Ponies falter at divisionals

Havre basketball team struggles after halftime in two tough losses

BUTTE The tonic the Havre basketball team consumed before

its victory against fourth-ranked Browning last Thursday in

the first round of the Central A Divisional tournament

turned sour during the course of the weekend.

Havre faltered badly in the second half of games Friday and

Saturday, losing to Butte Central (63-34) and Lewistown

(49-37) to be ousted from the tournament and watch its

season end at 6-15 overall.

In Friday's semifinal contest, Butte Central staked a 26-21

halftime lead over the Ponies, but the game did not remain

close after that.

The Maroons outscored Havre 19-6 in the third period to

take a 45-27 lead entering the final quarter. Butte Central

didn't allow the Ponies a chance to rally, putting up 16

fourth-quarter points compared to Havre's seven.

Sigurdur Einarsson led Butte Central with 17 points, and

Tyler McIntyre added 13.

Tyler Vincent and Mike Frey scored eight points apiece for

Havre.

In Saturday's loser-out game against Lewistown, Havre took

a 29-26 lead into the fourth period, but the Ponies ran out

of gas.

Havre, which led 20-12 at halftime, was outscored 23-8 in

the final quarter to see that advantage evaporate.

Tagan LaFountain and Andrew Marienberg scored 13 and 12

points, respectively, for Lewistown.

Danny Wirtzberger paced the Ponies with nine points in the

loss.

Dillon claimed the tournament title with a 69-49 victory

over Butte Central in the championship game.

Browning came back from its loss to the Ponies Thursday

with three straight wins to claim third place, including a

61-55 win over Lewistown in the third-fourth place game

Saturday.

BUTTE CENTRAL 63, HAVRE 34

BUTTE CENTRAL (63) Johnson 8, Burns 3, Redekopp 7,

Einarsson 17, Brophy 2, Tippett 9, Boyle 4, McIntyre 13.

HAVRE (34) Wirtzberger 7, Frey 8, Brothers 4, Harada 3,

Pedraza 2, Vincent 8, Wells 2.

Butte Central

8

18

19

16

63

Havre

4

17

6

7

34

LEWISTOWN 49, HAVRE 37

LEWISTOWN (49) Durbin 9, Oldenburg 3, Moen 10, Marienberg

12, LaFountain 13, Sweeney 2.

HAVRE (37) Wirtzberger 9, Frey 7, Fink 5, Harada 5,

Pedraza 6, Vincent 5.

Lewistown

7

5

14

2