Lady Badgers bite Bulldogs

BONNERS FERRY — The Lady Badgers beat the host Sandpoint Bulldogs 65-52 on Saturday, Dec. 9. It is the first time the Badgers have beat Sandpoint in girls’ basketball since 2011.

“Even though it was a high scoring game, I believe our defense was the difference,” said coach Travis Hinthorn.

The Badgers used a box and one defense against Grace Kirscher of Sandpoint, who recently signed with Eastern Washington University to play basketball. Bonners Ferry held Kirscher to 2 points in the first three quarters and held Sandpoint to 28 points as a team at the end of the third.

“Holly Ansley did a great job of holding Kirscher scoreless in the first half,” said Hinthorn.

The early defense was important, as the Bulldogs outscored the Badgers 24-17 in the fourth quarter.

“They went on a little run at the end of the game and we lost Kirscher,” Hinthorn said. “We took care of the ball the first three quarters but didn’t handle their press at the end very well. We will have to clean that up.”

Kirscher scored 14 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Offensively the Badgers were led by Kadi Bateman’s 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and only 1 turnover. Along with great defense, Holly Ansley also contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds.

“Kadi and Holly each hit a couple of big 3’s against Sandpoint’s half court pressure,” Hinthorn said.

Kassy Skeen had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 assists.

“Kassy did a great job of finding a hole in the middle of their half-court pressure. Then she did a good job of either driving or passing to a cutting post,” Hinthorn said.

Miranda Wenk had another double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds and is averaging 10 rebounds a game.

“Miranda’s rebounding is a huge part of our success at the start of this season,” Hinthorn added.

n The Panthers of Cusick, Wash., played their first game of the season on Thursday, Dec. 7, hosting the Lady Badgers. The Badgers jumped out to a 32–9 halftime lead and won 59-24.

Senior guards Kassy Skeen and Kadi Bateman combined for 31 points. The Badgers dominated the boards with Jerzie Pluid and Skeen each grabbing 10 rebounds. Miranda Wenk contributed 9 points to go along with 9 rebounds. The Badgers also used tight man to man pressure defense to record 26 steals as a team, led by Bateman with 6.

The Lady Badgers now have a 5-0 record and have a busy weekend coming up. They will be at St. Maries (3-3) Thursday, Dec 14; home against Wallace (2-3) Friday, Dec. 15; and at Post Falls to play Genesis Prep (2-1) at Post Falls Middle School on Saturday, Dec 16.

Bonners Ferry 13 19 16 17 — 65

Sandpoint 11 8 9 24 — 52

BONNERS FERRY — Skeen 14, Pluid 4, Wenk 12, Burt 0, Bateman 23, Ansley 13, Liermann 0, Ram 0, Blackmore 1.

SANDPOINT — Bailey 19, Edwards 2, Morgan 3, Driggs 4, Kaul 3, Larson 2, Laybourne 0, Kirscher 16, Petit 3.