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HHS girls welcome in GFH tonight

The Havre High boys and girls basketball teams played the Great Falls High Bison just a little over a month ago. But now, the Blue Ponies are looking to turn the tables on the Bison, coming into the contest much improved.

Havre High's Neya Bischoff lays up a shot during a Central A Conference game against Livingston last month in Havre. The Blue Pony girls step out of conference play tonight to host the Class AA Great Falls High Bison at 7 at the HHS gymnasium. The Pony boys are in Great Falls tonight to battle the Bison.

The HHS girls enter the matchup with a record of 5-1 in conference play and 8-4 overall. And the HHS boys enter the matchup with a record of 3-3 in the conference and a record of 5-8 overall.

Playing at home, the Blue Pony girls are looking to redeem the 54-41 loss the Bison gave the Ponies just six games ago It was a game where the Ponies just didn't play well. HHS struggled on both sides of the ball, the defense couldn't contain the GFH offense, and HHS just couldn't keep up with its offense.

The Bison are a very good team all around, and it is going to take a much better night if the Ponies want to remain competitive and give themselves a shot at winning. Havre will also have to be leery of the likes of Kelsey Devlin and Katie Dolan, especially on defense.

But this isn't the same Blue Pony squad that took the floor earlier in the season. They were young and inexperienced, but come into the hope matchup much improved and more confident in how they want to execute. HHS will look to utilize what they have accomplished in the high tempo scoring abilities of Sammy Evans, Chanal Standing Rock, Peyton Filius, Jaclyn Evans, Brandy Lambourne and Lacey Waid, as well as what they have accomplished in their pressure defense.

On the boys side, playing in Great Falls tonight, the Ponies are also looking to redeem an earlier loss. The Bison defeated the Ponies 38-37 in a game that came down the wire and a questionable no-call by the refs.

This is a Bison team the Ponies can beat. GFH has been playing better basketball as of late, but so has HHS, earning wins over top tier teams such as Malta not too long ago. If the Ponies play to their ability on offense and defense, this is a winnable game, even in a tough road atmosphere.

The first time around the Ponies defense was fantastic. HHS played a 2-3 zone that forced the Bison into 13 turnovers and horrific shooting night of 10-of-46 from the field. Defense will be key again, but HHS also has the ability to play very tough man-to-man or apply a full court press if the Bison are ready for the zone. On the list of scorers to stop will be Dylan Tatarka, Skyke Smalls, Jace Anderegg and Dylan Swandal.

But HHS is also looking to break its offensive slump. Brandon Smith and Ryan Brandt will continue to lead the way, but Brandt has to remain out of foul trouble. And if Thurman Holdsclaw continues to rebound and score like he has, he will be a much needed boost not only tonight, but the remainder of the season.

The Havre girls and Bison will tip of at 7 p.m. tonight at the Havre High gymnasium. And the HHS boys will face the Bison in Great Falls tonight at 7:30 p.m.

 

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