The Havre boys’ basketball team is coming off of its first loss of the season, dropping a game to defending Class ‘B’ champion Missoula Loyola. New Media Broadcasters talked with Blue Ponies coach WaLynn Burgess and he said the team put up its best effort against a superior opponent in the Rams.
“That is the closest game (Loyola) has had in almost two years. The next closest was (last year’s) state championship game against Malta,” Burgess said. “I felt like we did a good job of controlling a good team. I thought we played a fairly good game.”
“(Junior point guard) Tre Gary (led) the way in our scoring and rebounds and finding open shooters,” Burgess continued. “Shane (Patascil) knocked down some shots. We hit ten threes on the night.”
“If you break down film, we gave it our best run,” Burgess said. “(We) knew it was a good test (and) measuring stick for us to see where we’re at here in the early season.”
The Ponies’ next contest is a nearly three-hour road trip west to take on Browning. Coach Burgess said the team has to be prepared to face a different sporting term; a blitz.
“That’s where to be is the Tipi Dome on Thursday night,” Burgess said. “It’s always a fun place to play, but you have to make sure that you’re ready to go from the tip because if not, (Browning) can blindside you pretty quick.”
“Both teams are very comparable,” Burgess continued. “It’s going to come down to who makes extra plays; who is going to get those 50-50 balls into 80-20 or knock down a couple of extra shots.”
Havre will be at Browning on Thursday night with a scheduled 7:15pm tip from the Tipi Dome. Listen to that broadcast on KOJM-610AM.
