Browning girls to face Havre in state opener

The Browning girls basketball team will take to the court Thursday at Bozeman in the opening round of the class A state tournament.

Their opening salvo will be against their longtime rival, Havre, at 5 p.m. at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

The Lady Indians split their two encounters with the Lady Blue Ponies this season, each beating the other by slim margins at their opponent’s home court.

Now, after a bruising regular season and divisional competition, each will discover how much is left in the tank at the state level.

“We’re getting ready. We’re healing up pretty good,” Coach Darryl “Poorboy” Croff said. “Practice has been good; we’ve got two more. The main thing is they have to focus on basketball and listen to what got them where they are. They’ve been working this week, but we’re just waiting to see.”

Asked if all the Browning players will be healed and ready this Thursday, Croff said, “As of now, I’ll say yes.”

Coach Croff notes the Lady Indians warmed up last summer, playing five games at the same venue in Bozeman against class AA schools. Browning won four of the five games, and he hopes to see his team perform similarly this week.

Class A Girls State

March 9-11 at Bozeman

Thursday, March 9

Hardin vs. Beaverhead Co., 9 a.m.

Frenchtown vs. Laurel, 10:30 a.m.

Hamilton vs. Billings Central, 3:30 p.m.

Havre vs. Browning, 5 p.m.