost to Billings Central, 56-49, in the semifinals and then lost to Dillon, 58-55, in a loser-out game to end their season.

The Ponies were sent to the loser-out bracket after losing, 56-49, to the Billings Central Rams in the semifinals this past Friday. The Rams kept it close as the contest was tied, 12-12, heading to the second quarter. But the Ponies were able to pull ahead for a 24-22 lead heading into halftime.

The Rams responded in the third quarter to take a 39-38 lead over the Ponies. The Rams then did just enough in the fourth quarter to pull out the win to advance to the championship game and end the Ponies' hopes for a fourth straight state championship. Ariana Gary led the Ponies with 13 points while Amaya Jarvis scored 11 points for Havre.

After losing the night prior, the Ponies looked to respond when they faced Dillon in a loser-out game this past Saturday morning. But the Ponies could not advance to the consolation game as they suffered a 58-55 loss to the Beavers to end their season.

The Ponies started the game strong as they took a 10-8 lead over the Beavers in the first quarter. But Dillon responded to take a 29-25 lead into halftime. The Ponies got back on track in the third quarter as they took control with a 45-38 lead heading into the fourth.

But in the final frame of their season, the Ponies could not keep pace as the Beavers raced past them for the lead and the victory. In their final game of the season, the Ponies were led by Gary and Jarvis with 14 points each.

With the loss, the Ponies' season came to an end. While they could not win a fourth straight title and did not place at the Class A State Tournament, the Ponies still had a strong season where they went 19-5 and won the Eastern A Divisional title. But as they look forward to next season, the Ponies will be looking to do better to make a run to claim the Class A State crown. 

Friday 

Billings Central 56, Havre 49, Semifinal 

HAV - 12 12 14 11 - 49

BC - 12 10 17 17 - 56

HAV - Ariana Gary 13, Amaya Jarvis 11, Emilee Chambliss 10, Tierra Parker 6, Ela Harber 5, Kyanna Jarvis 4. 

BC - Coral Old Bull 15, Kamryn Reinker 14, Annika Stergar 13, Ryen Hadley 6, GG Hastings 5, Amaya Lorash 2, Lyssa Peterson 1. 

Saturday 

Dillon 58, Havre 55, LO

DIL - 8 21 9 20 - 58

HAV - 10 15 20 10 - 55

DIL - Sydney Petersen 19, Kenleigh Graham 15, Halle Fitzgerald 13, Kylie Konen 9, Leila Stennerson 2. 

HAV - Ariana Gary 14, Amaya Jarvis 14, Tierra Parker 11, Emilee Chambliss 8, Kyanna Jarvis 6, Ela Harber 2.