The score was 74-73, with Bonners Ferry holding the lead over the Lakeside Knights on Jan. 13 at home. There were 4.3 seconds remaining when a Lakeside player was fouled, going to the free-throw line for two shots. If both went in, the Knights would take the lead and likely the game. 

At that point in the season, Bonners Ferry was 4-6 and on a three-game losing streak, with each loss coming by at least 18 points. 

The Knights’ free-throw shooter, who had 25 points, stepped to the line. Two more would almost certainly seal the win. 

The first shot was swished, tying the game. Before the second was taken, the Badgers called a timeout. One minute later, the shooter prepared for his second free throw. Before he could shoot, a whistle stopped the play because the student section was too loud for the referee. 

Bonners Ferry Head Coach Greg Kissee spoke the day after the game about the impact of the home crowd. 

"The crowd was great last night," Kissee said. "My kids were loving it, I think they were feeding off it." 

Perhaps the Badger faithful disrupted the free throw shooter’s rhythm. The second shot rolled in and out, missing by inches. Sulay Abubakari grabbed the rebound and the game went to overtime tied 74-74. 

Overtime was a back-and-forth battle. The Knights held a one-point lead before Ty Schrock drained a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, lifting the Badgers to an 85-83 victory. 

At the time, Kissee said it was a big win for the team. 

"We needed it more than them,” Kissee said.” They were undefeated coming in and they played well together. For my team to stick with it and just keep grinding, we learned a lot last night about ourselves." 

Instead of falling to 4-7, Bonners Ferry improved to 5-6. Since that game, the Badgers have gone 8-2 and are currently on a five-game winning streak.

The team statistics show the difference. In the first half of the season, Bonners Ferry scored 70 points only once. In the second half, it has reached that mark six times, not including a 69-point performance. 

Defensively, the Badgers allowed 65 points or more in six of their first 10 games. In the last 10, they have done so only twice. 

Playing at home has also provided a boost. Bonners Ferry is 6-1 at home compared with 5-6 on the road, though it has won its last three away games — a positive sign with no home games remaining. 

The season may be closer to the end than the beginning, but the Badgers appear to be peaking at the right time.