BASKETBALL STATE: Badgers advance to semis, Williams leads with 32 points

MERIDIAN—-Bonners Ferry boys basketball (20-3) beat Kimberly (16-9) 61-50 and advanced to the semi finals in the 3A Boys Basketball championship at Meridian High School. 

The game had seven lead changes, with Kimberly leading early on in the first quarter. Off a pass from senior Trey Bateman, junior guard Brody Rice snagged a three-point buzzer beater rounding out the first quarter and cementing a Bonners Ferry lead. 

The Badgers broke Bulldogs' press and advanced to an eight point lead off an assist from Eli Blackmore and a three-pointer by Thomas Bateman. 

Kimberly nipped at the Badgers lead with a six point run, making it 28-26 at half time. 

Third quarter was much of the same as the Badgers slowly pulled away from the Bulldogs. Bonners Ferry shot, better than the first half, but still shots were not dropping. Just when Bonners pulled away for a seven point lead, Kimberly picked up the pace off a steal and three-pointer by Jakob Cummins, narrowing the Badger lead to three. 

Asher Williams made a mid-range jumper and was fouled. He sank his free throw, notching his 20th point and putting the Badgers ahead 46-40. 

With 2:56 left in the game, the Badgers led by 12 and slowed down possession to run the clock and won 61-50. 

Asher Williams was named IdahoSports.com Player of the Game 32 points, shooting 13 of 20, one block, two rebounds and two assists for the Badgers (20-3), who shot 48% from the field for the game and 56.5% in the second half. Williams was one of the top performers for the Day 1 of the state tournament, tying with Jaxon Vowels of 1AD1 Potlatch for most points scored in a game.

Thomas Bateman added 13 points for Bonners Ferry.

Jakob Cummins had 22 points to lead Kimberly (16-9), which shot 42.6 percent for the game.

BF: 17 11 18 15—61

Kimberly: 12 14 14 10—50

Bonners Ferry will play No. 6 seeded Marsh Valley tonight at 7 p.m. for Game 8, with the winner advancing to the state championship game on Saturday, March 2, at the Idaho Center  at 3:50 p.m. 

Marsh Valley defeated No. 3 Filer on Thursday, 61-43. The game had six lead changes and four ties. 

Marsh Valley led by a high 18 points, shot 44.2% from the field versus Filer’s shot 42.6%.

Justis Whitworth had 18 points and eight rebounds for Marsh Valley (16-10) while Kaden Bullock added 16 points and nine rebounds.

Karsen LaMoyne had 11 points and six rebounds, Kaleb Gillett had 11 points and Preston Volle added 10 points for Filer (17-6). 

No. 1 Snake Valley faces off No. 5 Teton in the semifinals tonight at 5 p.m.