BONNERS FERRY — Thomas Bateman and Braeden Blackmore each scored 19 points as Bonners Ferry Badgers beat the Timberlake Tigers 79-61 on Friday to win the Intermountain League for the first time since sharing the title with Kellogg in 2007.

Going into the half, the Badgers executed off looks down low to junior Trey Bateman. After a defensive rebound from a free throw, Thomas Bateman sank a three-pointer sending the Badgers to the locker room with a 43-25 lead.

With three minutes left in the game, with the Badgers up 78-52, the crowd called for senior David Hammons to come on to the court. When going up for an offensive rebound, Hammons was sent to the free throw line and shot one-for-two.

Timberlake made a six-point run, but the Badgers won 79-61.

Thomas Bateman made five three-pointers for Bonners Ferry. The Badgers 10-for-13 at the free throw line.

Bonners Ferry (19-1, 2-0 IML), ranked No. 1 in 3A will play host to Timberlake (8-12, 0-2) in a best-of-three series for the 3A District 1 title next week. Games 1 and 2 are Tuesday and Thursday, and Game 3, if necessary, is Friday. All are slated for 6:30 p.m.

Hunter Higgins scored 16 points, Jacob Yetter 15 for Timberlake.

“Thomas and Braeden play really well attacking and controlling the tempo,” Bonners Ferry head coach Nathan Williams said.

He added that it was a good team win, but that the Badgers defense needs more work. The Badgers finished with an 18 point lead, which they had first held at half time. The Tigers and Badgers scored 36 points a piece in the second half, with the Tigers outsourcing the Badgers by five points in the fourth.

“We’re 19-1 and league champs. I’m very proud of the boys and all their hard work,” he said. ‘I’m [they’re] getting the recognition.”

The Badgers aim to keep pushing for their main goal, returning from state with a trophy. Last year the Badgers were conference champions, winning it all at districts, but they didn’t win the league championship. The Badgers boys basketball team has visited the state the past two years. At state last year the Badgers won their first state game since the ‘06-07 season. They went 1-2, falling to Homedale by one point and narrowly missing placing fourth.

The last time Bonners Ferry boys basketball placed at state was 2002.

Timberlake 11 14 18 18 — 61

Bonners Ferry 22 21 23 13 — 79

TIMBERLAKE — Olivieri 7, Jonas 2, McLuskie 6, Yetter 15, Vallieres 10, Meidinger 0, H. Higgins 16, V. Higgins 3, MacArthur 2.

BONNERS FERRY — R. Williams 8, E. Blackmore 7, Rice 0, Henslee 0, Petesch 6, A. Williams 10, Th. Bateman 19, Hammons 1, Tr. Bateman 9, B. Blackmore 19.