Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Neya Bischoff

Neya Bischoff is quickly growing as one of Havre High's top female athletes. And still in her junior year, she has plenty of time to keep improving and to keep climbing the ladder.

Bischoff has participated in a multitude of sports, both with and without a Blue Pony uniform. She has been on the basketball team since her freshman year, and even got limited minutes on varsity last season. She has ran for the HHS cross country team for the last three years, as well as participated in softball her freshman year and track and field as a sophomore.

And outside of school, Bischoff also rides horses, giving her a solid background in sporting all across the board.

Now currently as a post player for the Blue Pony basketball team in her junior season, Bischoff has shown a lot of potential for not only this post season, but next year as a senior as well.

So far this season, Bischoff has averaged four points per game as well as four rebounds per game. She also shares the team lead for most defensive boards with 48, while she leads the team with five blocks.

Bischoff has earned a lot of key minutes this season, and should do so again this weekend at the Central A divisional tournament in Great Falls.

Here's five questions with Havre High's fiery post player

HDN: How did it feel ending the regular season as the No. 1 team in the Central A?

Bischoff: "It is a nice feeling, because last year we weren't the best team. And to have that big of an improvement from last year to this year is exciting for everybody. We wrote down goals this year, and that was one of our team goals, to take first in our league."

HDN: What is the toughest part about the post position?

Bischoff: "Well obviously I am not the tallest, and you are always getting beat around and pushed around a lot by girls that are bigger. I am always having to fight back and trying to help my team out by talking to them."

HDN: What does the team have to do well at the divisional tournament to stay competitive and find some success this weekend?

Bischoff: "We have to play hard, be smart, play together and have fun out there. If we aren't having a good time, we aren't going to have a good game."

HDN: With what the team has already accomplished this season, and with a good chance at reaching the state tournament, what will truly make this a successful season?

Bischoff: "If we win divisionals and go to state and do good there. I think we are a really good team and have a shot at making state, so that would be exciting and a good way to end the year. It would be disappointing (not to make state), we have worked so hard and are so close."

HDN: What kind of extra work have you put in outside of practice to become the basketball player you are now?

Bischoff: "During the summer I go to a lot of camps and tournaments. And on Sundays and Saturdays if we don't have practice, I go and work out and shoot around. I work on free throws and post moves and my shooting. I feel like I have improved a lot from last year to this year because I have been working with weights to get stronger, and working out a lot more than I usually do, because I would like to play in college."

Havre High junior Neya Bischoff (left) is a multi-talented athlete who gives the Blue Ponies some strength and toughness in the paint.