Badgers basketball defeat Timberlake, maintain winning streak
(Photo Courtesy of BFHS basketball) Badger boys basketball made it to the state tournament after a 13-year drought Front row from left to right: Charles Henslee, Ridge Williams, Blake Rice, Hayden Stockton, Travis Petersen, and Cleo Henslee Back row from left to right: Coach Nathan Williams, Dillon Mai, Josh Beazer, Braeden Blackmore, Ethan Hubbard, and Coach Ryan Mai
BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry boys varsity basketball team built on its winning streak and defeated a well-rounded Timberlake team on Saturday, Jan. 23, by a score of 74-65.
The home win over Timberlake extends the Badgers winning streak to five games and preserved an unbeaten, 2-0 record in the Intermountain League.
According to Head Coach Nathan Williams, the Badgers held a 19-15 lead over Timberlake after the first quarter. Braeden Blackmore’s 9 points headed up the scoring.
“I was very proud of how the boys kept their composure and played unselfish basketball,” Williams said, “It really was a team effort on both ends of the court, and I like how we are playing right now.”
The Badgers opened a double-digit lead a few times in the game, but Timberlake fought back and closed the gap.
“I thought Timberlake did a great job at utilizing their guard play and isolating us a few times,” Williams said.
At halftime, Badgers led 42-35, and the lead widened to 58-48 at the end of the third quarter.
According to Williams, he chose to mix up the defense and keep the game fresh, which helped maintain the Badgers' lead.
“I believe our defensive change in the third quarter seemed to help us, and we held them to just 13 points and gained a little momentum going into the fourth,” Williams said.
The game’s pace picked up, with Ridge Williams scoring 9 points and effectively reading the passing lanes, which led to steals, coach Williams said.
The coach believed the defense maintained its strength and moved the ball around to open a 13-point lead. Timberlake fought back hard and made multiple 3-point shots, but it wasn’t enough to overtake Bonners Ferry.
“I am proud we kept fighting to the end,” Williams said, “It’s games like these that build character and get us better."
Ridge Williams led the team with 28 points, 2 steals, and shot 10 for 13 from the floor. Blackmore added 21 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Travis Petersen also scored in double digits with 10 points and 3 assists.
Blake Rice led the team with 6 assists, Ethan Hubbard was strong on defense with 2 steals and 3 assists.
“We’ve got to play better defense,” Timberlake coach Mike Menti said. “You can’t give up 70 points and hope to win. We need to get back into the gym and back to work. My kids will respond from this.”
Zach Yetter scored 21 points for Timberlake (3-9, 0-2), which plays at Kellogg on Friday.
The Badgers (7-4 overall) host Priest River at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, for senior night and their last regularly-scheduled home game.
According to Williams, Priest River is also 2-0 in the IML and plays a similar style as the Badgers.
“This should be a great contest with both teams playing a similar style and having great guard play,” Williams said, “I know our players and fans will be excited for this game, and we look forward to an exciting matchup."
BCSD is now allowing four spectators per participant and up to 40 percent spectator capacity; face masks are still required unless social distancing is possible.
Timberlake 15 20 13 17 — 65
Bonners Ferry 19 23 16 16 — 74
TIMBERLAKE — Riley 9, Tay. Menti 6, Paslay 7, Yetter 21, Millsap 2, Higgins 19, Tan. Menti 0, Simpson 1.
BONNERS FERRY — Williams 28, Peterson 10, Rice 4, Hensley 0, Stockton 0, Hubbard 4, Mai 2, Beazer 4, Blackmore 22.