Badger girls clinch IML
—Photo by MIKE WELAND<br>Camille Robertson weighs the option while Samantha Hiatt runs interference in Saturday night's league-clinching win over Priest River.
By Mike Weland
For the Herald
After undefeated Kellogg dropped its last two games, one to Bonners Ferry and one last week to Priest River, the Bonners Ferry Badger girls hosted the Spartans Saturday, claiming the lead position of the Intermountain League, winning 56-36.
Earlier in the week, the Badgers traveled to St. Maries and posted a 59-35 win over the Lumberjacks; on Friday night they visited Timberlake and posted another win, 40-22.
The Badgers started out Saturday night's game a bit rough offensively, missing shots and only putting up 13 points in the first quarter, but their defensive work wasn't lacking as they held the Spartans to only six points.
The Badgers got their offensive game going in the second quarter, out-scoring the Spartans 20-7, led by Kaitie Poston, who went on to lead all scorers with 24 points. Becky Lowther wasn't far behind, putting up 17 points. None of the girls on the Spartan squad broke double digits.
Saturday night's game was the last of the regular season for the Badger girls, and it was also Senior Night with honors going to seniors Becky Lowther, Leanna Kellogg and Kaitie Poston. As the starting lineup was announced, Buddy Badger capered in the background as fans lined the home end of the court. With their win Saturday night, they concluded their season with a record of 13-7 overall and 7-1 in league. Their only league loss of the season came Dec. 16, when they fell to Kellogg, 51-23.
Kellogg, who played their last game Tuesday against St. Maries, was 5-2 on the season for the number two spot in the IML, followed by Priest River, who played Timberlake Tuesday, going in with a 4-3 record.
Undefeated in their last seven games, the Badger girls appear to be peaking at just the right time, and it looks like they, coaches Travis Hinthorn, Ken Robertson and Brion Poston, and the fans of this outstanding group of young women, will have plenty of basketball yet to enjoy as we head into post season.
Priest River 6 7 13 10 — 36
Bonners Ferry 11 20 13 12 — 46
PRIEST RIVER — Stewart 8, Clark 3, Hopkins 7, Hatfield 3, Brown 5, Koch 1, Hirst 5, Schanilec 4, S. Willig 0.
BONNERS FERRY — Lowther 17, Kelly 2, Roberston 4, Hiatt 3, Kellogg 0, Winkleseth 2, Tetrault 4, Clausen 0, Poston 24.