Badger boys basketball 0-2 against Moscow and Colville

BONNERS FERRY — Colville blasted past the Badgers in Tuesday’s boys basketball game, winning 76-67.

The Badgers took a 40-35 at halftime, but Colville came out swinging in the third to shift momentum to the 41-40. The Badgers fought back, in the third quarter, tying the game to 47 and then again at 51. However, Colville hit a 10-point run to finish the third quarter and the Badgers couldn’t reclaim their lead.

Head coach Nathan Williams said having four turnovers after halftime and the loss of a five-point lead were disappointing. He said Colville played tough and outworked, out-hustled and out-rebounded the Badgers on free throws. And the Crimson Hawks did all the little things to win, he said.

“We had a good lead at half, but just kind of crumbled down the stretch […] I was really happy with Thomas Bateman hitting a three as a freshman,” Williams said.

Thomas Bateman made three three-pointers and one block. Breaden Blackmore led the team in rebounds with 11, 19 points and made five of six free throws. Ethan Hubbard had 10 points, two rebounds and one block.

BONNERS FERRY (0-2) 22 18 13 14

COLVILLE 25 10 26 15

Boys varsity plays Clark Fork High School at home Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

The Badgers boys basketball team was bested by the Moscow Bears in its Nov. 27, season opener, losing 80-54.

The Bears started out aggressive, going up 8-2 in the first quarter with quick passes and running the floor. The Badgers picked up the tempo and caught on to Moscow’s game, nipping at their heels to within six points, with the score 18-12 at the end of the first.

The Bears had a height advantage under the basket with the Skinner twins and Ian Hillman at 6-foot 5-inches. The Badgers made up what they lacked in size with ball fakes and quick looks to the basket.

Travis Petersen took several charges, causing the Bears to rack up fouls early in the game. In the second quarter, the Badgers shot mostly from the free-throw line shooting 80%, making eight of their 10 shots.

While the Badgers trailed 50-28 at the half, they came back with fast breaks that shut down the Bears defense. The Badgers outscored the Bears in the fourth, but weren’t able to overcome the deficit made in the second and third quarters. The final score was 80-54.

Asher Williams was the top scorer for the Badgers with 20 points, and was eight for eight on free throws. Braeden Blackmore had 13 points and was 30 percent for three throws.

Moscow shot 13 for 21 behind the arc, or 61 percent. Bonners Ferry had 17 turnovers.

Head Coach Nathan Williams said he was encouraged by Travis Petersen and Blake Rice rotating in Badger defense and combining to take 5 charges. That was great to see so early in the season, Williams said.

“When a team shoots the lights out, we really need to get out on shooters and trust that our weak side defense will rotate,” he said.

Williams said he is looking forward to getting Ethan Hubbard and Ridge Williams back on the court again soon.

BONNERS FERRY (0-1)

Travis Petersen 4, Blake Rice 7, Charles Henslee 2, Riley Petesch 1, Dillon Mai 1, Braeden Blackmore 13, Trey Bateman 0, Asher Williams 20, Thomas Bateman 6. Totals 17 17-21 54.

MOSCOW (1-0)

Bryden Brown 10, Dylan Rehder 24, Cody Isakson 2, Jamari Simpson 14, Taylor Strong 9, Caleb Skinner 3, Zac Skinner 6, Ian Hillman 10, Cody Wilson 2, Brayson Reed 0. Totals 27 11-16 80.

Bonners Ferry 12 16 15 11 — 54

Moscow 18 32 23 7 — 80

3-point goals — Rehder 6, Brown 2, Strong 2, Hillman 2, Simpson, Blackmore 2.

JV — Moscow defeated Bonners Ferry.