BOZEMAN — It will be an Eastern division rematch for the Class A girls state championship.
Hardin advanced to the title game Friday with a 76-71 semifinal victory over Eastern division rival Laurel at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs are back in the title round for the first time since 2020, which was the last of four straight trips to the championship game. Hardin is seeking its first title since 1994.
Havre also advanced, beating rival Billings Central 70-49. The Blue Ponies are going for their fifth title in the past six seasons and their third in a row.
The championship will be a rematch of the Eastern A divisional title game, which Havre won two weeks ago.
Hardin 76, Laurel 71
In the third matchup of the season between Hardin and Laurel, Dierra Takes Enemy led all scorers with 24 points while teammate Katerena Morrison cashed in 20.
Despite a valiant effort by the Locomotives, which included 21 points from Emma Timm and 18 from Alyse Aby, they fell into the consolation bracket and will play at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Havre 70, Billings Central 49
In the second semifinal — and another matchup with two Eastern teams — the Havre Blue Ponies routed the Billings Central Rams 70-49.
It was the Yelena Miller show, as she had 25 points and seven rebounds to lead her team to the win. Ariana Gary Blue Ponies cashed in 17 and Sierra Parker had 12.
Central will play Saturday in the consolation bracket. Kamryn Reinker led her team with 15 points, and Coral Old Bull added 11.
