UPDATE: According to Bridgeport High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt DeMotto, today's doubleheader that has the Indians girls playing at 1 p.m. against Nicholas County and the boys playing after at approximately 3 p.m. against the Grizzlies is still being played today at the school gymnasium.

 

After a lengthy break from action of 12 days, the Bridgeport’s girls’ basketball team had mixed results this week. The Indians went 1-1 with a home win against Grafton before falling Thursday to perennial Class AA power North Marion in Rachel.

 

The Tribe toppled Grafton by a 77-25 score. The Huskies used a strong second half to get the win against BHS by a 56-43 count.

 

Bridgeport moves to 7-3 on the year. The Tribe is scheduled to play Saturday at home against Nicholas County – weather permitting – at 1p.m.

 

Against the Bearcats, the game was never close. The Indians actually led 21-7 after one period of play and then held a 40-12 advantage at the intermission. Bridgeport was able to add to its advantage in each of the final two periods.

 

“We played okay, but I was disappointed with the first quarter. Second quarter, once I put the starters back, we finally played with more energy,” said BHS Coach Dennis Hutson. “In the first, there was a lack of energy and maybe it was due to the layoff, but I don’t want excuses. I want results and regardless of a layoff or anything else you have to hustle and show effort. Everyone is too quick to find an excuse. Still, I was pleased with how we ended things.”

 

Kaitlin Smith led the way with 16 points, while Bria Jacobs added 14. Rory Marple and Emily Riggs both just missed double digits with nine and eight points, respectively.

 

However, the big statistic in the game was turnovers. The Bearcats committed an astounding 41 in the contest.

 

“In the opening game, we actually forced 46 turnovers. Anytime you turn someone over that much you’re in good shape,” said Hutson. “That helped us get 30 more shots than Grafton, which helps your chances of winning dramatically.  We only had 11 turnovers and several of them were in the fourth quarter so that was a key statistic, both ways, in the game.”

 

On Thursday, things didn’t go nearly as well for Bridgeport. The Indians started off strong and were in the game by the time halftime rolled around. In fact, the game was tied at 14 after one period and the Tribe actually led 22-16 in the second period before the Huskies ratcheted things up.

 

“We were being aggressive and attacking the basket and Emily Riggs picked up her second foul a little earlier than you want in the second period. She went to the bench because you can’t take the chance of that third foul,” said Hutson. “It was after that when they made their run, but we still felt good about where we were at the start of the third, but nothing really changed.”

 

NMHS closed the quarter on a 12-2 run that left the hosts up 28-24 at the break. The closeness of the game would end in the third quarter as the Huskies continued the surge from the first half into what would end up being a 24-4 outburst that left them in complete control. When the start of the fourth period began, BHS was down 46-30 and it would not recover.

 

“We couldn’t throw in the ocean to start the second half and our energy wasn’t close to what North Marion brought,” Hutson said. “Things just snowballed and the game got away from us.”

 

Despite her early foul trouble, Riggs was the only player in double figures for the Indians with 13 points. Smith and Paige Humble were the next highest scorers as they both finished with eight points. Humble added a team-high 10 rebounds.

 

The Indians will play three games in four days if Mother Nature cooperates starting tomorrow with the Nicholas County game. The Tribe plays an early 10:45 a.m. contest at East Fairmont High School against state-ranked Winfield Monday on Martin Luther King Day. The team will then be at Lewis County for a 7:30 p.m. contest Tuesday.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Rory Marple going up for a shot, while freshman Paige Humble goes strong inside in the second photo. Bottom photo shows the Tribe's leading scorer Emily Riggs driving to the basket. Photos by Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.