Chris Peterson
Havre Daily News
cpeterson@havredailynews.com
When the Havre High girls basketball set out at the beginning of the 2005-06 season the expectations were not overly high. In truth, no one expected a lot from a team that was coming off a losing season and a quick exit at the Central A divisional tournament.
However, the Ponies were able to prove their doubters wrong by winning 15 games and finishing second in the conference with an 8-2 record.
“Well, at the start of the year, no one thought that we could win 15 games,” HHS head coach Jason Wirt said. “But the girls worked really hard and they proved people wrong. They did a lot of good things this season and they were a lot of fun to watch. They brought excitement to girls basketball.”
Unfortunately for the Ponies, their bid for their first Class A state tournament appearance in more than five years, came up short when they were upset by the Livingston Rangers in the Central A divisional semifinals.
But even though they didn't make it to state, the Ponies still had a good season and one game cannot take away from that. Some of their achievements include an amazing 13-game winning streak, wins over Malta (twice), Livingston (twice) and Great Falls High, which were all state-tournament teams in their respective classes.
“Only two teams can go to state,” Wirt said. “Not every good team goes to state and the best team doesn't always win state. But, I don't think that should take away from the success we had this year. We beat some good teams in Malta, Great Falls High, Livingston and Cut Bank. And even though it was disappointing not to make it to state, that would not have made the season more gratifying for me. The kids would probably argue about that, but for me the season was very gratifying and I wouldn't trade my team for anyone.”
In addition to a great season, the Ponies also had some great individual performances this season, including a record-breaking senior season by Steph Flatau.
Flatau, who was honored with a first-team All-State selection, set the Havre High record for total rebounds in a season as well as offensive and defensive rebounds in a season. Alexa Lipp also broke the single-game record for 3-pointers made with seven in one game.
Flatau was also named first-team allconference. Lipp and fellow senior Keelie Solomon were named to the second team, and Kelsey Evans earned honorable mention.
“I am glad Steph made it this year, because she deserved it last year and she got the short end of the stick,” Wirt said. “She is a great player that scored about 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds every game. She brought it every single night for us.”
In the end, this season was a step in the right direction for a program that had fallen on hard times, and hopefully this season will be a building block toward future success.
“This class was a great group who worked hard every day and they are a great group of kids. They are the reason you coach,” Wirt said. “I couldn't ask for anymore out of them. Looking back, they were a great team to watch and for awhile we dominated just about everyone we played, and it was great to be a part of that. This team just accomplished so much and did so many things for Blue Pony basketball.”
2006 Central A All-Conference Team
First Team
Jenna Skunkcap, SR Browning
Stephanie Flatau, SR Havre
Brianna Ackerman, JR Park
Tahni Edmo, JR Browning
Sara Meyer, JR Park
Second Team
Bobbi Woodworth, SR Browning
Alexa Lipp, SR Havre
Keelie Solomon, SR Havre
Lynsdi Bayless, JR Lewistown
Heidi Rettig, SR, Lewistown
Honorable Mention
Sage Indendi, SO Park
Lynsdey Green, SO Belgrade
Rikki Ollinger, SR Browning
Necia Knuchel, SR Belgrade
Kelsey Evans, SR Havre
All-State Selections
Jenna Skunkcap, SR Browning
Stephanie Flatau, SR Havre
Brianna Ackerman, SR Park
