Bonners Ferry 53, Kellogg 40 

35 seconds into the first quarter against the Kellogg Wildcats at home on Jan. 12, junior Taren Bateman cut through three opponents, making a floater while being fouled to give Bonners Ferry a 5-0 lead. She calmly swished the ensuing free throw, leading to celebrations from her teammates and coaches. 

The reason? With the free throw, Bateman scored the point number 1,000 in her high school basketball career. 

The game paused for a brief period as head coach and her mother Tomi Bateman went onto the court holding a poster with the words “Taren Bateman 1000 points”.  

“Taren getting 1000 career points was a very special moment,” Tomi Bateman said. “She has put a lot of work into basketball and watching her big brother Thomas get 1000 points definitely gave her something to shoot for.”  

Taren Bateman scored 32 points in the game on 59% shooting, leading the Badgers to a 53-40 win over the Kellogg Wildcats. Bonners Ferry is now 7-1 in their last eight games and is on a five-game winning streak. Bateman added five steals and a team-high four blocks.   

Junior Nolie Hiatt scored 12 points on 55% shooting and continued to be an effective rebounder, with eight in the game. She also had four steals and is averaging over eight points and seven rebounds per game this season.   

Junior Eva Willis was a defensive force, contributing 13 rebounds and six steals without fouling an opponent.  

Tomi Bateman thought the team played an excellent game.   

“I am proud of the whole team’s effort in our win against Kellogg,” Bateman said. “I was extremely proud of Eva dominating on the boards. Nolie Hiatt also had a strong game.” 

Freshman Bristol Hill had six rebounds and made a three-pointer just six seconds into the game. Freshman Jaycee Bateman tied for a team-high in assists with three.   

From the outset, the matchup looked like it would be a blowout, as the Badgers went on a 16-0 run four minutes into the first quarter. However, the Wildcats responded with six straight and in the second quarter reduced the deficit to eight points, before a couple of clutch shots from junior Nolie Hiatt gave Bonners Ferry a 13-point lead at the half, 33-20. 

The third quarter was full of positives for the Badgers, who held Kellogg to just five points in the period, before a 14-8 final quarter in favor of the Wildcats made the score look closer than the game actually was. 

Tomi Bateman said that hard work has been a prime factor in her team’s play.  

“One of the biggest reasons we are getting better as the season progresses is how hard these ladies are working in practice,” Bateman said. “The intensity in our practice has improved from the beginning of the season. The girls are competing and pushing each other in practice and are allowing the coaches to push them harder as well. “   

The Badgers are now 9-5 on the season. 

Bonners Ferry 16 17 12 8 — 53 

Kellogg 6 14 5 15 — 40 

PTS: T. Bateman 32, Hiatt 12, Hill 3, Willis 3, Petersen 2, J. Bateman 1 

REB: Willis 13, Hiatt 8, Hill 6, T. Bateman 3, J. Bateman 2, Hubbard 1, Warden 1, Petersen 1 

AST: J. Bateman 3, T. Bateman 3, Hill 1, Hiatt 1 

STL: Willis 6, T. Bateman 5, Hiatt 4, Hill 2 

BLK: T. Bateman 4, Hiatt 3, Thomson 1, Willis 1 

    Freshman Clementine Warden keeps the ball away from a Kellogg defender.
  

    Freshman Bristol Hill shoots a three-pointer.