2015: the beginning of an era for the Williams family that would last a decade. Little did they know that it would be the start of an incredible journey of love, loss, growth, faith, heartache, friendships, family and change.
2025: the end of that era has come.
The Williams family moved here from the Coeur d’Alene area in 2015. It was a leap of faith that unbeknownst to them would be the rise of an era that would change the trajectory of their family. They wanted to raise their four children in a small town where they could be a part of the community. And that’s exactly what happened.
Nathan Williams, a Whitworth University graduate and administrator by trade, came to Bonners Ferry with big dreams. He dreamed of coaching his boys in a sport they loved: basketball. While they were young at the time, he saw something special in them and not just because they were his own children, but because he saw raw, unbridled talent.
After just a month of living in Boundary County, Nathan was selected to coach a team of young men (his own included), just eight to ten years of age, who had been hand selected for greatness.
Nathan went on to coach the same core group of young Badgers for the next several years in AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and into their junior high and high school years.
“I knew early on that this was a special group of young men with a mix of intensity, grit, toughness, teamwork, tenacity, dedication, relentlessness, trustworthiness and hustle.” Nathan said, “So, when the high school athletic director/vice principal job opened up at Bonners Ferry High School at the same time as the head boys’ basketball position, I had to apply.
“It wasn’t easy though, and the first year was definitely the hardest. Most of the team that year didn’t know my coaching style and emphasis on defense, complete effort every second of every possession, and attention to details. However, I told them that if they can slowly turn this big ship around and get us to state for the first time in 17 years that we would have accomplished something very special.”
With Coach Williams at the helm, they did, and that ship did turn around. The Badgers were back on the map. After 17 years of no appearance at the state tournament, the Badgers 2020/2021 season was the start of an age in the history of Bonners Ferry High School that won’t soon be forgotten.
“He pushed us to be our best,” former player Trey Bateman said. “From a very young age, Mr. Williams got to know us as more than just players. He grew relationships and found ways to help us succeed. Yes, he was tough, but that’s what us as a group needed and it clearly paid off. Like I said, from a young age, since I was in third grade, Coach Williams made it a priority to make sure we knew he loved us. Especially me. Every chance that man had he called me a son, which made me want to give him 100% at all times. I am so thankful to be one of the few kids that got to play for Coach Nathan Williams. The greatest coach in Bonners Ferry history.”
“Those players were a huge reason why we were so successful the next four years.” Nathan adds, “They bought in and turned the momentum around and got us on the right path. So proud of the seniors that year, Hayden Stockton and Josh Beazer for trusting me with the process.
“Every year I got to coach, each team made some sort of history. They were so hard-working, talented and unselfish. Truly a great bunch of young men. A few players really stand out in my head though; Ridge Williams was tough as nails and actually averaged 21 points his sophomore year and then chose to be a defensive stopper, knowing that we had younger guys that could score the ball
“Braeden Blackmore had incredible athleticism and great ball control, always limiting our turnovers. Charles Henslee and Eli Blackmore were so good on defense and very unselfish on offense. You can’t win without personalities like that on the team.
“Thomas Bateman was a great scorer, rebounder and tough defender. So talented, disciplined and coachable.
“Trey Bateman was Mr. Everything, I mean that kid could do it all.
“Brody Rice was the most unselfish player I’ve ever met and he has a heart for his teammates’ success that you only see once in a lifetime.
“Peyton Hinthorn and Sulay Abubakari still have years to play, but they were so good at fulfilling their roles and getting tougher each year on defense. We couldn’t have done it with them.
“Asher Williams could score on anyone at anytime from anywhere. His hard work over the years truly has paid off.
“Without these kids buying into our culture, none of these accomplishments would’ve happened.”
Nathan Williams will finish his coaching career with a record of 94-26, back-to-back state titles and memories that will last a lifetime.
A brief review of what the boys accomplished the past five years:
- 2020/2021 – (12-10) Made it to state for the first time in 17 years, beating Kellogg to go to the play-in game, then beating Weiser in the play-in game to go to state. “Such great memories,” Williams says.
- 2021/2022 – (14-10) Won a game at state for the first time in 18 years.
- 2022/2024 – (21-2) Ranked #1 all season; and played for the first time ever for a state championship in the Idaho Ford Center.
- 2023/2024 – (23-3) Won first ever State Championship in Bonners Ferry High School history.
- 2024/2025 – (24-1) Won second consecutive State Championship and only lost to 6A State Runner up (Lake City) at their home court, 70-65.
“It has been a fantastic run and something that I will always remember,” Nathan goes on, “I am looking forward to relocating and hoping to get closer to Montana Tech where my son, Asher is playing next year. One day I might pick up the whistle again, but at this time I feel like recharging and watching my son compete at the college level and maybe catch a game or two watching Thomas Bateman and Brody Rice dominate at Treasure Valley Community College. I hope that the community can understand that, and I also hope that they know how much I will miss their support, kind words, and love for this team. Go Badgers!”