Bridgeport High School Coach Mike Robey knows what the state’s prep basketball community is stating when it comes to this week’s Class AA boys’ state tournament. He knows they’ve been saying it for some time.

 

“I know what everyone has been saying and probably been saying since final buzzer of last year’s state title game when Fairmont Senior beat Chapmanville that those two would be back in the finals this year,” said Robey. “Neither team has done anything to change a lot of minds, but all year long we have proven naysayers wrong and produced a successful season. We’re not going in with the mindset that the final is already predetermined. We go into every game with a plan to win it.”

 

Winning Wednesday in the ‘AA’ quarterfinal Wednesday at the Charleston Civic Center will be a tall order both literally and figuratively. The No. 7 Indians will be facing No. 2 Chapmanville who come into the game at 24-1 and feature one of the biggest lineups in the state.

 

The game will tip at 1 p.m.

 

“Our kids know what’s in front of us so we’re not trying to pretend like this isn’t a monumental challenge,” said Robey. “We’re approaching it the same way and that is that myself and Coach (Zak) Bart are going to try and find a weakness and take advantage of it. If they have one then we’ll try to exploit it.”

 

The Tigers come into the game with the zero losses against teams from West Virginia. Outside of a seven-point win earlier this year against Logan, they’ve beaten every team by double digits – and handily in most cases.

 

A big reason for the team’s dominance beyond talent is that they are big. Sophomore forward Obinna Anochili-Killen leads the way on the size front by averaging 14 points per game.

 

On top of that, CHS comes at you with a 6’4 guard in Drew Williamson who is averaging a team-high 18 points per game. Throw in 6’5 guard Devin Collins (10 points per game) and you see just why they are “big” throughout the roster.

 

“I don’t think I’m revealing anything when I say we don’t matchup with them size wise at all,” said Robey.

 

If those three aren’t enough, two other guards also bring it for the Tigers. Dylan Smith adds 12 points per game, while Kyle Browning comes in at 10 points a night.

 

“With the size disadvantage, we have to do things to offset it,” said Robey. “They are dominant defensively and a lot of that is because of Obinna. He’s quick and explosive and he’s not just a tall kid clogging up the lane. If you beat them back door he can cover 15 feet and block the shot. He’s that good.”

 

Robey said they have to control the tempo into their favor. He said Chapmanville uses a 2-2-1 press to force teams into mistakes. If you beat the pressure, he said the Tigers want you to put up a quick shot to get into a high tempo game.

 

“We know we can’t do that. It’s a recipe for disaster,” Robey said.

 

Robey said they’ll be no talk of what happened in two regular season setbacks to top-seed Fairmont Senior, nor will there be discussion on Bridgeport’s near upset of Class AAA No. 1 University. He said none of it matters.

 

“We’re 100 percent focused on Chapmanville. People make think we’ll be talking about how we nearly beat University, but we didn’t beat them and I’m not into moral victories,” said Robey. “Besides, University and Chapmanville are night and day in their styles.”

 

Hoping to find a way to maneuver around the Tigers’ style will be Bridgeport’s standard starting five. Blake Bowers (8 ppg) will start at the point, Adam Bentz (5.5 ppg) and Brayden Lesher (16.5 ppg) will be on the wings, while Jake Bowen (9.5 ppg) will start at the forward spot. Tanner Bifano (9.1 ppg) will man the center position.

 

Robey said he’s certain Chapmanville Coach Brad Napier is also breaking down film. And he knows what he’s seeing.

 

“I’m smart enough to know they’ve watched us and they know Brayden has done the bulk of the scoring and for us to have a chance, we have to have other kids step up and hit shots,” said Robey. “I don’t know if we can get a lot of stuff in the paint, but Tanner and Jake are both capable of stepping out. That’s not a statement of us being afraid to take it in the paint, but with Obinna inside having your big guys with the ability to face up and shoot from outside doesn’t hurt.”

 

Bridgeport comes into the game with a 17-7 record. Bridgeport will leave today at 2:30 p.m.

 

The Indians have won two state titles. Chapmanville, last year’s runner-up, won its first-ever state tournament game in 2017.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.