Ponies will see the best in Helena

The Havre High tennis teams saw a jump in the level of competition at last weekend’s Glendive Invitational. Now, the Blue Ponies are about to see that level go up again, way up.

Havre is set to take part in the prestigious Helena Invitational Friday and Saturday. The tournament features every Class AA school, along with the Blue Ponies and Central A counterpart Livingston. The event is divided up into separate brackets for boys and girls singles 1-3 and boys and girls doubles 1-3. And, veteran HHS head coach George Ferguson says, his Ponies won’t see tougher opponents all season long than what they’ll see this weekend.

“It’s the best high school tennis tournament in Montana, bar none,” Ferguson said. “You just won’t get better competition than in Helena. It’s a huge challenge and it’s one every team that goes to Helena looks forward to all year.”

Havre has always done particularly well in Helena, too. Last year, Jeff Miller finished third in the No. 1 boys singles bracket, the highest finish by a Blue Pony in that bracket ever. This week, senior Dustin Haas will man the No. 1 singles spot in Helena, while Trey Hanson will play No. 2 and Bobby Personett will be No. 3. In doubles, Havre’s top tandem of Jake Sedahl and Nate Korb will play in the No. 1 bracket, with Trey Murphy and Kennedy McKay at No. 2 and Brady Ophus and Tommy Brown at No. 3.

“I think our boys will be just fine,” Ferguson said. “They’re playing well, and this week will be really good for them. There will be tough matches no doubt, but our boys are getting better and better and they’ll hold their own for sure.”

Havre’s girls lineup will have some changes this week due to State Music Festival, but junior Paige Nelson will lead the way in the No. 1 singles bracket, followed by McKenzie Tommerup at No. 2 and Cassidy Acor at No. 3. In doubles, Alex and Katie Donaldson will play No. 1 this week, while Marcee Murphy and Kadyn Acor and Devyn Solomon and Megan Lindbloom round out the Ponies’ lineup.

And like the boys team, Ferguson said his girls team will face tough challenges, but overall, that’s what Helena is all about.

“This tournament will make us better,” Ferguson said. “It always comes at the perfect time of year. We’re two weeks away from divisionals and to get this type of competition so close to the divisional tournament, it doesn’t get any better than that. No matter what the scores are in Helena, our kids will be better players at the end of it, and they’ll go to divisionals, and things won’t seem so tough after facing what they faced in Helena. So it’s going to be a great weekend for our kids and one we’re really excited about.”

The Helena Invite starts at 9 a.m. Friday at various locations throughout the Capital City. The tournament will conclude Saturday afternoon.