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On an unusual, but special senior night, Havre High girls win a thriller over Class C power Fort Benton
Havre High senior Quinn McDonald shoots during Thursday night's game against Fort Benton at the Havre Middle School. On senior night, in a game not originally scheduled, the Blue Ponies got all they could handle from the Longhorns in a 56-51 win.
Havre High senior Loy Waid handles the ball during Thursday night's game against Fort Benton at the Havre Middle School. On senior night, in a game not originally scheduled, the Blue Ponies got all they could handle from the Longhorns in a 56-51 win.
Abby Clark grabs a rebound during Thursday night's game in Havre.
Avery Carlson secures a loose ball during Thursday night's game in Havre.
Havre's Loy Waid handles the ball during Thursday night's game in Havre.
Sadie Filius races up the floor during Thursday night's game in Havre.
Cassie Pimperton coaches the Longhorns during Thursday night's game in Havre.
Havre head coach Dustin Kraske coaches during Thursday night's game in Havre.
Yelena Miller shoots during Thursday night's game in Havre.
It was an unusual senior night for the Havre High girls basketball team. First, their initial opponent, Browning had to drop out of the contest, putting the ceremony in danger. Then, undefeated Fort Benton agreed to fill in two days before the game would be played. But that came with the condition that the game could not be played at the HHS Gymnasium because Fort Benton would play at that gym seven days later for their District 9C Tournament. So, the Blue Ponies had to play the Longhorns at the Havre Middle School Gymnasium on Thursday night.
"It was weird, I haven't played here since middle school but after the initial shock, I feel like we all got into it really well," said Havre's Sadie Filius.
Fort Benton looked to keep their undefeated season alive as they gave Havre everything they could handle. It was competitive throughout with 10 lead changes and six ties. With just over a minute left in the game, Yelena Miller made a layup to give the Ponies a lead they would not relinquish as they went on to win 56-51.
"I was very pleased with how we finished the game. We didn't play our best basketball tonight. Sometimes you got to grind it out and we grinded it out," said HHS girls basketball coach Dustin Kraske.
The Ponies started the night hot with an early 8-6 lead halfway through the first quarter thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from senior Kylie Walker. However, some sloppy play allowed Fort Benton to take a 25-21 lead into halftime.
The Longhorns did not let up to open the third quarter. Ashlee Wang scored six straight points for the Longhorns as they built a 33-25 lead nearly halfway into the third quarter. The Ponies did not let the lead faze them though, as they went on a 9-0 run to retake the lead. Filius was the driving force behind this run as she made two buckets for the Ponies, including one off a steal. She was second on the Ponies with 19 points.
"As we were trailing, I honestly wasn't even looking at the scoreboard. I was just trying to make every possession count and try to do the best for my team," Filius said.
However, Fort Benton did not let HHS fully take back momentum as their own Aspen Giese hit a jumper to give them a 35-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The pressure was on in the fourth stanza as the teams traded buckets. Filius scored again to give the Ponies the lead, while Wang responded with a three for the Longhorns. Throughout the fourth, Havre would take a lead and Fort Benton would just take it right back.
The game was deadlocked at 50-50 before Miller, the game's leading scorer with 20 points, made a layup with just over a minute left. Havre then made all four free throws to close the game out and hand Fort Benton their first loss of the season. Kraske acknowledged how well the Longhorns played and believed the game's competitiveness will prove fruitful for the Ponies. Wang and Giese each scored 18 points for the Longhorns who moved all the way up from Class C on Thursday night, and who will be back in Havre to defend their 9C title next weekend.
"I thought Fort Benton battled, played hard, did a nice job," Kraske said. "Tonight it was another grind-it-out game and we haven't had very many of those. So, thanks to Fort Benton, we got another one."
The win improved the Ponies' record to 11-2 on the season. They still hold first place in the Northeast A with a 7-0 record and will finish conference play this Saturday at Lewistown. As Havre looks to finish their season, Kraske wants his girls to improve in the areas that let them fall behind early to Fort Benton.
"Our passing's got to get better. Our defensive enthusiasm has to be a little bit more consistent," Kraske said. "It's all just detail work."
However, Kraske and his players now know that even when they don't play their best, they can still rebound for the win.
"Even if we don't play our best the first half, our mentality can keep us in any game if we work hard enough," Filius said.
The Ponies will next play Lewistown on the road this Saturday night at 4 p.m.
Havre 56, Fort Benton 51
Fort Benton 12 13 10 16 - 51
Havre 10 11 13 22 -56
Fort Benton - Ashlee Wang 18, Aspen Giese 18, Abby Clark 6, Samantha Vielleux 2, Maci Molinario 2, Cloe Kalanick 3, Emerson Giese 2.
Havre - Kylie Walker 6, Kennedy Hampton 3, Loy Waid 5, Avery Carlson 3, Yelena Miller 20, Sadie Filius 19.
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