News you can use

HHS girls game with Browning postponed

Last year, the Havre High girls basketball team nearly ran the table in the Central A. This year, they are off to a great start after winning three conference road games. Now, the Havre girls face a new challenge and that is defending their home court.

The Ponies, who have played every team in the Central A but Browning, will host the Indians tonight in a matchup of state tournament participants from a season ago. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. However, that will not be the only game for Havre this weekend, as the girls will also make the trip to Rocky Boy Saturday night. The start time for that game is set for 5 p.m.

“We have gotten off to a great start in conference and we want to continue that,” HHS head coach Dustin Kraske said. “We are also looking forward to playing out in Rocky Boy. They always seem to play us tougher out there then they do in Havre so that should be a good challenge for us.”

Browning (4-3, 0-1) comes into the HHS gymnasium tonight, having won its past two games over Cut Bank and Conrad in dominant fashion. Yet, the Indians also lost to Fairfield, a team Havre beat on Dec. 21 by a score of 59-20. The Indians also lost to Belgrade, a team Havre beat by 16.

“It’s hard to know with Browning,” Kraske said. “We knew they weren’t going to be as good as they were last year because they lost some good kids. But they always play hard and we are expecting a tough game.”

If the Browning game goes as the Ponies previous Central A contests have gone, there will be little for Kraske to worry about. In three wins over Livingston, Belgrade and Lewistown, Havre has won by an average of 25 points. HHS is also allowing just 30 points per game to its conference opponents.

While the Pony defense is playing lights out, the offense has also carried its weight. Havre is averaging just under 50 points a game (49.9) and the Ponies have a pair of double-digit scorers in Naomi Terry, who is scoring 17 points a night, along with Kyndall Keller, who is averaging 10.9.

Ceyara Plante has been another key contributor for Havre and she is averaging 7.8 points a game. She is also shooting 38 percent from 3-point range, which ties her with Marca Herron and Terry for the team lead. Herron averages five points off the bench for Havre; Danielle Wallace is also averaging 5.1 points and a team-high 4.9 rebounds.

Havre gets 35.5 of its 49.9 points from Terry, Keller and Plante, which leaves players like Kaylee Nystrom do the dirty work, which she does well. Nystrom, a junior, has proven to be a top defender and leads the team with four steals per game. She is also second on the team with 4.7 rebounds is tied with Terry for the team lead in assist with 16.

“The kids have really been playing at a high level,” Kraske said. “We have been practicing really well lately, so if there is one thing, we could see that transfer over from practice a little more, but we have been playing well. It’s been good stuff.”

Havre has played well on both ends of the floor this season, but the defense will face one of its biggest challenges tonight as the Indians, scoring 51.6 points a game boast the highest-scoring offense in the Central A. Yet, unlike HHS, Browning does it with a committee approach. Three girls average at least seven points and a total of nine players average at least four.

The top scorer for Browning is Ronnel Jordan (9.4 PPG), followed by Tamica Guardipee (8.8 PPG) and Rose Croff, who is averaging 6.3. Browning is also second in the conference in made 3-pointers behind Havre, however the Indians connect on 29 percent of their threes, compared to 32 percent for Havre.

After battling Browning, the Ponies will make the short trip to Rocky Boy Saturday to take on the 7-1 Morning Stars. Rocky Boy’s only loss came to Malta and with former Havre player Maya Reed, as well as the Jaylynn Mitchell leading the way, Rocky Boy should prove to be a difficult test.

“We are looking forward to a very competitive game,” Kraske said. “I think that’s what will make it exciting. We haven’t had a lot of close games lately, so it will be good to be in that situation. It should be a fun game, it’s always a great atmosphere and we are looking forward to it.”

Havre and Browning will get things underway tonight inside the HHS gymnasium at 7 p.m. HHS will also play Rocky Boy on the road Saturday, with the start time set for 5 p.m.

 

Reader Comments(0)