Great Falls High too much for Blue Pony girls

All the Havre High girls basketball team can do after a night like Great Falls High treated them to, is learn and hopefully continue to get better.

The hosting Class AA Bison proved to be too much for the Central A Blue Ponies on Thursday night, defeating the Ponies 54-31 in non-conference play in Great Falls. Fans may have been expecting a closer matchup, as the Bison narrowly defeated the Ponies 46-43 in December, but with the surprising lopsided loss, the Ponies' overall record now sits at 7-6.

"We did have pretty good second half and I am pleased with how my kids came out and played," Havre High head coach Dustin Kraske said. "The first half we fell behind and couldn't get her back. But our fourth quarter was great and we will build off of that and move forward. Great Falls High is a good team."

It is too difficult to keep pace with a talented team like the Bison after giving them a healthy lead. And HHS found that out after falling behind 19-6 in the first eight minutes. And to make things even worse, the Ponies trailed 33-15 at intermission.

But the Ponies clawed their way back and gained a little ground in the second half.

After an explosive first half, led by the likes of the Bison's Jessica Keller and Calle Remsen, the Bison offense was held to 21 total second half points. The Ponies managed to put 16 more on the scoreboard in the final 16 minutes, but it was too little too late. The second half had some bright spots for the Ponies. HHS played better overall, as well executed their style of play more efficiently. Coach Kraske said the communication on defense was also there in the second half, while HHS also crashed the boards more aggressively.

"It seemed like there was a better sense of urgency in that second half," Kraske said.

Peyton Filius was missed, especially on the offensive side of the ball, while Brandy Lambourne still led the way with 11 points. Morgan Mazurkiewicz followed with 10, while Lacey Waid added six, and Neya Bischoff added four. Nobody else scored for the Ponies.

Havre will now face the CMR Rustlers on Saturday night at the Havre High gymnasium. That game is slated for 5 p.m.

Great Falls High 54, Havre 31

Havre 6 9 7 9 – 31

GFH 19 14 13 8 – 54

Havre – Brandy Lambourne 3-6 0-0 11, Morgan Mazurkiewicz 4-11 2-5 10, Lacey Waid 3-11 0-1 6, Neya Bischoff 2-7 0-0 4, Haley Ohm 0-2 0-0 0, Tori Mazurkiewicz 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 12-38 2-6 31.

Photo by Rion Sanders/Great Falls Tribune

Havre's Morgan Mazurkiewicz dribbles by Great Falls High's Callee Remsen during Thursday's girls basketball game between the Blue Ponies and Class AA Bison in Great Falls. The Bison beat the Ponies for a second time this season.

– Liz Klinker 1-2 0-0 2, Taylor Kumm -4 2-2 2, Jessica Keller 7-10 0-0 14, Kelsey Devlin 4-7 0-0 8, Callee Remsen 5-11 0-0 10, Brice Henning 1-3 0-0 2, Markaela Francis 3-8 1-2 7, Nora Klick 3-7 1-1 7, Mikaela Kynett 0-3 0-0 0, Darbi Fought 1-2 0-0 2, Gabby Fought 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 25-58 4-5 54.

3-pointers: Havre 3-11 (Lambourne 3-5, M. Mazurkiewicz 0-4, Wade 0-2), GFH 0-9 (Klinker 0-1, Kumm 0-3, Remsen 0-1, Klick 0-3, Kynett 0-2, G. Fought 0-1). Total fouls: Havre 9, GFH 15. Fouled out – none.