Badgers score win against South Fremont in first State game
—Photo by JEROME POLLOS<br>Hagadone News Network<br>After winning their third straight District title a couple of weeks ago, the Badger boys were ready for their first opponent at the State playoffs last week. In their first game of the competition, the Badgers hit South Fremont hard to score the win at 67-56 last Thursday in Meridian, Idaho. Despite their initial strength in this first game, the Badgers fell shy of the win in their second game last Friday against Buhl with score of 45-56, and another loss to Snake River on Saturday of 43-53, but they still brought home the f…
By ROD HARWOOD
Hagadone News Network
MERIDIAN — Miguel Mendez came off the bench and scored two baskets in six seconds with a layup, then a steal and a runner off the glass to end the first half to give added confidence to a team that doesn't much need any more.
Bonners Ferry went on to cruise to a 67-56 victory over South Fremont from St. Anthony on Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the 3A state boys basketball tournament at Meridian High School.
The Badgers (19-4) took a 39-25 lead at the half when Mendez split the Cougar (18-8) defense for a layup, then made the steal on the ensuing in-bounds pass and scored on another layup as the horn sounded.
"That was huge," said Bonners Ferry coach Gordy Allured, whose team outscored South Fremont 25-11 in the second quarter. "Mendez is just a sophomore, but he came off the bench and hustled his butt off and scored four points in six seconds. It gave us a 14-point lead and gave the kids a lot of confidence.
"I've been down here three years and this is probably the best team I've ever brought down. I emphasize team; I've had better individuals, but these guys really play well together."
Josh Hawks, 5-foot-9 senior, scored 15 of his team-high 16 points in the second half to lead the Badgers. Jesus Mendez was 4 of 9 from the floor and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line for 13 points, and he also had nine rebounds.
A.J. Bennett added 12 points and Ryan Winebark hauled in eight rebounds and finished with five points for Bonners Ferry, which will play Buhl (19-4) tonight at 5:15 PST at Meridian High. Buhl beat Weiser, which defeated Priest River in a state play-in game.
"We have a strong bench and everybody that comes in can play," said Jesus Mendez, who had six of his nine rebounds on the defensive glass. "Miguel did good. I thought it gave us some momentum. We're pretty confidence, but it's always good to get this first one. It's just the first step, but we played well."
Bonners Ferry used a little 7-2 run in the middle of the second quarter to get a little separation from South Fremont, which featured 6-9 Stetzon Bair at the post.
Despite the size advantage on the blocks, the Cougars tried to force the issue from the perimeter where they were 0 of 10 from 3-point range in the first half and 3 of 22 on the night.
Jared Freeman led all scorers with 23 points and Todd Austin, who was 1 of 7 from beyond the arc, finished with 12 for South Fremont.
"I feel pretty good. The team played well and everybody picked up the slack," Hawks said. "I wasn't shooting too well, but we had other guys pick it up."
South Fremont 14 11 13 18 — 56
Bonners Ferry 14 25 13 15 — 67
SOUTH FREMONT — Adams 1 0-0 2, Forbush 0 0-0 0, Freeman 11 0-0 23, Austin 5 1-2 12, Dalling 2 0-1 5, Kunz 0 0-0 0, Stapleton 3 0-1 6, Illi 0 0-0 0, Bair 4 0-3 8. Totals 26-68 1-9 56.
BONNERS FERRY — Pluid 1 1-2 4, Bennett 4 3-4 12, Krejci 2 3-4 8, J. Mendez 4 5-6 13, M. Mendez 2 0-0 4, Galloway 2 0-0 4, Winebark 1 3-5 8, Hawks 4 7-9 16, Newhouse 1 0-0 2. Totals 21-58 22-30 67.