For most of the school year, Friday night lights has referred to the high school football team. But as the calendar turns, Boundary County locals are heading to the gym, as football makes way for basketball season. 

In front of an energized home crowd on Nov. 21, the Bonners Ferry girls basketball team faced Sandpoint in its second game in as many days. The Badgers lost 54-41, although for much of the game the score was much closer. Bonners Ferry girls basketball plays next away at East Valley on Dec. 2. 

Juniors Taren Bateman and Nolie Hiatt led the team with nine points, with both making four shots out of 11. Bateman finished with six steals, while Hiatt and freshman Bristol Hill each had four. 

Sandpoint led 10-5 after the first quarter. In the second, Bonners Ferry fought back, cutting the deficit to 21-18 at the half. The Badgers passing was crisp and accurate during the quarter, cutting through a Bulldogs team that employed a full-court press for much of the game. 

After halftime, Sandpoint dominated the third quarter, finishing with a nine point lead over Bonners Ferry. 

The game had some unusual moments, such as when coach Tomi Bateman yelled timeout at least five times to an official, who did not hear her, before another coach had to call the timeout.  

Freshman Jaycee Bateman and her sister Taren amped up the gym’s volume, as each sent a Bulldogs to the ground with an ankle breaker that led directly to a Bonners Ferry basket.  

Steals and turnovers were even for the Badgers, who totaled 17 of each. 

The loss takes Bonners Ferry to 0-2 to start the season.  

Sandpoint 10 11 14 19 — 54 

Bonners Ferry 5 13 8 15 — 41 

    Junior Nolie Hiatt defends against Sandpoint's number 33.