Boys basketball make state tournament after 13-year drought

NAMPA - The Bonners Ferry boys basketball team was relentless in pursuing hardware and did well this season, competing in the 2021 IDHSAA state championship for the first time in 13 years.

Although the Badgers generated plenty of scoring, they couldn't quite stay with Teton in their first game at the state 3A tournament on Thursday, March 4, at Columbia High School in Nampa.

Ridge Williams had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Badgers, who fell 84-73 to the Timberwolves in the opening round.

Blake Rice and Charles Henslee added 13 points apiece for Bonners Ferry, which trailed 38-33 at halftime before Teton outscored the Badgers 22-14 in the third period.

The Timberwolves (20-4), with a lineup featuring 6-foot or taller players, lost in the semifinals to eventual 3A champion Marsh Valley, then topped Snake River to claim the third-place trophy.

Bonners Ferry faced Kimberly in the consolation bracket on Friday, and couldn't overcome a slow start in a 56-36 loss to the Bulldogs.

Braeden Blackmore scored 11 points for the Badgers, who shot 11 for 44 in Friday's game at Columbia High.

During the final minute, commentators said, "This Bonners Ferry team will come back for years to come; I look forward to watching them in future tournaments."

Badgers coach Nathan Williams said if the boys continue to get stronger, play in summer league and dream big, they can make it to the state tournament for years to come.

“If the high school boys remain unselfish and stay focused on getting bigger, stronger and faster, then they can accomplish anything,” Williams said.

The Badgers finished the season 11-9 overall and 4-3 in the Intermountain league; Williams attributes a successful season to the team shooting well, strong ball movement and aggressiveness on the offense.

In discussing the team’s improvements, Williams said, “The team has greatly improved and is much more efficient on the offensive end.”

Blake Rice had much improvement that was noticeable as he took a larger role in the last part of the season and is strong with the ball.

“I am very happy with how the team is united and plays unselfishly," Williams said. "Braeden Blackmore and Ridge Williams scored the majority of the points for us. However if it wasn't the unselfish play of Ethan Hubbard, Blake Rice, Hayden Stockton and the rest of the team, many of those points wouldn't have occurred.”

Some highlights of the season are Travis Petersen's incredible game vs. Kellogg, which the Badgers won despite finishing overtime with only four players on the floor. Bo Bateman drew many charges this year during limited game time, coach Williams noted.

Important game moments at state include Ridge Williams for taking two charges vs. Teton and scoring well on the offensive end, along with Ethan Hubbard and Braeden Blackmore fighting for every defensive board against much bigger opponents throughout the state tournament.

“I'm so proud of my two seniors, Hayden Stockton and Josh Beazer, for playing hard for me and taking on a new style of basketball without a hiccup.” Williams said, “I am also proud of Blake Rice for playing his tail off and giving us so many quality minutes down the stretch.”

Williams is proud of his team and all their work on the court, including Charles Henslee and Dillon Mai’s hard work and persistence throughout the season.

“Mostly, I am so proud of the entire team for sticking it out and believing in our goals and never backing down to reach those goals,” Williams said.

Williams is also thankful for all the support from parents doing the impossible to the community for supporting the team through the ups and downs.

“This has been years in the making and has consisted of many miles in the car going to AAU tournaments, financial sacrifices, a lot of time, effort, and I'm sure some anxiety here and there before the important games,” Williams said,

Williams said he wanted to thank the community for its overwhelming support of the team. "Their support is what makes these special memories for these players, managers and coaches,” he said.

Braeden Blackmore and Ridge Williams were also honored to be selected for the 11 player all-Intermountain League team.

Bonners Ferry 16 17 14 26 — 73

Teton 22 16 22 24 — 84

BONNERS FERRY — Williams 21, Petersen 6, Rice 13, Henslee 13, Stockton 6, Hubbard 5, Mai 2, Beazer 3, B. Bateman 0, Blackmore 8. Totals 26-60 11-19 73.

TETON — Wartig 0, H. Heuseveldt 6, J. Heuseveldt 23, Nelson 2, Vontz 8, Hess 2, Kunz 7, Thompson 24, Johnson 0, Nelson 9, Al. Castro 3, Kinzie 0. Totals 32-66 14-21 84.

Bonners Ferry 6 12 9 9 — 36

Kimberly 15 12 16 13 — 56

BONNERS FERRY — Williams 0, Petersen 3, Rice 6, Henslee 3, Stockton 3, Hubbard 6, Petesch 0, Mai 2, Newell 0, Beazer 0, Bateman 2, Blackmore 11, Bateman 0. Totals 11-44 13-19 36.

KIMBERLY — G. Bair 15, Hollist 0, Larson 7, Christensen 0, Owens 0, Bronson 5, Cummins 14, Hammond 2, Doggett 2, Okelberry 6, J. Bair 5, Jak. Cummins 0.

INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE

COACH OF THE YEAR — Kevin Wylie, Priest River.

CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR — Trentyn Kreager, jr., Priest River; Logan Jerome, sr., Kellogg.

ALL-LEAGUE — Braeden Blackmore, so., Bonners Ferry; Ridge Williams, so., Bonners Ferry; Riply Luna, so., Kellogg; Kolby Luna, so., Kellogg; Blake Barrett, so., Priest River; Jordan Nortz, jr., Priest River; Zach Yetter, jr., Timberlake; Ethan Riley, so., Timberlake; Hunter Higgins, so., Timberlake.