Havre High Blue Ponies Secure Fourth State Basketball Championship in Six Years

Dominant defensive performance leads to 24-point victory over Billings Central in Class A title game.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:51pm

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The Havre High Blue Ponies girls basketball team won their fourth state championship in six years, defeating Billings Central 52-28 in a defensive masterclass. Havre held Billings Central to single-digit scoring in three of the four quarters and forced 16 turnovers, limiting University of Montana commit Kamryn Reinker to just 8 points on 1-of-13 shooting. Amaya Jarvis led the Blue Ponies with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, while Katie Tilleman added 12 points, including the game-securing free throws in the semifinal win over Dillon.

Why it matters

The Blue Ponies' championship victory caps off a dominant six-year run, solidifying their status as the premier girls basketball program in Class A in Montana. Their ability to shut down high-powered offenses and force turnovers has been a hallmark of their success, and this latest title further cements their legacy as one of the state's basketball powerhouses.

The details

Havre High's girls basketball team secured their fourth state championship in six years with a 52-28 victory over Billings Central in the Class A title game. The Blue Ponies used a suffocating defensive effort, holding Billings Central to single-digit scoring in three of the four quarters and forcing 16 turnovers. Havre limited University of Montana commit Kamryn Reinker to just 8 points on 1-of-13 shooting. Amaya Jarvis led the way for the Blue Ponies, playing all 32 minutes and finishing with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals. Senior Ariana Gary added 9 points and 7 rebounds, while junior Katie Tilleman chipped in 12 points, including the game-securing free throws in the semifinal win over Dillon. The Blue Ponies' championship victory was their only win against Billings Central this season, after losing the first two matchups by a combined 15 points.

  • The Blue Ponies secured their fourth state championship in six years on Saturday, March 16, 2026.
  • Havre High's last state championship prior to this one was in 2023, the end of a three-peat.

The players

Amaya Jarvis

A standout player for the Havre High Blue Ponies, Jarvis played all 32 minutes in the state championship game, scoring 20 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and recording 4 steals.

Ariana Gary

A senior on the Havre High team, Gary finished the state championship game with 9 points and 7 rebounds.

Katie Tilleman

A junior on the Havre High squad, Tilleman was the second-leading scorer in the title game with 12 points, and also hit the game-securing free throws in the semifinal win over Dillon.

Kamryn Reinker

A University of Montana commit playing for Billings Central, Reinker was held to just 8 points on 1-of-13 shooting in the championship game.

Ela Harber

A crucial rebounder and defender for Havre High, Harber played limited minutes due to foul trouble but scored 4 of her 7 points in the fourth quarter before fouling out.

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The takeaway

Havre High's girls basketball team has established itself as a dominant force in Montana Class A basketball, winning four state championships in the last six years. Their ability to play suffocating defense and limit high-powered offenses has been the key to their sustained success, and this latest title solidifies their status as one of the state's premier basketball programs.