Bridgeport Coach Mike Robey has never spoke about anything but the next game – no matter who was showing up next on the schedule. Next on the schedule is MetroNews Class AA No. 1-ranked Fairmont Senior.

 

This evening at Bridgeport High School, the 15-2 and No. 5-ranked Tribe will look to be the second team to take down the 16-1 Polar Bears this year. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

“I’m expecting the top-ranked team to come rolling into Bridgeport ready to play. They just had a big win over East Fairmont and watched them play (Robert C.) Byrd and it looks like they’re focused after Byrd played them tight,” said Robey. “They’re long. They’re athletic. They’re quick and they pressure the ball and crash the boards. They don’t have a whole lot of weaknesses.

 

“We’ll have to change defenses and do multiple things to keep them off balance, which others have tried and not with a lot of success,” Robey continued. “At same time, we’re not changing from what has made us successful. They’re very good, but I think our kids are pretty good too.”

 

The Indians will bring a strong starting five that has either been or near double figures in scoring average the entire season. The group of Jake Bowen, Tanner Bifano, Blake Bowers, Nick Stalnaker and John Ross Mazza will lineup looking to knock off the Bears. Ryan Goff, Austin Massey and Aaron Randolph are the top reserves.

 

Fairmont’s roster is loaded, as Robey said, with talent and size. The Polar Bears will likely counter with a starting five of Zyon Dobbs, Jalen Bridges, Dasilas Jones, Trey Washenitz and Patrick Laxton.

 

Bridgeport comes into the contest on a five-game winning streak. The last of those wins came Thursday as BHS toppled Buckhannon-Upshur by a 65-54 score without the services of Stalnaker who was sitting out with what is described as a minor injury.

 

The Tribe broke managed to get themselves some breathing room thanks to a strong third quarter. The Indians trailed 13-10 after one period before going back up at halftime by a 29-27 score.

 

In the third segment, Bridgeport outscored Buckhannon by eight points. That put the hosts up 50-40 going into the final eight minutes and the Indians managed to hold off the Buccaneers the rest of the way although B-U did cut the lead to three in the fourth on one occasion.

 

Bowers and Mazza led the way with 17 points each. Bowen and Bifano had 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Goff added eight in another well-rounded effort. Bowen led the team with 12 rebounds, while Bifano grabbed 10.

 

“I was really pleased with our effort considering we’re facing adversity right off the bat without Nick,” said Robey. “I thought Ryan Goff was outstanding running our offense as we moved Blake to the two and Ryan quarterbacked the offense really well.

 

“I was proud of Ryan and our entire team’s effort against a really good Buckhannon team,” he continued. “This was a good team win and I liked the energy we showed. We always tell our kids to play the game with a sense of desperation.”

 

The win came on the heels of a victory that may have seemed a bit improbable. The Tribe trailed 44-40 and the Cougars had the ball with under a minute to play when the rally began in what turned into 51-47 overtime win Tuesday.

 

The rally started when Stalnaker was fouled with 49 seconds left. Stalnaker calmly drilled a pair of free throws to bring the Indians to 44-42.

 

Bridgeport fouled quickly and watched Lincoln miss the one and one only to see the Cougars grab the offensive rebound and force another trip to the line. This time, Lincoln hit the first and missed the second to lead 45-42 and make it a one possession game.

 

BHS managed to work the ball around to Mazza following a timeout and Mazza delivered. The junior banked home a long-range 3-point field goal just off the left side of the key that would eventually force overtime.

 

“That was an out of bounds play that we’ve worked on all year. I told the kids we’re going to need that play for the 3-pointer this year and that was first time we ran it,” said Robey. “The kids executed, Nick got open, and made the pass to John Ross. His job was to hit that shot and that’s exactly what he did.”

 

The Indians, who battled from behind for large portions of the game, never trailed in overtime. Mazza, who nailed the big shot, paced the team with 14 points. Bowen had 13 and Stalnaker added 11.

 

“I never felt that we were dead in the water even though we battled back all night. The kids knew a big reason for it was on us because there were periods where we got loose with the ball and didn’t take care of it and other times we were just lackadaisical with it,” the coach said. “Eventually, we figured out our defense would save us if we were going to win.”

 

Robey said the difference in the overtime was jumping out fast. He said once they got the lead the team’s demeanor changed.

 

“We got a quick turnover and a runout with Jake and then another turnover for a quick four-point lead. It’s amazing how much more relaxed you played in front as opposed from behind,” said Robey. “Momentum is a strange thing, but it’s always best to have it on your side late.”

 

Bridgeport is back in action Tuesday with a home game against Lewis County. On Thursday, Bridgeport will visit East Fairmont. Both games are set for 7:30 p.m.

 

The Indians will host Robert C. Byrd next Saturday, Feb. 16. That game has been moved to a 1 p.m. start with the junior varsity contest tipping at 11:15 a.m.