What a difference 10 days can make. On Feb. 7, the Bonners Ferry boys varsity team were 7-8 with little momentum after a four-point loss to Lakeside. By the night of Feb. 17, their record now stands at 11-8 after wins against Priest River and league opponent Timberlake. 

The win against Timberlake ensures that the Badgers will play at home, which will start on Monday, Feb. 23 against the Tigers.

The Badgers have now won four games in a row and five out of their last six. This is their best run of the season so far. 

Bonners Ferry 71, Timberlake 53 

While the margin of victory made the game look one-sided, it was nowhere near as comfortable as last time the teams played each other, which ended in a 22-point Badgers win.

However, 34 points from Sulay Abubakari which included five three-pointers, along with double digit contributions from Peyton Hinthorn and Ty Schrock, ensured the Badgers took the regular season series 2-0. 

The Badgers took an 3-2 lead to start the game that was quickly snuffed out by the Tigers, who kept scoring, ending the first quarter with a 13-2 run to leave Bonners Ferry shaken. The Badgers had only scored five points. 

The one-sided nature of the game continued, as the score was 25-11 Timberlake midway through the second quarter, with a small fightback from Bonners Ferry keeping the score 33-24 at the half, still in favor of the Tigers. Prior to the game, Timberlake were 6-12 and ranked 91 in Idaho. 

With four minutes left in the third quarter, Timberlake still held a commanding 40-32 lead. However, in just 90 seconds of game time the Badgers scored 10 points and suddenly had the advantage for the first time since the beginning of the game. 

In total, Bonners Ferry went on a 15-0 run that shocked the Tigers and was turned into a four-point Badger lead going in the final quarter, at 50-46.  

A quick five-point run made the game 55-46 and Timberlake could not respond. By the time the final buzzer sounded, it was the Badgers winning by 18 points and a score of 71-53 as the Tigers only managed seven points.

 In the second half, Abubakari scored 21 points. The Tigers as a team scored 20. 

Before district playoffs, the Badgers now play St. Maries at home Thursday, Feb. 19. 

PTS: Abubakari 34, Hinthorn 16, Schrock 13, Cartwright-Kissee 4, Allred 2, Thomson 2 

Bonners Ferry 5 19 22 25 — 71 

Timberlake 12 21 13 7 — 53 

Bonners Ferry 79, Priest River 44 

As the season nears its end, Bonners Ferry boys basketball appears to be at their best, as they defeated the Priest River Spartans by 35 points. 

Hinthorn had arguably the best game of his season, scoring 32 points. Eight of the points scored by the junior came from dunks to increase the decibel level in the Bonners Ferry gym. 

Abubakari scored 19 points, including 11 in the first quarter. His two three-pointers tied him with Schrock, who had 16 points.  

Rotation was key in this game with state looming. Alex Stolley, the football team’s starting quarterback, scored his first points of the season. Brydin Weymer, Landon Hart, Braden Buckhanan and Bo Scarborough also featured. 

The first quarter was significantly in favor of the Badgers, who outscored Priest River 24-8. The second quarter was only slightly better for the Spartans, but Bonners Ferry led 46-23 at the break. 

Priest River managed to outscore the Badgers by one point in the third, but with eight minutes left the score was 63-41, before their offense faltered. In the final quarter, the Spartans were outscored 16-3. 

Bonners Ferry 24 22 17 16 — 79 

Priest River 8 15 18 3 — 44 

PTS: Hinthorn 32, Abubakari 19, Schrock 16, Thomson 5, Stolley 2, Hart 2, Cartwright-Kissee 2 

    Risten Allred looks to pass while BoDee Scarborough (20) and Micah Thomson (far right) look to get open. Sulay Abubakari (23) attempts a screen.
  

    Landon Hart takes a jump shot.