BONNERS FERRY — The Lady Badgers continued their season-long rivalry with the Kellogg Wildcats, topping them at home in the regular season finale, then losing the opening game of 3A District 1 competition to Kellogg on Monday night at Timberlake High School.

A final rematch with the Wildcats is possible as district tournament play continues.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, it was a balanced team effort that led Bonners Ferry to a 56-48 win over Kellogg and avenged a 46-60 loss to the Wildcats earlier in the season.

The Badgers, down 38-37 going into the fourth quarter, outscored the Wildcats 19-10 in the final period to pull away in the final two minutes. Five different Badgers combined to shoot 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the deciding last quarter.

The Badgers used a box-and-one defense to hold KHS sophomore and 6-foot post Hailey Cheney to 14 points. Cheney scored 24 against the Badgers in their first meeting.

Baylee Blackmore led the Badgers with 13 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Holly Ansley had 16 points, making 10-of-13 free throw attempts, and Emma Pinkerton had a solid performance with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.

“We did a great job of getting to the free-throw line and making them when it mattered,” said coach Travis Hinthorn. “Holly and Emma did a great job on Cheney!”

Kellogg 6 13 19 10 — 48

Bonners Ferry 6 14 17 19 — 56

Kellogg: Wendt 4, Allred 7, Ferreira 4, Karst 2, Hill 5, Figueroa 4, Nearing 8, Cheney 14, Erickson 0.

Bonners Ferry: B. Blackmore 13, Sa. Hill 8, M. Blackmore 5, Petesch 0, Ansley 16, Si. Hill 0, Villelli 6, Pinkerton 8.

Badgers lose district opener

SPIRIT LAKE — The Lady Badgers played Kellogg for the second time in five days, and the Wildcats came out victorious this time as they beat the Badgers 57-49 in the first round of the district tournament at Timberlake High School.

The Badgers led 18-10 after the first quarter and held a 45-39 advantage heading into the fourth. Holly Ansley sprained her ankle midway through the third, slowing down the Badgers’ offensive attack.

Kellogg’s Jaron Figueroa took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 9 of her 14 points in the final period, and the Wildcats took their first lead in the middle of the fourth. In the fourth quarter, Kellogg outscored the Badgers 18-4 and held Bonners Ferry to four free throws and no field goals.

Baylee Blackmore led Bonners Ferry with 15 points, and Sierra Hill scored 14 for the Badgers, who faced Priest River in a loser-out game on Wednesday night (after press time). Also Wednesday, Kellogg and Timberlake met for the district championship, with the winner heading to the 3A state tournament.

The winner of the loser-out game meets the loser of the district championship game on Thursday, at either Timberlake or Kellogg. Whoever wins Thursday’s contest advances to a state play-in game at noon PST on Saturday at Fruitland High School.

Kellogg 10 16 13 18 — 57

Bonners Ferry 18 16 11 4 — 49

Kellogg: Wendt 8, Allred 8, Ferreira 2, Hill 2, Figueroa 14, Nearing 9, Cheney 13, Erickson 1.

Bonners Ferry: B. Blackmore 15, Sa. Hill 0, M. Blackmore 6, Petesch 0, Ansley 9, Si. Hill 14, Villelli 2, Pinkerton 3.