Boys hoops on a five-game win streak

BF 82, Newport 36

BONNERS FERRY— For the third game in a row, junior Asher Williams scores over 30 points, notching 36 points against the 1A Newport Grizzlies (1-10) on Jan. 13. 

The Badgers (11-3) held the Grizzlies to 14 points in the second half, going on to win by 46 points and advancing to a five-game winning streak. 

Senior Trey Bateman added 16 points, while Thomas Bateman added 15. 

The Badgers have had a lengthy preseason due to only having one league opponent, Timberlake, in the 3A Intermountain League. 

This time last season, the Badgers had only lost one game which was against West Valley; this year they are 11-3, and are competing against 5A teams they haven’t previously faced. 

Bonners Ferry head coach Nathan Williams said playing teams in higher divisions has prepared the Badgers for league play. The league opener will be a different atmosphere, especially since it will be during the Backwoods Brawl, the annual spirit competition between both schools. 

Williams said that with a standing-room-only crowd expected, and an energy-filled gym, the game promises to be a different dynamic for the Badgers. 

“In that atmosphere, things get crazy,” he said. “Last year, Timberlake did their thing and we had to battle back after half time.” 

In preparation for the big game atmosphere and the state championship, the Badgers have been working on nonverbal calls. 

“We’re playing unselfishly and are limiting our opponents to one shot. If we can do that consistently until March, we’ll go far,” he said. 

BF: 27 16 29 10—82

Newport: 13 9 8 6–36

BF: Rice 2, Smith 3, Hinthorn 2, Williams 36, Th. Bateman 15, Tr. Bateman 16, Abubakari 8. 

Newport: Kinney 7, Driver 2, Keogh 3, Martin 2, Marsengill 6, Peone 6, Owen 6, Hamburg 2, Hughes 2. 

Up next for the Badgers is the Backwoods Brawl and league opener against Timberlake in Bonners Ferry on Friday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. 

In a media poll by IdahoSports.com the Badgers are ranked second in 3A state with two votes. Snake River (11-2) was ranked first in the media poll with nine votes. 

BF 96, Coeur De Christ 25

BONNERS FERRY— Asher Williams led the Badgers with 34 points, sinking 22 in the first half and earning five assists, as four other Badgers earned double digits against the Saints. 

Junior Thomas Bateman notched 14 points and five steals, while his cousin, Trey Bateman added 11 points, four steals, six assists, and five rebounds. Freshman Peyton Hinthorn sank 12 points, nabbed four steals, and grabbed two rebounds. Fellow freshman Sulay Abubakari also hit double digits with 11 points, earning two steals and four rebounds. 

Also of note, senior Chago Jimenez came off the bench and swiftly racked up two steals in the final minutes of the second quarter. He earned his second steal when he intercepted a pass by the Saints in the paint off a fast break before sustaining a wrist injury a moment later. 

BF: 27 23 27 19—96

CDC: 10 7 6 2—25

BF: Rice 9, Smith 5, Hinthorn 12, Williams 34, Th. Bateman 14, Tr. Bateman 11, Abubakari 11. 

Sandpoint games, Jan. 10

BOYS

Bonners Ferry 84, Sandpoint 66

SANDPOINT — Bonners Ferry's Asher Williams and Trey Bateman combined for 58 points in a non-league win over 4A Sandpoint at Les Rogers Court on Wednesday.

The Badgers started the game on a 28-10 run, but Sandpoint brought the game back within three, 39-36, with 1:30 left to go in the second quarter. Despite a solid second-half effort, the Badgers ended up tying their largest lead of the game, 18, eventually winning by that same margin once the final buzzer sounded.

“Bonners is an awfully good team that scores in different ways — you can tell these kids have been playing basketball together for quite some time,” head coach Brian Childs said. “We played pretty well in the first half, and closed that gap in that second quarter. We made adjustments, weathered the storm, and were still within 12 at the end of the third, but they just wore us out in the fourth quarter.”

Parker Childs paced the Bulldogs with a team-high 21 points and four assists. Jones scored 19 and hauled in nine rebounds. Derrick Chamberlain also reached double figures on the night with 12 of his own.

For the Badgers, 2023 3A Player of the Year Asher Williams scored a game-high 34 points. Trey Bateman flirted with a triple-double as he posted 24 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, and four steals.

“I’m proud of our effort tonight,” Childs said. “Parker (Childs) got off to a good start, we just have to figure out a recurring issue with his foot before some more league games. I thought Emerik Jones scored the ball well for us tonight; Derrick Chamberlain also played well. Knox Williams had one of his better games tonight against some tough pressure. Of course with the loss we’re disappointed, but it’s something to build on for sure.”

Sandpoint (6-7, 1-0) travels to Priest River Friday. Bonners Ferry (9-3, 0-0) hosts Coeur du Christ Academy on Friday.

Bonners Ferry 28 18 21 17 – 84

Sandpoint 17 21 17 11 – 66

PTS: SPT – Chids 21, Jones 19, Chamberlain 12, Leisy 6, Williams 6, Leavitt 2, Gion 0, Roos 0. BF – Williams 34, Tr. Bateman 24, Th. Bateman 8, Rice 5, Abubakari 5, Blackmore 4, Smith 4.

REB: SPT – Jones 9, Chamberlain 5, Leavitt 2, Roos 2, Gion 1, Childs 1. BF – Th. Bateman 9, Tr. Bateman 6, Rice 6, Williams 5, Blackmore 2, Smith 2, Abubakari 1.

AST: SPT – Childs 4, Leavitt 3, Williams 2, Roos 1, Gion 1, Jones 1. BF – Tr. Bateman 7, Rice 5, Blackmore 4, Smith 2, Th. Bateman 2, Williams 1.

STL: SPT – Leavitt 2, Jones 1, Childs 1, Gion 1, Leisy 1, Williams 1. BF – Tr. Bateman 4, Th. Bateman 3, Williams 1, Blackmore 1.

BLK: SPT – None. BF – Williams 1.