PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Timberlake takes out Bonners Ferry

BONNERS FERRY — Thomas Hauck led a balanced offense for the Timberlake Tigers in a 49-43 win over the Bonners Ferry Badgers in the 3A District 1 second-place game on Thursday, advancing the Tigers to a state 3A play-in game on Saturday.

Timberlake, which entered the tournament as the fourth seed, broke open a 25-23 halftime lead by outscoring second seed Bonners Ferry 12-6 in the third quarter to take a 37-29 lead into the fourth.

“Honestly, the key was our defense,” Timberlake coach Tony Hanna said. “It was a low scoring game and our defense is something I’ve been stressing. Our guys just went to work and if you give them a chance, they’ll think they’ve got a shot.”

Brayden Menti added 11 points and Daniel Smith had 10 points for Timberlake (8-15), which faces Fruitland (14-11)on Saturday in a play-in game at Highland High in Craigmont.

“Our points were pretty well distributed and we got a lot of good contribution from a lot of guys,” said Hanna, whose team closed the game by making 9 of 12 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. “We just finished with a lot of composure and made them guard us and we hit some free throws. For us, that’s about the best we’ve shot from the line all year.”

Kaleb Stockton scored 11 points for Bonners Ferry, which finishes 9-13.

Timberlake 13 12 12 12 — 49

Bonners Ferry 10 13 6 14 — 43

TIMBERLAKE — Smith 10, Hofer 0, George 2, Sommers 0, Ostler 7, Hauck 12, Menti 11, Hausladen 7.

BONNERS FERRY — Price 6, Sabin 3, Stockton 11, Pluid 0, Carle 2, Harrington 5, Blackmore 8, Bateman 8.