Havre boys basketball splits East/West Showdown

The Havre boys basketball team is off to a strong start this season, and it looked to continue that at the East/West Showdown this past weekend. At home at Havre High Gymnasium, the Blue Ponies split the weekend as they defeated Whitefish, 64-46, but then lost, 60-55, to Missoula Loyola.

The Ponies started the weekend on Friday with their win over Whitefish. The Ponies got off to a solid start taking a 9-8 lead in the first quarter. The Ponies kept riding high in the second quarter as they took a 29-24 lead into halftime.

The Ponies then dominated the third quarter to stretch their lead to 51-33 before cruising to the finish line in the fourth. Shane Patacsil led the Ponies with 15 points while Kash Keller contributed with 12 points of his own.

However, the Ponies stumbled on Saturday with their loss to Missoula Loyola. The Rams and Ponies went back and forth to start the game as they were all tied up at 17-17 to end the first quarter. But by halftime, the Rams had pulled ahead for a 37-33 lead.

In the third quarter, the game remained competitive as the Rams only held a 46-42 lead. In the fourth, the Ponies did their best to keep pace with the Rams. But it was not enough as the Rams held on to win in the end. It was the Ponies' first loss of the season as they are now 4-1.

The HHS boys basketball team will next play Browning on the road this Thursday at 7:15 p.m. 

Havre 64, Whitefish 46

WHI - 8 16 9 13 - 46

HAV - 9 20 22 13 - 64

WHI - Carson Gulick 11, Carson Krack 8, Mason Kelch 7, Mason Genovese 5, Scotty Dalen 4, CJ Threw 2. 

HAV - Shane Patacsil 15, Kash Keller 12, Tre Gary 8, Matt Huse 6, Dax Ostwalt 5, Ryker O'Leary 4, Brayden Eraux 2, Griffin Terry 2, Carter Spangler 2. 

Missoula Loyola 60, Havre 55

ML - 17 20 9 14 - 60

HAV - 17 16 9 13 - 55