Bulldogs outlast Badgers in triple overtime win

BONNERS FERRY — Four quarters and two overtimes weren’t enough to decide the Moose Madness tilt between the Bulldog and Badger girls, but an 11 point outburst in the third overtime was, as the Bulldogs prevailed 57-54 in a three overtime thriller on Friday night at Bonners Ferry High School.

Madi Schoening tallied 28 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, and made a key 3-point basket in the final overtime, helping lead the Bulldogs to a wild win during the annual spirit game festivities.

“We made some big shots at the end, and Madi had a big three,” said Bulldogs head coach Duane Ward, who needed heavy bench minutes in the marathon game. “One of the keys was that everybody made a key play in those overtimes.”

Elani Williams added seven points, 12 boards and three steals, Maggie Kirscher seven points and four steals and Riley Couch six points and three assists. Couch also hit a couple of big free throws in the third overtime to help put the game away.

The Bulldogs (6-4) used their plus length and extended zone defense to hold the Badgers to just seven first half points, and appeared to have the game won in regulation before Bonners Ferry erased a 12 points deficit to force the first overtime. Each team scored four points in the first overtime, and seven in the second, before the Bulldogs erupted for 11 in the third to earn the win.

“The kids had a couple of rough spots, had a lot of adversity, but showed the mental toughness to fight through it. It was one of those game settled by the kids,” described Ward. “The gym was packed, it was loud and we had overtime. The kids fought through it and they came through. It was a good experience for these kids, and it will help us down the road.”

Jasmine Hill poured in 20 points to lead the Badgers, who are coached by former Sandpoint assistant and JV coach Chris Chatburn, and at times waged a one-on-one scoring dual with Schoening. The Badgers scored more points in the fourth quarter comeback, 18, than they did in the first three quarters of a defensive slugfest.

Sandpoint faces West Valley at home tonight, with tip off at 4:30 p.m. at Les Rogers Court.

Sandpoint       6  8  9  12  4  7  11 — 57

Bonners Ferry 5  2  10  18 4  7  8 — 54

   BONNERS FERRY — Skeen 1, Morgan 0, Oxford 2, Byers 2, Woods 15, Jasmine Hill 20, Davis 4, Everhart 0, Wenk 10.

SANDPOINT — Williams 7, Schoening 28, Converse 0, Robertson 0, Ward 2, Martin 4, Couch 6, Kirscher 7, Bluemer 3.