Hardin girls slip past Havre in Eastern A

BILLINGS – The Hardin Bulldogs earned the Eastern A Divisional girls’ basketball title Saturday, scoring a 50-39 victory over the Havre Blue Ponies at the Rimrock Auto Mall Metra Arena.

The Bulldogs outscored Havre in every quarter except the third, where they fought to a 13-13 draw. Madisan Chavez led all scorers with 15 markers, while Sharmayne Hardy added 13 to Hardin’s cause.

Kaylee Nystrom paced the Blue Ponies’ attack with a dozen points. The Ponies and Bulldogs will head to the Butte Civic Center next weekend for the State A Tournament, along with Belgrade and Laurel.

The Panthers outdueled the Locomotives 48-40 behind a 21-point performance from Gabby Weber. Shania Neubauer added 13 for Belgrade, while Rylee Clark had 15 for Laurel.

Earlier, the Panthers got 18 from Kiah Hohenstein and 15 from Weber in a 71-63 victory over the Miles City Cowgirls. Jenna Swope had 17 points in a losing effort.

And Laurel ended Glendive’s season with a 42-25 win, as Aspen Cotter led the Locomotive gals with 12 points.

In the boys tournament, Belgrade and Laurel were battling for the division title when this edition of the Tribune went to press Saturday night, but reservations for the other two state tournament representatives from the East were made Saturday morning after the loser out games.

Billings Central took the consolation title with a 45-30 decision over Hardin Saturday night, as Peyton Hanser’s 16 points led all scorers. David Evans led the Bulldogs in defeat with 13.

Saturday morning, Central eliminated Fergus High of Lewistown in overtime 56-47. Shay Dantic had 19 and Chrishon Dixon added 13 for the Rams, offsetting a brilliant performance by Tanner Trafton, who delivered 24 points for the Golden Eagles.

In the other elimination game, the Hardin Bulldogs outran Browning 79-52. Famous Left Hand’s 19 points for the Bulldogs led all scorers, while Darnell Left Hand added 17. Justin Calf Boss Ribs led the Indians with 16.