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Pony boys excited for a return to the Corral

Havre home to face rival Lewistown tonight

After non-conference games against Great Falls and Malta last week, the Havre High boys basketball team is ready to get back on the court once more. But this time it will be against two conference rivals from the Northeast A, the Lewistown Golden Eagles and the Sidney Eagles.

The weekend of conference play kicks off tonight when the Blue Ponies take on Lewistown as part of a home-court double-header in the Havre High Gymnasium, with the girls starting at 5:30 p.m. and the boys to follow. Then Saturday the Ponies will head to Sidney for a battle with the Eagles.

For the Havre boys, these next two games will be a testament to how much they will be able to hold up in conference play. Currently, the Ponies are winless in conference after falling to Miles City and Glendive, so some conference wins will help boost their record. HHS head coach Walynn Burgess knows how tough the Golden Eagles will be, especially when Havre will look to defend the home-court.

"Lewistown is going to be a scrappy team that's not gonna give up anything easy," Burgess said. "They graduated quite a bit but coach (Scott) Sparks really knows how to coach them up. Grayden Sanders is a big 6-4 post who is one of the top field goal percentages in the state. Bryce Graham and Gage Clinton are two real tough wings that you are going to have to defend. We just have to keep playing good, sound team basketball."

Lewistown may have a 1-5 overall record but in recent years the Golden Eagles have been capable of breaking away and doing some damage on the hardwood. The Ponies have had some struggles against Lewistown, especially when it comes to the Golden Eagles' offensive attack over the years.

Sanders will be a big advantage for Lewistown with his height and excellent shooting. Graham and Clinton are quick and able to break out if left unchecked, which will be another great help.

But HHS carries some big talent, too. Junior Kellen Detrick has had a history of being a force on the court, while seniors Jake Huston and Mason Rismon are two guys who can both shoot the ball well and create opportunities for Havre. On top of that, junior Josh Warp has been a force when it comes to 3-pointers this year, and he's currently leading the Ponies in scoring. Junior Clint Owens has been key for the Ponies in the paint, too.

But the Golden Eagles will not be the only team to give the Blue Ponies some trouble; so will the Sidney Eagles. Sidney currently sits at a 1-4 record overall but has been a team that has been consistent each and every game. Burgess is aware that the Eagles will bring everything to the table.

"Sidney is going to be a tough one. They have been competing on a nightly basis and it's always tough when you take that long road trip, but we are excited about the challenge. We are excited to get back to conference games."

Both games will be a test for the Havre boys to catch up in the Northeast A. Not only is the team excited to get back onto the court, but Burgess feels his team has worked hard over the break.

"We feel that we had a good Christmas break and are excited to get back into the swing of things now. The boys have been really buying into doing the little things on the floor and doing it as a team. We're excited to be back in the Pony Corral. It feels like we haven't had a home game all year."

The Havre boys host Lewistown tonight at 7 in the HHS gymnasium, followed by a road game at Sidney Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

 

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