Boys basketball on 12-game winning streak

BONNERS FERRY — What was a 11-point lead with six minutes left in the game became a 4-point win for the 3A Bonners Ferry boys basketball team (18-1) versus 4A Sandpoint (8-12) last Friday. Badgers won 64-60, fresh off a win against 2A Kellogg, 76-55.

The Badgers defeated the Bulldogs by a four-point margin in December. Boys basketball is on a 12-game winning streak. Their season loss against West Valley (3A) from Spokane, losing by one point.

It was an explosive first quarter with the Bulldogs taking a four point lead early on and Rusty Lee scoring eight of his 24 points in the first period.

Sophomore Asher Williams of Bonners Ferry scored a layin and was fouled at the buzzer making it 18-14 in favor of the Badgers.

The Badgers led by 18-14 into the second quarter. Williams and Braeden Blackmore attacked the hoop giving Bonners Ferry the lead 34-26 going into half.

The Badgers frequented the free-throw line in the third quarter and both teams scored 13 points a piece.

With under six minutes remaining in the contest, Asher Williams made a three pointer giving the Badgers a 50-41 lead. In the next possession, sophomore Eli Blackmore recovered a loose ball at half court for an easy layin, making it 52-41.

With 44 seconds left it was 62-58. Inbounding the ball, Junior Trey Bateman for Bonners Ferry tapped into his baseball skills and launched a rocket across half court. Braeden Blackmore outran his defender for an easy lay up, making it 64-58.

In the last possession of the game, Bulldog Rusty Lee regained his own rebound twice, but was unable to send the game into overtime, giving the Badgers the win.

Rusty Lee was the lead scorer for Sandpoint with 24 points.

Asher Williams led the Badgers with 23 points, followed by Braeden Blackmore with 20.

The Badgers were 15 for 23 at the free-throw line.

Senior Ridge Williams and head coach Nathan Williams were absent due to illness.

Bonners Ferry assistant coach Jed Bateman said the Sandpoint game was scheduled late in the season in order to prepare the Badgers for the state competition.

“Sandpoint is a quick, strong, physical team and that’s the kind of team at the state tournaments,” Bateman said.

“We did just enough tonight, they’ll be things we need to work on,” he said. “We had a defensive breakdown in the fourth quarter and we’re rebounding. We gave too many offensive boards to Sandpoint. It’s hard to win when giving up a lot of rebounds.”

“We got what we expected out of (Sandpoint), we were pushed. Which is what we need,” he said.

The night before, the Badgers played at Kellogg. Bateman said playing two nights back-to-back was also intentional looking forward to the state tournament. Ideally the Badgers will play three games at state in three days.

The Badges finish regular season play on Friday at home against the Timberlake Tigers (8-10), the sole other team in the 3A Intermountain League this season.

Bonners Ferry 18 16 13 17 — 64

Sandpoint 14 12 13 21 — 60

Bonners Ferry: E. Blackmore 4, Rice 0, Henslee 8, Petesch 1, A. Williams 23, Th. Bateman 3, Hammons 0, Tr. Bateman 5, B. Blackmore 20.

Sandpoint: Petit 3, R. Lee 24, Frank 5, VanDenBerg 6, Mudesias 3, Leisy 0, Eacret 0, Dickinson 1, Childs 5, Lane 11, Bopp 0, Jones 2, Hindberg 0, V. Lee 0.

KELLOGG — Badger boys basketball defeated the Kellogg Wildcats (2A) on Feb. 9, 76-55, with four Badgers hitting double digits.

The Badgers were 26 for 31 at the free-throw line and spent most of the fourth quarter at the line. Badgers Thomas Bateman and Asher Williams were 100 percent at the free-throw line with three and nine.

In the previous matchup on Jan. 24, the Badgers defeated the Wildcats by a 10-point margin.

For Kellogg, brothers Riply and Kolby Luna scored 19 and 20 points respectively. Kolby Luna was strong at the three-point line making four.

Asher Williams led the Badgers with 20 points, followed closely by Riley Petesch with 16 points.

Kellogg was down a few players and so were we,” Jed Bateman said. “But they have two of the best players in the north with the Luna brothers. It is always a tough matchup and tough place to play after the trip down.”

Bonners Ferry 17 16 14 24 — 76

Kellogg 13 9 12 16 — 55

Bonners Ferry: R. Williams 0, E. Blackmore 4, Rice 0, Henslee 3, Petesch 16, A. Williams 20, Th. Bateman 11, Hammons 0, Tr. Bateman 14, B. Blackmore 8.

Kellogg: Miller 4, R. Luna 19, K. Luna 20, McLean 4, Coburn 0, Robinson 0, Hendrix 8, Taylor 0.