Havre Daily News - News you can use

I know, most people aren't done with their holiday shopping. In fact, I'm not done either.

But starting Thursday night, it might be time for sports fans in the area to take a break from the shopping and from the decorating and from whatever else is keeping you busy this time of year.

It's time to take a break from all of that and get out and see some special winter sports.

On Thursday night, the Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team will host Carroll College in what is the start of three straight nights of basketball at the newly renovated Armory Gymnasium.

There's a lot of reasons to get out and support the Skylights Thursday night, and playing arch rival Carroll is just one of them.

Thursday night will also be the dedication ceremony for the new-look Armory, and if you haven't seen it yet, you need to go take a look. A new floor, a new paint job, new art and most importantly, all new seating has given the grand old Armory a beautiful new look and will only add to what is already the best home-court advantage in the Frontier Conference.

Thursday night's game is also the opening of Frontier Conference play, and the first truly big game in the Armory this year.

And the Lights follow suit on Friday night. The MSU-N men host Carroll in its Frontier opener Friday night at 7 p.m. and it would be wonderful if the new gym got a sell-out crowd to welcome in the Saints both Thursday and Friday night.

I can still remember just last March when the Lights hosted the Frontier title game in front of one of the most electric crowds in Havre basketball history.

In fact, I think my ears are stiull ringing from that night.

So how cool would it be if Thursday and Friday night, area basketball fans showed up in the same manner and really christened the new Armory in loud and rowdy fashion?

That's what I'm hoping to see Thursday and Friday night.

And if two nights of Carroll College in Havre wasn't enough, the Lights have another chance to play in front of their home crowd on Saturday night. MSU-N returns to non-conference action Saturday with a home game against New Hope Christian.

That's three straight nights of college basketball in Havre. In my opinion, that's a great post Thanksgiving dessert.

And the fun doesn't stop with hoops either.

Friday and Saturday Havre High kicks off the wrestling season with the Havre Invitational at the HHS gymnasium, and next Tuesday, the Lights are on the mat for their annual dual with UGF — which is another big reason to sell out the Armory.

I know we're all busy this time of year. But busy or not, it's time to get back in the gym.