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(Editor's Note: Article featuring the
BFHS Varsity Girls' Team is Coming Soon)
Bonners Ferry High School boys’ basketball is
anxious to kick off the 2022-23 season on
Saturday and the future is looking bright.
Loaded with a roster full of experience
and talent the Badgers return all but one from a
team who won the Intermountain League District
Championship last year and went to state for the
second year in a row.
With a roster consisting of five seniors,
two juniors, and three sophomores, Coach
Williams and the Badgers are looking to build on
the success they have enjoyed each of the last
two seasons.
The Badgers return three IML All-League
selections in seniors Braeden Blackmore, Ridge
Williams, and sophomore Asher Williams.
The Badgers can no longer be called
small, as a few of the boys took their growing
serious over the off-season.
Junior Riley Petesch grew two inches
providing the Badgers with their first 6’5”
player in several years.
Sophomores Asher Williams and Thomas
Bateman each shot up three inches and are listed
at 6’4” and 6’3” respectively.
When asked if taller players equal better
players, Asher Williams responded with a
confident, “YES.”
Assistant Coach Jed Bateman, told Boundary
County Live, “The vibe in practice this year is
the best I have ever seen.
Everyone is positive and working
extremely hard.
They have bought in into the system and
we are looking forward to a great year."
Head Coach Nathan Williams added, “We have
several strengths. We have depth and are
extremely unselfish.
The boys understand the game. We have
great leadership, athleticism, strength, and of
course it never hurts to finally have some
height.”
Williams added, “The best part…. We are
ALL IN!”
For those paying attention, the Badgers enjoyed
a spectacular fall sports season with several
teams making state trips; boys’ soccer,
volleyball, cross country, capped by the
incredible run of the football team.
The boys’ basketball team looks to
continue the excitement of winning throughout
the winter.
The Badgers begin the season playing their first
four games at home.
The first game is tomorrow, Saturday
November 26th at 5:30 PM.
The game will be broadcast at
www.boundarycountylive.com
You can follow the Badgers basketball team on
social media at:
• Facebook:
Bonners Ferry Boys Basketball
• Instagram:
bfboysbasketball
• The boys schedule can be found at:
www.bfbadgers.com
Let’s meet the Badgers:
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Braeden Blackmore
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SR
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6’2”
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G
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Blackmore begins his fourth year as a
starter on the varsity squad.
A three-time IML All-League
selection, the Badgers will rely heavily
on his experience again this year.
Braeden will score from anywhere
on the court and his explosive leaping
ability makes him an incredible
rebounder.
Braeden led the Badgers averaging
15.5 pts, 8.4 reb, and 2.1 assists per
game in league play last season.
Braeden is a three-sport athlete
excelling on the track team.
Braeden was the IML District High
Jump Champion last year and plays soccer
for the Badgers.
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Ridge Williams
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SR
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6’1”
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G
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Williams is a returning two-time IML
All-League selection and a two-time
All-State Honorable Mention.
Ridge
shoots the lights out, his consistent
rhythm and quick release make him one of
the premier shooters in the state.
Ridge is a fearless competitor
and has a very physical approach to his
game.
Ridge averaged 10 pts, 5 reb, 4
assists per game in league play last
season.
Ridge is a three-sport athlete adding an
IML All-Conference and Team MVP soccer
award to his resume this fall.
Ridge also runs track for the
Badgers in the spring.
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Charles Henslee
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SR
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5’10”
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G
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Charles Henslee is fresh off one of the
best football seasons the Badgers have
ever had.
An instrumental player to the
Badgers as a wide receiver, defensive
back, and kick/punt returner on special
teams, Charles helped lead the Badgers
to an impressive 10-1 record.
He was named the IML Defensive
Player of the Year and was recognized as
the Idaho Sports North Idaho Defensive
Player of the Year.
Charles brings an unrelenting,
full speed, 100% of the time approach to
the Badgers basketball team.
His ability to never tire makes
him a coach’s dream.
The Badgers will rely heavily on
him to handle the ball and put constant
pressure on the opposing guards.
Charles is a three-sport athlete and won
a state championship at the Idaho 3A
State Track Meet in the 1,600 for the
Badgers.
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David Hammons
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SR
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6’3”
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F
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Hammons combines size and strength along
with soft hands and a soft shooting
touch which allows him to play both
inside and out.
David sees the court well and his
unselfish play allows him to setup his
teammates.
A three-sport athlete, David was a key
contributor on the 10-1 Badger football
team starting as an offensive lineman.
David has played first base and
pitcher for the Badger baseball team for
the past three seasons.
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Porter Schulte
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SR
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6’2”
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F
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After taking basketball off last year,
Schulte realized he missed it and
returned to the program this year.
Porter brings both size and a
physical approach to the team.
Porter’s competitive nature makes
life unpleasant for those opposing
players around him.
If there is a loose ball or
rebound to have, don’t bet against
Porter coming away with it.
Porter is a three-sport athlete playing
soccer and has played third base,
outfield, and pitcher for the Badgers
baseball team the past three seasons.
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Riley Petesch
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JR
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6’5”
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C/F
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Petesch is the Badgers tallest Badger.
Don’t let Riley’s quiet demeanor
fool you. On the court he is all
business.
Riley has an array of post moves
and nice mid-range jumper that makes him
an asset on the offensive end.
A relentless rebounder, Petesch
owns the glass on both ends of the
court.
Riley had a breakout performance
at the state tournament last year and
was awarded the All-Tournament 6th
Man Award.
Riley is a two-sport athlete also
participating in track where he
participates in the high and triple
jumps.
Riley’s length gives him the
perfect build for a sport the high
school doesn’t offer…volleyball.
You can find Riley playing in the
adult league, club teams, and at summer
camps.
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Trey Bateman
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JR
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6’2”
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G/F
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After a sophomore campaign marred with
injury and illness, Trey rebounded
nicely to give the Badgers much needed
depth for their District and State
post-season push.
Bateman looks to build on that
this year.
Trey possesses size, strength,
and a nice shooting touch and is a
threat from both inside and out.
He has a natural eye for the ball
and has great anticipation allowing him
to jump passing lanes.
Trey is a three-sport athlete. He was
named to the IML All-League team this
fall as a Defensive Lineman for the
Badgers football team.
Trey was also named the IML
All-League MVP and 2nd Team
All-State for baseball last season as a
sophomore.
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Asher Williams
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SO
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6’4
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G
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Williams may be Ridge’s younger brother,
but after growing three inches since
last season he no longer has to look up
at his big brother.
Entering
his sophomore season after earning IML
All-League and 2nd Team
All-State honors as a freshman, Asher
was second on the team in scoring.
Asher
posted an impressive 13 pts, 3 reb, 2
assists during league play.
Asher has ice running through his
veins and is not familiar with term
“pressure”.
With a deadly three-point shot,
incredible ball handling skills, and his
ability to drive and slash his way to
the rim makes Asher one of the premier
scorers around.
Asher is a two-sport athlete
participating in track in the spring.
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Thomas Bateman
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SO
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6’3
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G
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Bateman contributed big minutes and
opportune scoring last year for the
Badgers as a freshman.
His off-season workout program
has helped show significant growth in
his game.
Thomas has a beautiful shot and
is deadly from three-point range, he
also is not afraid to use the ever so
under-utilized mid-range pull-up in your
face jump shot. Thomas works hard on all
aspects of his game and is another
player that opposing teams can’t afford
to leave alone.
Thomas is a two-sport athlete. He plays
baseball for the Badgers in the spring.
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Eli Blackmore
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SO
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5’10”
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G
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Blackmore is entering his sophomore
season and is the younger brother of
Braeden.
Eli brings a quiet and humble
approach to the gym everyday combined
with a unique competitive nature.
Eli is an incredible defensive
player who is constantly pressuring
opposing ball handlers and taking
charges.
His ball handling skills and
quickness allow him control the ball
anywhere on the court.
Eli also can’t be left alone as
he has no problem draining a three or
driving past you for a bucket or pick up
an assist with an easy dish to a
teammate.
Eli is a three-sport athlete loaning his
skills to the soccer team in the fall
and the golf team in the spring.
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