Blue Ponies to face Columbia Falls for spot in state tournament

With a fourth-place finish at the Eastern A Divisional last weekend, the Havre High boys basketball team will have to compete against Columbia Falls in a play-in game this Saturday in Butte. The winner of the game will clinch a spot in the Class A State Tournament in Bozeman while the loser's season will come to an end. With the season on the line for both teams this weekend, HHS head coach Walynn Burgess expects a fight.

"We just know that it's going to be a battle no matter what. It's a play-in game, any team that you're playing against now at this time of the year is always going to be a good team," Burgess said. "We're looking at this as a good opportunity to prove ourselves and earn a spot into the state tournament which isn't just given to everybody."

Columbia Falls finished fifth in the Western A Divisional to find itself in the play-in game. The Wildcats have had a strong season with a 16-4 record this year. The Wildcats have many players that can give the Ponies trouble Saturday.

Jace Hill will be hard to stop as he leads the Wildcats averaging 13.8 points and 5.7 rebounds a game this season. Alhin Anderson can also make an impact as he averages 11.6 points a game on 43.8 percent shooting. The Ponies will also need to watch out for Cody Schweikert, who averages 11.4 points on 46.6 percent shooting.

"They're a really good team. They play well together," Burgess said about the Wildcats. "A lot more balanced scoring. They do it as a team which makes them tougher to guard when you have to try and guard everybody."

The Ponies enter the play-in game with a record of 14-8. After losing their opening game of the Eastern A Divisional, the Ponies won a pair of loser-out games to make it to the consolation game to extend their season.

If the Ponies want to win this game, they will need their best players to show up. Xavier Butler will look to do well as he averages 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game this season. Other Ponies who can make an impact this weekend include Tre Gary, who averages 10.0 points a game on 36.5 percent shooting, and Shane Patacsil, who averages 9.1 points on 33.8 percent shooting. But if the Ponies want to walk away with a win, Burgess believes their play on the other end of the court will be key.

"We got to lock in on the defensive end, and I think we have a pretty good plan with what we're going to do defensively," Burgess said. "We have to do the little things to give ourselves a chance to win so that's what we're really shooting for."

With a win-or-go-home game, pressure is to be expected for these young athletes. But Burgess believes the Ponies will not be fazed by the opportunity to win another game and punch their ticket to the Class A State Tournament.

"When you earn something in life, it makes it that much sweeter when you do accomplish it," Burgess said. "When we get down to Butte Saturday, all the chips are on the table so it's exciting. There's not too many teams that get to say they get to do this so we're excited about the opportunity."

The HHS boys basketball team will face Columbia Falls this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Butte Civic Center in Butte.