Badgers take down Stillwater in season opener

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry High School boys basketball team won its season opener on Saturday, beating Stillwater Christian 67-55 at home in the BFHS gym.

Playing in front of a crowd of just 10 due to Boundary County’s COVID-19 restrictions, the Badgers (1-0) led from start to finish in a dominant performance to kick off the 2020-21 season.

Bonners Ferry started hot and never looked back, knocking down three 3-pointers as the Badgers jumped out to an early 9-0 lead.

The Badgers’ defensive intensity carried over into the second quarter, and Bonners Ferry went into halftime with 10 forced turnovers as it carried a commanding 30-15 lead into the break.

But it was the third quarter when Bonners Ferry finally broke the game open, nearly doubling its first-half output as it scored 22 points in the quarter on the back of three more 3-pointers and stretched its lead to 24 points heading into the fourth quarter.

It’s a good thing the Badgers opened up a big lead in the second half, too, as Stillwater Christian mounted a tough comeback in the fourth quarter. Bonners Ferry surrendered 27 points in the quarter, but it wasn’t enough to lose the lead.

Sophomore guard Braeden Blackmore led the Badgers with 20 points, followed by fellow sophomore guard Ridge Williams’ 14 points.

“Team defense and players like Bo Bateman and Ethan Hubbard taking charges down the stretch was critical for our success,” said Badgers head coach Nathan Williams.

The Bonners Ferry High School boys basketball team will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 4, for a road game against St. Maries.