The Havre girls’ basketball team is in a phase of the season that they haven’t been in before; on a losing streak. The Lady Ponies dropped two straight against Miles City at home and Billings Central Catholic on the road over the weekend. Havre coach Dustin Kraske spun the efforts in a positive direction, first telling New Media Broadcasters that the battle back from 23 points down at halftime against Custer County was what his team is all about.

“The second half of the Miles City game, we played more to our capabilities and expectations as a team,” Kraske said. “I thought the kids came out at halftime (and) had a conversation about things that they felt like we needed to do better and then came out the second half with quite a bit more enthusiasm, quite a bit more energy (, and) of course, great effort.”

“Late in the game, we have a few things we have to tidy up on, (like) taking care of the basketball, etcetera,” Kraske continued.

The Lady Ponies went down to Billings thereafter and Kraske was content with how the squad performed, noting that different reserves played in a meaningful contest.

“I was actually pleased with how we played down in Billings,” Kraske said. “They have a really good team. Our kids played okay.”

“What I really liked was that we had some role players step in (and) get some good quality experience (and) minutes in a game that mattered,” Kraske said. “We’re certainly going to run with that. Now, lets learn from those experiences and get better as a program.”

Getting better as a program will start with games at home this week against Dawson County and Hardin.