Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Austin Delarosa, HHS Boys Basketball

It has been nearly two weeks since the Havre High boys basketball team ended its regular season, which has made the wait for the Eastern A Divisional tournament rather long.

But when it comes to Blue Pony senior Austin Delarosa, he has been waiting for this moment for what seems like a lifetime, as he hopes to close out his high school basketball career with a bang. Not only in Billings this week, but hopefully in Great Falls, in two weeks time at the Class A state tournament at the Four Seasons Arena.

In order to get there, Delarosa and the Ponies will have to win two games this week in Billings, and their first contest will come against Billings Central, the state runner-up from last season that also knocked off Havre by more than 40 points back in December.

The Ponies may have lost that game by 41 points, but one of the bright spots was the nine 3-pointers HHS knocked down in the game and three of those came from Delarosa, who finished with nine points.

That was the start of what has been a solid season shooting the basketball for Delarosa, who has connected on 18 triples this season on his way to averaging 5.9 points per game. On top of that, Delarosa, who has started just about every game this season for Havre, also averages nearly three rebounds, per game as well as one assist and one steal.

Delarosa's play has certainly been key for a team that has more than doubled its win total from a season ago, yet his leadership on a team that has only a few seniors has been just as important.

"Austin has really stepped up as a leader," HHS head coach Walynn Burgess said. "He's a guy that you can count on and you know what you are going to get from him every night."

Delarosa is in the midst of basketball season right now, but he has been a multi-sport athlete throughout high school. He plays American Legion baseball for Havre and also competed on the cross country team this fall.

"Right off the bat my parents got me signed up for little kids baseball and basketball and stuff," Delarosa said. "And ever since then I have been doing all-star teams and traveling teams and I really have had a blast doing that stuff. It has been a big part of my life and it's something I will never forget."

Delarosa also has his future to think about and he said once he graduates from Havre High, he will either attend college or, he said, another alternative is learning to become a scuba-diving instructor.

For now, those plans will have to wait as Delarosa and his teammates will make the trip to Billings to take on Billings Central Thursday. If Havre can win two games before it suffers a second loss, it will head to state. If not, the season and the Delarosa, or "Delly" as he's called, will be over. However, before he and the Ponies head to divisionals, the Havre Daily News caught up with Delarosa for five questions.

HDN: How excited are you about playing at divisionals?

Delarosa: "It's really exciting. I am excited for us to play Billings Central right off the bat because we played them at the start of the year and we can show how much we have improved, and I just can't wait to play them."

HDN: How does playing at divisionals differ from the regular season?

Delarosa: "I think there is a lot of stress. It is nerve-racking, especially being a senior, but I am really excited, too."

HDN: What have you enjoyed the most about Havre basketball?

Delarosa: "Just the experience of it. Going through it and being able to play basketball at Havre High. You have seen some great players play here like Dane Warp, and it's fun to play somewhere that has had some great players like that."

HDN: So do you have a favorite sport?

Delarosa: "I am pretty even between them. I love them equally. Sometimes I love basketball more than baseball and sometimes baseball more than basketball. It just depends on my mood, but I love both sports."

HDN: Do you have a favorite moment from your time playing for the Blue Ponies?

Delarosa: "I don't really. I have just enjoyed all of it. One special moment for me was having coach Burgess come here because I have had him as a coach in the past and he has been a great friend and one of the best coaches I have ever had. Being able to play under him has been one of my favorite things."