BONNERS FERRY — After a slow start and trailing the Lakeside Knights, the Bonners Ferry Badgers (17-3) came back and locked down their defense winning 72-61 and continuing on to an 11 game winning streak. 

The Badgers were down 2-11 and struggling to score when Bonners Ferry head coach Nathan Williams challenged junior guard Asher Williams to get to the hoop. 

Asher responded by scoring 14 of his games 30 points in the first quarter, as the Badgers regained the lead 21-16. 

Lakeside caused Bonners to turn over the ball 10 times in the first half and nabbed four offensive rebounds to make it a two point game at half time. 

The Badgers made adjustments in the second half. 

“I thought Lakeside played a terrific game, they were scrappy on defense and hit some huge shots offensively,” Williams said. “They are a great team and I’m glad we got to play them again.” 

“I was happy to see Eli [Blackmore], Trey [Bateman] and Thomas [Bateman] hit some big threes in the second half,” Williams said. “I was pleased as always with how Brody Rice sees the court and gets the ball in the right spot at the right time.” 

“I’m proud of the boys and how they ended the game since we got six out of the last seven defensive stops,” he said. “It’s games like this that we need to prepare for the district and state games.” 

Bonners Ferry hosts 3A Intermountain league districts against Timberlake on Tuesday Feb. 20 and Thursday Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. In the event of a tie a third game is scheduled for Friday Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.  

BONNERS FERRY 21 13 17 21 — 72

LAKESIDE 16 16 13 16 — 61

BONNERS FERRY: Jimenez 0, Blackmore 12, Rice 6, Smith 3, Hinthorn 0, Williams 30, Th. Bateman 16, Tr. Bateman 5, Abubakari 0. 

LAKESIDE: Peone 0, SiJohn 6, Callahan 18, Hendrick 5, Nomee 0, Hall 5, Spotted Horse 0, Kee 3, Charley 24. 

Boys hoops wins league, Bateman leads with 28

SPIRIT LAKE — Junior Thomas Bateman scored 28 points as the visiting Bonners Ferry Badgers wrapped up the 3A Intermountain League title, beating the Timberlake Tigers 82-33 on Friday night.

Asher Williams added 19 points, Trey Bateman 12 for Bonners Ferry (17-3, 2-0 IML), which has won 11 straight games.

The Badgers shot 10 out of 18 at the free throw line. 

“We rattled them a little with our defense, but we didn’t get the rebounds, and we got beat in transition,” Timberlake coach Mike LaFountaine said. “They’re a good team; they’ve played together for a long time and it shows. Their chemistry is incredible.”

Junior Lucas Vallieres scored 10 points to lead Timberlake (5-13, 0-2). Timberlake’s leading scorer Tyler Engelson, suffered a sprained ankle in practice earlier last week.

Bonners Ferry plays host to Lakeside on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Badgers will host a best two-out-of-three district contest against Timberlake on Feb. 20 and 22 at 6 p.m. If needed a third game will be played on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. 

Bonners Ferry 20 24 27 11 — 82

Timberlake 10 15 5 3 — 33

BONNERS FERRY — Jimenez 2, Blackmore 5, Rice 3, Smith 1, Hinthorn 4, Williams 19, Th. Bateman 28, Tr. Bateman 12, Abubakari 8.

TIMBERLAKE — Dykeman 5, Yetter 5, Vallieres 10, DeVore 5, Meidinger 3, McDougall 0, Dorman 0, Higgins 5.

    Brody Rice shoots a free throw against Lakeside on Feb. 6.