Badgers leave the rack in Bulldogs' hands

BONNERS FERRY — Without a doubt, the highlight of the 2014 Moose Madness competition between the Sandpoint High School Bulldogs and the Bonners Ferry Badgers was the triple overtime varsity girls game during the final night of Moose Madness Dec. 19.

Both teams started slow, and the Badgers were under 10 points to start the second half. The score was 21-9 and the Bulldogs lead by double digits with less than three minutes left in the third quarter before the Badgers went on an 8-2 run at the end of the third to tighten up the score.

Sandpoint opened the score back up to double digits in the fourth and maintained that lead until the final three minutes of the game but the Badgers outplayed the Bulldogs at the end of the fourth quarter.

Jasmine Hill knocked down a three pointer and a few buckets, then scored a free throw to tie up the game.

Sandpoint then took a foul with 9 seconds left and went to the line. The ball wouldn’t drop for the Bulldogs, though, and Bonners Ferry had a chance to take it down for the winning score. Kerstin Oxford missed her shot at the other end, but Savannah Woods caught the rebound and put it in the basket for two points and the win . . . but it was not to be, as the referee waived off the basket, saying it was past the buzzer.

The Badgers scored 16 points to the Bulldogs’ 5 in the last three minutes to finish regulation time at a tied score of 35.

The first overtime saw both teams score a pair of baskets, finishing the four minute overtime period with both teams tied at 39 and sending it into double overtime.

The Badgers went up on the Bulldogs in double overtime, but Sandpoint evened it up and double overtime ended tied at 46. Sandpoint was able to out score the Badgers in triple overtime and win the game 57-54.

Senior Jasmine Hill lead scoring for the Badgers with 20 points. Senior Savannah Woods had 15 points and played some of the best defense for the Badgers. Freshman Miranda Wenk had an impressive 10 points for the Badgers out of the post position. Other scoring: Skeen 1, Morgan 0, Oxford 2, Byers 2, Davis 4, Everhart 0.

Following the women’s game the Badger men were out matched by a taller and older Sandpoint team that has seven seniors and four more players on the bench than the Badgers.

Three point shooting was hot for the Bulldogs and they were able to run up the score on the Badgers, who couldn’t get the ball to fall. The Badgers scored 29 points to the Bulldogs’ 71. Scoring for the Badger men was Merrifield 2, O’Hara 6, Harrington 4, Stockton 4, Stone 0, Carle 1, Nelson 7, Blackmore 5.

The Bulldogs retained the moose antlers that are awarded to the winner of the Moose Madness competition, after taking them back from the Badgers last year. Non-basketball event winners are not released, but it felt like the cheer squads and dance teams for both school were fairly evenly matched. Sandpoint was able to raise over $10,600 for Toys for Tots, and the Badgers raised over $5,600 for Care ‘n Share. With more than double the students at Sandpoint than Bonners Ferry, there was more money raised per-capita by the Badgers.

It was obvious to most in the arena that once again the Badgers dominated the Stomp routine. Sandpoint was banned from using canned music after last year’s competition, and came out with an interesting routine that started with drumsticks and involved some fancy footwork and clapping but once again had more dancing than stomping.

To open the Stomp routine, the Badgers brought out a percussion section with buckets and barrels that looked a bit undersized for the competition. It wasn’t until the student section stood up, clapping and stomping their way to the court that everyone realized how many Badgers were in the routine!

The students stomped along the baseline and covered the entire perimeter before closing in on the percussion at center court. Badgers took turns doing back flips and handstands to add a little flair to the routine then formed pairs for some fancy handwork before lying down head to foot, forming the letters “BFHS” across the court.

Sportsmanship was outstanding on both sides of the court, and this friendly rivalry helped continue to cement the relationship between Bonners Ferry and their down-the-road neighbors.