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Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Curt Leeds

Havre native, and former Havre High Blue Pony standout Curt Leeds was recently named the new head boys basketball coach. And with the annual HHS summer camp in full swing, Leeds has finally been able to get a closer look at what he is working with.

Leeds was a former varsity basketball, track and football star as a Blue Pony. But with his playing days behind him, Leeds has spent the last five years as a basketball, track and football coach. Leeds spent his first year coaching as the HHS boys freshman basketball coach, but spent the last four years in Shelby, with the Class B Coyotes. Leeds was the head track coach the last two years, but was also the assistant basketball coach under Tom Reynolds, another former Havre High great. Leeds was also the head football coach in Shelby last season.

But now Leeds has a shot at reclaiming success as a Blue Pony, this time as a coach and not a player.

As a former HHS basketball player, Leeds found his way onto the varsity squad for three seasons, playing under head coach Mark West. But Leeds was also part of the 2002-03 team that won the Central A regular season title.

Leeds is taking over a very young Blue Pony squad, and the last time the Havre Daily News caught up with Leeds, there was still a lot of mystery for the newly named head coach. Now with weeks of open gyms behind him, and now smack dab in the middle of camp, Leeds has a better idea of what he is dealing with moving forward.

Here's five questions with Havre's new boys basketball coach as he conducts his first Blue Pony Camp this week.

HDN: Was it exciting or kind of a relief to finally get the opportunity to work with your new team?

Leeds: "It was exciting, definitely exciting. I love the game of basketball and I love that this opportunity was given to me, and we are ready to just get out there and play some basketball. I couldn't wait for this camp to start, we have had open gym for a couple of weeks and went to the Cut Bank tournament, but that was with just about 10 kids. Now I am working with 22, so I have a better perspective of what we have."

HDN: Now that you have been able to get a look at your team, were there any surprises?

Leeds: "I was surprised with the potential of the freshmen class and some of the eighth graders. I was not expecting that and there is a lot of potential and talent to build towards the future with. We are young, but we are going to get after it."

HDN: What will be the biggest difference making a move from Class B basketball to Class A.

Leeds: "The biggest difference for me right now is getting to know all of the Class A teams. Competition wise, I don't think it is going to be much different, the 1B and Northern B is great basketball. The competition levels aren't going to be much different, but for me, it is going to be about learning about the other coaches and that is going to be my challenge."

HDN: What was the first order of business when meeting your players for the first time?

Leeds: "The main thing was just getting to know all of their personalities and getting all of our personalities to mesh. I need to understand how they are, just as they need to understand how I am. I needed to figure out how I can talk to one kid, compared to how I can talk to another. That is just a big part, just getting our personalities to mesh together."

HDN: Explain what it feels like being back in the Blue Pony gymnasium as the head coach instead of a player.

Leeds: "I am young enough to where I still love being out on the court. It is different because before, it was me or my teammate with the ball, and now in certain situations I have to choose who needs the ball in their hands. It is different that way, but nothing has changed when it comes to pride. I played with pride and represented Havre well, and I want my kids to do the same."

New Havre High head boys basketball coach Curt Leeds gives instruction during Monday's session of the Blue Pony Basketball Camp at the Havre High gymnasium. Leeds is taking over the head boys job at HHS, after being a player for the Ponies in high school.

 

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