LIBERTY LAKE — The next iteration of the Bonners Ferry High School boys basketball team began to take shape at the CDA Summer Shootout last weekend. 

The Badgers, competing in the Varsity Small School Division, won their first two games against Lind-Ritzville High School and Christian Center School before falling in heartbreaking fashion to Prosser High School in the tournament semi-finals. Bonners Ferry head coach Greg Kissee said the tournament was a great experience for the team. 

"We played tough down there," Kissee said. "There were some tough teams, and I was just happy at how well we ran the floor and how tough we played as a unit." 

Bonners Ferry lost by one point in overtime to Prosser, who played a full-court press the entire game against the Badgers. Kissee said that style was another excellent experience for the team to handle and added that they handled the pressure well. 

"We had just had a 12:20 p.m. game, and then we played them at 1 p.m., so just a good experience for my guys," Kissee said. "Went into overtime with them, and I think we lost by one, so it was just a tough, tough game, but great experience for summer league." 

Kissee said these games are critical for the team, but especially for rising sophomores Brydin Weymer, Shane Rice and Dallin Baisden, who are set to join the starting lineup next season. He said they have already come a long way over the summer, increasing their physicality and ability to shoot the ball well. 

The physicality piece is significant as the boys make the jump to the varsity level, Kissee said. In addition to learning new plays and sets, Kissee said varsity is far more physical than what they've experienced. 

"That experience is huge for the kids stepping in that haven't really done that before at that level," Kissee said. "The physicalness is the thing that they need to learn, it's a little bit more of a physical game of varsity level, and it's nice to be able to go over that now in the summertime, rather than when you get into league games." 

While the risers are meeting the moment, the Badgers' stars are still shining. Kissee said the trio of rising seniors Peyton Hinthorn, Ty Schrock and Jameson Cartwright-Kissee continued to lead the team throughout the three games. 

Hinthorn leaned on his experience during the tournament, Kissee said, while Schrock and Cartwright-Kissee are high-quality scorers and defenders.  

"Those three stood out a lot for me this summer so far," Kissee said. "They work hard every day in practice; they're hard workers." 

Bonners Ferry is continuing to search for opportunities to play local teams over the summer, before their season begins in the fall.