By Piper Banning
Badger Sports Reporter
The Badgers walked the knifes edge in Nampa this memorable Saturday, March 2, but the tougher the challenge the deeper they dug down, and for the first time in Bonners Ferry Badger history, the boys varsity basketball team is bringing home a state 3A boys basketball title, defeating Teton in a nail biter, 54-47.
The fifth seed Teton Timberwolves, Driggs, put up far more fight than anyone expected, not only in the champion ship game, but throughout the tournament, knocking off fourth-ranked McCall/Donnely in the opening game of this year’s Real Dairy 3A Tournament at Meridian High School and top seed Snake River in game two.
The Badgers, who finish the season 23-3 ending on a 16 game winning streak, their last loss to Spokane’s West Valley December 27 by a single point, 62-61, downed Kimberly with relative ease Thursday, 61-50, and Marsh Valley with little problem 64-57 on Friday. But on Saturday at the Idaho Ford Center in Nampa, they seemed to lack their usual spark, and they met opponents who were more tenacious than expected.
They played lazy, and it almost cost them.
Both defenses were stingy in the opening quarter, with only 14 points scored, and the Badger’s star player, Asher Williams ran into foul trouble early. With three fouls before the end of the first quarter, the Badgers up by two, 8-6, he was sent to the bench for part of the second to serve penance
Wyatt Smith stepped it up and launched five points in the final minutes to take the Badgers to halftime six points ahead, 24-18, The Badgers were still holding the lead going into the fourth, 34-31, But Asher was again in foul trouble having racked up four in it he third quarter.
The Timberwolves knuckled down and fought to a three point lead about midway through the final quarter. The Badgers seemed at last to gather their wits about them and play with heart, That extra kick down the back stretch enabled these 2024 Badgers to make school history by winning for the Bonner Ferry Badgers their very first state 3A boys basketball championship trophy.
“These boys have been playing together since third and fourth grade with the goal of earning a state champion ship,” said Kelsey Rice. “Today they did just that, it was a great day to be a Badger!”
In their 1ast game of the season, their 17th without a loss, Asher William put up 14 points and Brodie 11.