Bonners Ferry Makes Emotional Exit Bishop Kelly Overwhelms Badgers; Moscow Survives

Second only to a tear-jerking loss in a state tournament opener is a drawn-out defeat that ends the season.

Add the latter to the sad final chapter of the Bonners Ferry High girls basketball season.

The Badgers were no match for athletically gifted Bishop Kelly as the Knights ran away from Bonners Ferry 71-44 in loser-out action Friday in the State A-2 Tournament at Centennial High School.

Bonners Ferry ends the season with a 16-6 record.

In the other elimination game, Moscow (15-8) moved into the consolation title game for fourth place with a 53-40 win over Shelley (22-3).

Bishop Kelly 71, Bonners Ferry 44

The Badgers had a glimmer of hope despite falling behind 9-0 to start the game. A 9-2 spurt midway in the second period, capped by a 3-pointer by Sarah Walter, pulled Bonners Ferry within 19-18.

The Knights began to inflict the slow fatal wounds moments later, opening a 30-20 lead going into intermission.

“We just didn’t have anything left today,” said Bonners Ferry coach Jim Nash, who choked back tears.

Not after losing 45-44 to Buhl the night before in a game where the winning point was scored with no time remaining.

Bishop Kelly outscored Bonners Ferry 15-5 during the first 6 minutes of the third quarter to open a 20-point advantage. It got worse from there, especially as the Badgers failed to keep up with the Knights in transition.

“It’s going to be real lonely without Becky Bateman,” Nash said of his senior guard, who was playing in her fourth state tourney. “I’ve been involved with a lot of great teams, but I’m going to miss my seniors. It’s tough to say goodbye.”

Nash asked his team to put the opening loss behind them. Still, it would have taken a monumental effort to beat the Knights.

“We would have had to play an excellent game,” Nash said. “They just overran us.”

Juniors Amber Paulson and Walter led the Badgers with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Bishop Kelly received a balanced effort, led by the 14 points of Kelly Higginbotham. Three other players also scored in double figures.

Bonners Ferry 4 16 10 11 - 44 Bishop Kelly 11 19 19 22 - 71

BONNERS FERRY - Walter 16, Paulson 17, Bateman 0, Braniff 8, Carey 0, Decker 3, Morman 0, Robertson 0, Larson 0, Myers 0, Ashby 0, Carlson 0, Armstrong 0, Cartwright 0, Downing 0.

BISHOP - KELLY Kincheloe 6, Myklgard 3, Geddes 2, Ware 13, Janakin 2, McCarthy 11, Kirk 4, Dobson 0, Higginbotham 14, Sinclair 0, Fowers 4, Zabala 10.

Moscow 53, Shelley 40

The Bears, who had more turnovers than points in their opening-round loss on Thursday, made a complete turnaround against the Russets.

Moscow romped to a 17-5 lead by the end of the first quarter. A basket by Amy Sorbel gave the Bears a 27-13 lead at halftime.

The Bears’ dominance continued in the third quarter. A 3-pointer by Anna Allen put Moscow ahead 41-34 after three quarters.

Allen finished with a game-high 17 points. Sophomore teammate Amber Mathews added 13.

Shelley 5 8 11 16 - 40 Moscow 17 10 14 12 - 53

SHELLEY - Borsella 4, Foster 5, Clayton 0, Jensen 13, Summers 1, Wallace 2, Blake 15.

MOSCOW - Allen 17, T. Goetz 11, Thomas 3, Bonine 0, Workman 0, Mathews 13, Wilder 2, Sorbel 2, C. Goetz 3, Makus 0, Griggs 2.

Championship semifinals

Leah Moore (15 points) and Jana Watson (17) led Buhl over Preston 53-46 and into the title game against Middleton, which had a late 9-2 run en route to a 46-41 victory over American Falls.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: GIRLS A-2 BASKETBALL Championship semifinals Middleton 46, American Falls 41 Buhl 53, Preston 46

Consolation semifinals Moscow 53, Shelley 40 Bishop Kelly 71, Bonners Ferry 44