PREP BASKETBALL: Badgers sweep Orofino Maniacs, girls down Kellogg
BONNERS FERRY — Badger boys basketball (6-2) found their groove as five Badgers hit double digits against the Orofino Maniacs (0-5) on Saturday, Dec. 16, going on to win by 51 points.
The Badgers greatly increased their defensive rebounding and ball movement, which has been the Badgers crux for success this season. Bonners Ferry head coach Nathan Williams has said the past games against 5A teams Coeur d’Alene and Lake City revealed the Badgers’ inconsistencies in rebounding and stagnation on offense.
However against the Maniacs, the Badgers nabbed up rebounds and executed on fast breaks. Senior Trey Batman snagged five defensive rebounds in the first quarter, as Bonners advanced to a twenty point lead.
The Badgers led the first half 54-20, with junior Asher Williams scoring his 1,000th point right before halftime.
Leading 81-28 entering the fourth quarter, the Badgers kept out of the key and looked to shoot deep with senior Chago Jimenez and freshman Sulay Abubakari each sinking a three-pointer apiece.
Wiliams led the Badgers with 26 points, followed by Thomas Bateman with 17 and Eli Blackmore with 14 points, Sulay Abubakari with 13 and Wyatt Smith with 12 points. The Badgers shot five for seven from the free throw line.
Coach Williams was impressed with Orofino’s fast breaking up sideline and ball movement.
“We had them offensively, and are taller and stronger,” he said. “ I thought we executed well and re-focus on rebounding.”
This game the Badgers emphasized on cardio.
“I wanted our guys to get tired and winded. I wanted to see them patting their head pats, signaling that they need a rest,” he said.
The Badgers did just that and rotated players, spreading the points and the ball, with five Badgers earning double digits.
Bonners Ferry has a bye week and will compete at the East Valley Holiday Classic Basketball tournament in Spokane Valley on Dec. 27-28.
Williams said he is looking forward to competing against Pullman (4-2) and undefeated West Valley (5-0), which are the Washington equivalent to playing Coeur d’Alene and Lake City.
West Valley defeated 3A IML opponent Timberlake 89-31 on Dec. 5, and 4A Sandpoint, 76-43.
Over Christmas break the Badgers will be focusing on conditioning, since the season has started they haven’t had time for conditioning since tryouts, Williams said.
“I’m looking to get their legs and lungs in shape to play three games in three days at state. We can’t get conditioning up in one day, but it will be something we will build on,” he said.
Williams added that he is proud Asher, his son, scored his 1,000th point, adding all the hard work Asher has been putting in is paying off.
The Badgers currently lead the two-team 3A Intermountain League with a 6-2 record over Timberlake’s 3-5 record.
BF: 29 25 27 14 — 95
OROFINO: 8 12 8 16 — 44
BF: Jimenez 3, Blackmore 14, Smith 12, Hinthorn 4, Williams 26, Th. Bateman 17, Tr. Bateman 6, Abubakari 13.
OROFINO: Gray 8, Schreder 7, Barlow 3, Naranjo 6, Runa 4, Cochan 10, Olive 6.
GIRLS
BONNERS FERRY— Asha Abubakari scored 18 points, leading the Badgers to victory over the 2A Orofino Maniacs by 36 points on Dec. 16.
The Badgers lead 27-8 at half time and played tough defense, but were slow on offense. Freshman point guard Taren Bateman rolled her ankle on Thursday, Dec. 14, against Kellogg and her presences and playmaking skills was missed on the court.
Bonners Ferry head coach Mike Cowley said the Badger offense was slow to start, but the players figured out the new dynamic on the court.
The “mighty sophomores” Makenna Baisden and Alexys Meirke, as Cowley calls them, came together and picked up the slack on offense as acting guards. This pushed the ball forward and fostered ball movement.
“They are fearless and defend anybody,” he said. “They get their eye on the ball and focus to get baskets.”
With only seven on the court for the Badgers, Cowley said they are all well conditioned athletes, especially considering they played three games in five days.
“Brooke Petesch can play for 32 minutes and still not be breathing hard,” he said, commending the junior guard.
The Badgers still have a long break until their next game at the West Valley Holiday Classic tournament on Dec. 26-27.
BF: 19 18 11 2 — 50
OROFINO: 6 2 4 2 — 14
BF: Petesch 2, Kimball 7, Baisden 7, Pluid 8, Mierke 6, Abubakari 18, Hinthorn 2.
OROFINO: McCarthy 4, Tondevold 1, Mutter 9.
BONNERS FERRY — The Badgers put the pepper to the 2A Kellogg Wildcats leading, 37-26 at halftime on Dec. 14.
Senior Asha Abubakari led the Badgers with 22 points. Freshman Taren Bateman scored 19 by halftime, but rolled her ankle and was unable to return to the court.
The Badgers were 13 for 18 at the free throw line.
BF: 18 19 21 20 — 78
K: 9 17 13 23 — 62
BF: Petesch 3, Kimball 12, Baisden 3, Pluid 5, Bateman 19, Mierke 6, Abubakari 22, Hinthorn 8.
K: Jerome 11, Groth 3, Schillereff 13, Coe 27, Stutzlie 3, Henrikson 5.
Rylie Kimball plays tough defense against Orofino on Dec. 16. Kimball scored seven points against the Maniacs.
Alexys Meirke scores a lay-in off a steal against Orofino on Dec. 16.