First Look: Ponies in a familiar field at state

In just a little over 24 hours, the Havre High boys basketball team will play in its second straight Class A state tournament. And when the Ponies finally take the floor Thursday night at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, the field will look much the same as it did a year ago.

However, as Havre prepares to take on Billings Central in the opening round of the 2015 state tourney at 8 p.m. Thursday, one thing about the tourney, and the Ponies is very different. This time around, Havre has some state tournament experience to draw on.

A year ago, the Ponies, starting three sophomores and a junior, were playing in their first state tournament in nearly a decade. That HHS team went 1-2 in Great Falls, but now, the Ponies go to Bozeman with a much more experienced group, as all five starters, Dane Warp, Jerod Boles, Nate Rismon, and big men Michael Bakke and Jase Kato all played a significant role at the state tourney last March in Great Falls.

However, while Havre has a wealth of experience now, and the most dangerous player in Class A in Warp, this weekend's state tournament is also loaded with dangerous, experienced teams. In fact, six of the eight teams in the field in Bozeman were at state a year ago, with only Butte Central and Havre's opponent, Billings Central, not being in Great Falls — and those two teams are both expected to be very tough to beat this weekend.

And of the six teams returning to the Class A field this weekend, the top four from a year ago are in that group. Columbia Falls beat Dillon for the 2014 state title, and those two squads are a combined 36-4 this winter. And Laurel and Belgrade played in the consolation game last March, and those two are also returning to the state tournament for the second year in a row, just like Havre and the Polson Pirates are as well.

So, while the Blue Ponies are certainly going to be a force this weekend in Bozeman, the Class A state tournament will be one for the ages, as all of the big guns from this season have made it to the final weekend of the year.

Here's a glance at the 2015 state tournament in Bozeman, team-by-team.

Belgrade Panthers (15-6)

Central A Champion

The Panthers won the last-ever Central A title in a double-overtime thriller over Havre. Belgrade is also making its fifth straight trip to the state tournament, where a year ago, they finished fourth. Belgrade, which plays Laurel in the first round, is a senior-laden team, with scoring leader Keldan Lamb, and inside powers Koby Ruff and Brayden Konkol pacing the Panthers. And that veteran presence, and the Panthers' exceptional defensive play, could very well lead them to their first state championship game since 1993.

Laurel Locomotives (14-6)

Eastern A Runner-Up

The Locomotives meet the Panthers in a rematch of last year's state tournament consolation game in Great Falls. Laurel has become a fixture at the state tournament in recent years, and the Locomotives' most recent state championship was in 2010. Laurel is another veteran team in the field, led by 6-5 center Zac Allen, as well as 6-2 swingman Tyler Thompson. But overall, the Locomotives are deep and experienced, and despite finishing second in the Eastern A two weeks ago, they are once again one of the teams to beat this week in Bozeman.

Columbia Falls Wildcats (17-3)

Northwest Champion

No one has been more dominant in Class A in recent years than Columbia Falls. And head coach Cary Finberg's team is back to defend its 2014 state championship. Since 2003, the Wildcats have won five state titles and played in eight state championship games, including their 56-47 win over Dillon a year ago. This week in Bozeman, the Wildcats will have a big size advantage again, with four players at 6-4 or better, including 6-6 Grant Wallace. Ty Morgan and Grant Stenger are also players to watch for the defending champions, who open the tournament with Butte Central.

Butte Central Maroons (13-8)

Southwest Runner-Up

The Maroons have a big challenge in front of them in the form of Columbia Falls. But coming out of the difficult Southwest A, the Maroons will be battle tested. Led by the ultra-athletic Danny Peoples, as well as the powerful Marcus Ferriter, the Maroons are much better, and much more talented than their record would indicate. They have beaten some of the best teams in the state already this season, and they could certainly be the dark horse in the tournament, if they can find a way to knock off the Wildcats in the first round. Butte Central has always been a perennial power in boys basketball, but the Maroons haven't won a state title since 1992.

Dillon Beavers (19-1)

Southwest Champion

The only team to have as much success at the state tourney as Columbia Falls the last decade is Dillon. The Beavers have played in five state championship games and won three state titles since 2006, with the last coming in 2012. And there's no reason why the Beavers can't contend for another crown this weekend. Led by veteran coach Terry Thomas, the Beavers are a senior-oriented team with a ton of athleticism and depth. J.D., Justin and Jason Ferris are just three of the stars on a loaded Dillon roster.

Polson Pirates (10-11)

Northwest Runner-Up

The Pirates are one of six teams which are in the state tourney field for the second year in a row. And they are charged with taking on Dillon in the first round. Polson is also the only team in the field this year with a sub .500 record, but the Pirates will certainly not be an easy out. Led by Wyatt DuCharme and the athletic Tanner Wilson, the Pirates will be looking to spring upsets this weekend.

Billings Central Rams (14-6)

Eastern A Champion

The Rams, of head coach Jim Stergar, are back in the state tourney field after missing out a year ago. Like Columbia Falls, Billings Central has a big edge in height this weekend, led by 6-7 forward Dillon Meyer. And across the board, the Rams are big and athletic, with the likes of 6-3 Holden Ryan and 6-2 Zac Hanser at the guard position. Billings Central is yet another traditional Class A power, but the Rams haven't won a state title since 1996. However, they did reach the championship game just two years ago, and they're hoping for a similar road this weekend in Bozeman.

Havre Blue Ponies (15-7)

Central A Runner-Up

Standing in the Rams' way in the first round are the Blue Ponies. Havre is making its second straight state tourney appearance, and the Ponies are loaded with players who saw state tournament action a year ago. Ever so close to winning the Central A title two weeks ago in Great Falls, the Ponies' junior star Dane Warp will be the focus of Billings Central's defense, and everyone else's. Warp is scoring 24 points per game entering the state tourney, and he'll draw lots of attention this week. But, the Ponies have become very balanced in recent games, and have legitimate scoring threats in Jerod Boles, Nate Rismon, Michael Bakke and Jase Kato, as well as strong role players in Jacob LaBrie and Nate Korb. Much more experienced this season than last, Havre could end up being one of the surprise teams in the field when the tournament is done. The Ponies are seeking their first state title since 1994.