The Havre High School basketball teams will host an inaugural tournament this weekend at the Blue Pony Corral. Four schools, Loyola (Missoula) and Whitefish from the west, will take on Havre and Custer County (Miles City) from the east in two days of competition. New Media Broadcasters asked activities director Mark Irvin how this idea came about.
“It was something that the Class ‘A’ divisions activities directors have talked about,” Irvin said. “For us being in Havre, we travel so far. It doesn’t matter what team you’re on.”
“We’re kind of the halfway point for some of these teams that have to go all the way across the state to play in these early season tournaments,” Irvin continued. “My thought was, ‘Why don’t we meet in the middle?’ It allows our kids to get a couple more games in at home, which is what we are shooting for.”
Irvin said what the tournament will do for the community of Havre to bring in this high-level competition for the first time.
“The community of Havre itself has supported us with the (Chamber of Commerce) and everybody wanting to help out with this and try to make more of these (tournaments) possible,” Irvin said. “The more you can do, the better.”
“It’s a boost for the economy (and) the community as well,” Irvin said. “It’s important to me because this community supports us and our teams and our schools so well. It’s a way for us to partner with them and give back in a way.”
For the full list of scheduling in this East-West Showdown, go to HiLineToday.com and click on the “Scoreboard!” tab
