Badgers boys basketball finish second in league, preparing for districts
(left) Ethan Hubbard recovers the ball against Priest River on Feb. 1. Against Timberlake Feb. 14, Hubbard made some big shots and had his highest scoring game of the season.
(Photo by: CYNTHIA BONSANT)
BONNERS FERRY — The Badgers came out ready to compete with Timberlake and held on tight in the third quarter to claim a 83-60 victory.
As the first quarter wound down, Charles Henslee had three steals in a row. However, the Tigers passed the Badgers to note a 9-7 thanks to a screen and a drive to the hole by Raj Olivieri. In the final minute of the quarter, the score was 17-all, but Ridge Williams shot a three-pointer in the last 15 seconds to put the Badgers up 20-17.
With 0.3 seconds on the clock, Williams was fouled while shooting a three-pointer and made two out of three at the free throw line to put the Badgers ahead 22-19. The Badgers’ hot streak continued in the second quarter as the period opened with Ethan Hubbard draining a three-pointer.
The Badgers went on for a seven-point run against the Tigers before Timberlake and the Badgers fought each possession, trading points. The half ended with the Badgers leading 44-31.
In the third Timberlake finished within eight points of the Badgers, 60-52, but the Badgers started the fourth quarter like the first half. The Badgers played strong and got to the free throw line eight times. They were six of eight in the fourth. The Badgers finished the game with two three-pointers by Asher Williams and Trey Bateman, claiming a 83-60 victory over the Tigers.
Head coach Nathan Williams said it was a big game for Ridge Williams and Hubbard as their highest scoring game this season.
“Braeden [Blackmore] was our bread and butter with assists, breaking down the defense and rebounding,” Williams said. “I was proud of Ethan [Hubbard] when Timberlake was within eight points he got the rebound and shot a jumper. That’s a big shot. If it doesn’t go in they go down and hit a three then we’re calling a timeout.”
Ridge Williams led the team with 20 points, followed by Ethan Hubbard with 18 and Braeden Blackmore with 14. The Badgers scored eight three-pointers, three from Asher and Ridge Williams, and one Ethan Hubbard and Trey Bateman. Blackmore led the team in rebounds with 15 and five assists. Charles Henslee led the team in steals with five.
The game, which had been rescheduled due to illness, ended the regular season for the Badgers. The Badgers are 4-2 in league and are ranked as the No. 2 seed. They will play the No. 3 seed, Timberlake, again at home Saturday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. If the Badgers win they will play Kellogg at Kellogg on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
BONNERS FERRY 22 22 16 23 — 83
TIMBERLAKE 19 12 21 8 — 60
Bonners Ferry: R. Williams 20, Hubbard 18, Blackmore 14, A. Williams 12, Henslee 7, Petesch 5, Mai 4, Tr. Bateman 3.
Timberlake: Olivier 14, Tay. Menti 2, Vallieres 0, Yetter 15, Millsap 2, Borges 2, Bangs 2, Higgins 13, Tan. Menti 2, MacArthur 8.
Boys basketball beats Priest River Feb. 7
BONNERS FERRY — After getting into a rhythm in the second quarter, the Badgers slammed the Spartans in a 73-44 victory on Feb. 11.
In the first six minutes of the game the Badgers missed 12 shots on basket, but still managed a 10-8 lead over Priest River. The Badgers played tough man-on-man defense, causing havoc for the Spartans.
Ethan Hubbard made an early three-pointer, kick-starting the Badgers into high gear. Bonners Ferry then went on a nine-point run against the Spartans. Braeden Blackmore made 15 of his 18 points in the second quarter. The Badgers went on for another 10-point run in the last three minutes and entered half-time doubling Priest River’s score at 36-18.
Priest River got to the foul line several times in the third quarter and out scored the Badgers by two points, but it was not enough to make up their point deficit.
In the fourth, Priest River drained three three-pointers, but were again outscored by the Badgers by five points. Spartan Tyler Engleson made four three-pointers.
Braeden Blackmore was the high scorer of the game with 18 points. Asher Williams came in a close second with 16 and Riley Petesch had 10. Ridge Williams and Charles Henslee came close to double digits scoring nine points each.
Blackmore led the Badgers in rebounds with eight, Henslee followed closely with six. Thomas Bateman had a blocked shot, and Dylan Mai led the team with three steals. The badgers had 10 steals overall.
“Our depth and defensive pressure is what made the difference,” said head coach Nathan Williams. “I’m glad to have eight guys that can play, especially coming up to districts.”
“The first quarter we couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn, but our offensive rebounding gave us second, third and fourth attempts,” he said.
Priest River’s Trentyn Kreager did not play due to suffering a case of appendicitis.
“My heart goes out to Trentyn,” Williams said. “He was an MVP last year and is such a great player.”
BONNERS FERRY: 10 26 12 21 — 73
PRIEST RIVER: 8 10 13 14 — 44
Bonners Ferry: Blackmore 18, A. Williams 16, Petesch 10, C. Henslee 9, R. Williams 9, Batman 5, Hubbard 4, Mai 2.
Priest River: Engleson 12, Yount 12, Bennet 10, Butler 5, Matthews 5.