Pandemonium. Joy. Chaos. Relief.  

These are just a few words that could be used to describe the feeling inside the Bonners Ferry High School gym when junior Ty Schrock grabbed a rebound and dribbled the ball to safety as time expired to win 85-83; the Badgers victorious over the Lakeside Knights in overtime on Jan. 13 at home.

On a night in which the 2024-25 basketball state championship banner was unveiled, this team showed the same fighting spirit to drag, scrape and claw their way to a victory over a team that was previously undefeated. 

With the win, they snapped a three-game losing streak to move to 5-5 on the season, beating a Kellogg who were previously undefeated at 8-0. 

Both teams had opportunities to emerge victorious, but it was the Badgers who delt the final blow, as following a pass from junior Jameson Cartwright-Kissee, Schrock hit a three-pointer with 50 seconds in OT to give the Badgers a two-point lead they would not relinquish. 

Senior Sulay Abubakari and junior Peyton Hinthorn put on an offensive masterclass, scoring 29 and 27 points, respectively. Schrock added 16.  

The game was frantic throughout, with both teams playing end to end with little regard for the shot clock. The Badgers went on a 12-2 run to start the game, before the Knights pulled the game back by the end of the first quarter, with Bonners Ferry up 16-15 before an even second quarter ended with the Badgers up 35-32. 

The beginning of the third quarter was dominated by Lakeside, who were leading 53-48 with the ball when their coach decided to call a timeout with 1:23 remaining in the quarter. Bonners Ferry went on a 10-2 run and led by three points going into the final period in regulation. 

With 1:52 left in the fourth quarter, the Badgers led by six points. 90 seconds of game time later, the lead was down to one point, 74-73. However, Bonners Ferry turned the ball over with nine seconds left and a Lakeside player was fouled going up for a free throw with four seconds left. He made his first shot, leaving the scores tied and one more free throw coming up. Coach Greg Kissee called a timeout. With the crowd screaming, the Lakeside opponent missed and Abubakari called timeout. 

The inbounds pass was turned over, giving Lakeside a chance to win, though a long three-point attempt was missed, sending the game to a four-minute overtime with the scores even at 74 apiece.  

Cartwright-Kissee started off extra time with a three, before the teams traded off points. With two minutes left, the Knights were leading by two points, before Schrock made a contested layup. Hinthorn did a 360 spin for a layup but was fouled. After making the first shot, he missed the second, but junior Riston Allred came up with a clutch offensive rebound to keep the ball.  

After Lakeside lost the ball with 55 seconds left, the stage was set for Schrock, who delivered in style. Allred then came up big again, stealing the ball on the ensuing Lakeside possession. 

Head coach Greg Kissee spoke about Allred's impact on the game.

"He's coming along these last few weeks," Kissee said. "He's getting more and more experience on the court and he's very athletic. I just thought that he played a really good game for us."

With 7.6 seconds left, the Knights had the ball down just two points following missed free throws. However, pressure from the Bonners Ferry defense was enough to only allow Lakeside a tough three pointer and when it clanked off the back of the rim, the Badgers were finally able to celebrate. 

Kissee spoke about the importance of the win.

"It was a big win for us," Kissee said. "We needed it more than them. 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."

Kissee appreciate the energy inside the gym throughout the game. 

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

"It was great support last night from the community and we really enjoyed playing at home. It was a great win."

Pts: Abubakari 29, Hinthorn 27, Schrock 16, Cartwright-Kissee 5, Allred 5, Buchanan 3 

    Junior Broden Buchanan shoots over a defender whose eyes were closed.
  

    Risten Allred contests a jump shot.