Havre boys basketball split weekend against tough opponents

Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Havre High boys basketball team looked to build some momentum heading into the postseason. The weekend started strong with a 69-61 win over Fairfield at Havre High Gymnasium. But the Blue Ponies dropped a 90-87 overtime contest on the road against Browning on Saturday.

The weekend started with the Ponies hosting their senior night at HHS Gymnasium. Before the game against Fairfield, the Ponies honored Xavier Butler and Crawford Terry for their contributions to the program.

The Ponies and Eagles then got started with a competitive first quarter. The Eagles took a 12-10 lead late in the quarter, but a pair of 3-pointers from Shane Patacsil and Reid Kato gave the Ponies a 16-12 lead.

The Eagles came back in the second quarter to take a 27-25 lead. But the Ponies played strong over the rest of the quarter to take a 32-28 lead into halftime. The Ponies maintained their momentum in the third quarter as they stretched their lead to 49-42. The Eagles were unable to come back in the fourth as the Ponies went on to win to start their weekend.

The Ponies found themselves in a tougher contest Saturday against Browning on the road. Things looked good early on for the Ponies as they took a 22-15 lead in the first quarter. However, the Indians came back to take a 42-38 lead into halftime.

The Ponies came back in the third quarter to tie the game 52-52. The Indians responded with a run to take a 59-54 lead into the fourth quarter. The Ponies continued to battle in the fourth quarter and even took a 79-76 lead late into the closing seconds of regulation. With time running out on the clock, Browning got a three to go in to tie the game, 79-79, and force overtime.

The Ponies and Indians continued to battle in overtime. Heading into the final minute of the period, the game was tied 87-87. But the game came at the free-throw line where the Indians made three free throws in the final minute to win the game.

While the weekend ended with a close loss, several Ponies had strong performances to end the regular season. Butler recorded 25 points for the Ponies while Terry scored 21. Patacsil also made an impact with 15 points of his own.

The Ponies finished the regular season with a 12-6 record. The HHS boys basketball team will now take a break until beginning the postseason with the Eastern A Divisional in Billings starting on Feb. 21.

Havre 69, Fairfield 61

FAI - 12 16 14 19 - 61

HAV - 16 16 17 20 - 69

Browning 90, Havre 87, OT

HAV - 22 16 16 25 8 - 87

BRW - 15 27 17 20 11 - 90

HAV - Xavier Butler 25, Crawford Terry 21, Shane Patacsil 15, Matt Huse 8, Tre Gary 6, Jackson Headdress 5, Carter Spangler 4, Reid Kato 3.

BRW - Maurice Redhorn 32, Braids Vielle 19, Robert Reagan 18, Payton Grant 11, Delbert Blackman 6, Mahkia Ehlers 4.