Bridgeport Coach Dennis Hutson has been around long enough to know there will be nights when you’re shooting touch just isn’t there. He’s also been around enough to know there’s never a night when you’re effort shouldn’t be there.

 

In the past week, issues – both good and bad – with shooting and effort have witnessed the Indians go 1-3 in their last four games. Last night, the Indians suffered a 53-50 loss to Lewis County on the Tribe’s home floor.

 

“There was no effort in the first half, but it improved in the second half and we held them to 23 points,” said Hutson and at least got into position to win the game. “When you get beat on the boards and allow easy shots and play flat footed, that’s a lack of effort. Anyone that dribbled the ball just took it straight to the rim. That lack of effort put us in a position we couldn’t get out of. Give Lewis credit too, because they hit some big shots.”

 

Bridgeport is now 7-6. The Indians host Philip Barbour at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

 

Even with a stronger showing in the final two periods, Bridgeport was still down by eight points – 53-45 – with 1:45 to go when the hosts made their final move. A 5-0 run, coupled by free throw woes by LCHS, gave the Indians life with under four seconds to play when a one-and-one by Lewis County was missed.

 

While the pulse for victory was weak, Rory Marple made everyone’s heart flutter for a second. Her heave from near half court rimmed in and out at the horn and Lewis County avoided overtime.

 

“It looked good, but we never should have been in that position,” said Hutson about losing to the now 9-4 Minutemaids.

 

Lewis County led 18-13 following one period of play and were up 30-21 at the half. Things could have been worse if not for the play of Quinn Stalnaker who scored 15 of the team’s 21 in the first 16 minutes.

 

“Quinn just carried us in the first half,” said Hutson. “In the second half they doubled down on her and we went to the perimeter and outside of Rory Marple no one could hit an outside shot. Rory’s effort is the result of working hard, watching game film and wanting to win. I think we’re going to see more from her, but I definitely don’t want to see more of the effort, or lack of effort, that we’ve been seeing lately.”

 

Bridgeport not only fought back, but went ahead when Kaitlin Smith’s triple made it 36-35 in the third. BHS would lead one last time – 40-39 – before Lewis County went up for good and withstood the last minute flurry by the Indians.

 

Stalnaker led Bridgeport with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Marple added 15 by hitting on 7-of-11 from the floor.

 

“You take those two out and we shot 6-for-26,” said Hutson. “You shoot like that and play half a game with no effort and you’re going to lose most of the time.”

 

Last night’s setback saw the third game in which the Indians played without starter Emily Riggs due to a concussion. Hutson is expecting her back tonight after the Indians played a challenging stretch of four games in six days.

 

“Not having Riggs hurt,” said Hutson. “She’s our second leading scorer, rebounder and she’s second in assists, plus she gets after it. Hopefully, she’ll be able to play (tonight).”

 

The Indians’ lack of effort was evident in more than just the game with Lewis County. What makes the trend hard to swallow is that the Tribe started this most recent four-game stretch battling the state’s No. 1 team down to the wire.

 

Last Friday, Bridgeport dropped an 84-78 decision to Class AA top-ranked North Marion. The game was played at BHS.

 

“I’m no fan of losing, but to see the effort was encouraging. It was something I should be able to bank on for every game and if we could then maybe we wouldn’t be a .500 team,” said Hutson.

 

The Tribe had several players step up against the Huskies. Gianina Renzelli led the way with 19 points, seven boards and six assists. Stalnaker was right with Renzelli on offensive output as she also had 19 points.

 

Smith continued her outside touch. She finished with five 3-point field goals on her way to 15 points.

 

BHS had less than a day to get ready for its next game. In fact, the Tribe had to visit Nicholas County for a 4:15 p.m. contest.

 

“We may have had some tired legs, but I know we didn’t even come close to matching the effort we had against North Marion,” said Hutson.  “There was no passion, zero intensity and we got beat.”

 

Bridgeport fell 46-37 in the contest at Summersville. Renzelli was the spark offensively for Bridgeport. She finished with 13 points.

 

Bridgeport’s lone win game in another early start game; this time an afternoon game with Wayne at 12:30 p.m. at East Fairmont High School in the East Fairmont Girls Basketball Classic. BHS won 51-28.

 

“We had a great defensive game against them, but it’s the type of defense we should be playing every night. We play hard when we feel like it. Playing hard is something you shouldn’t feel that you have to do, but it should be something you just do,” he said. “Sometimes I’m not sure what goes through the heads of teenagers.”

 

Bridgeport was able to win thanks to perhaps the best game of the year for Stalnaker. She finished with 23 points and 12 boards. Smith’s 14 point total included a trio of triples.

 

Bridgeport, for the second straight week, will play three games in four days. Along with tonight’s game with the Colts, the Indians will host Preston at 2:45 p.m. Saturday. The Indians will then play at Robert C. Byrd Monday at 7:30 p.m.

 

With nine games left, Hutson said he’s told his team it’s time for the seniors to decide what their legacy will be – that of a winning team or won that was .500.

 

“I told the kids (Wednesday) night that as freshman they were pretty much a .500 team and they were basically the same as sophomores and juniors,” said Hutson. “I told them they have these remaining games left to change their predicament. I asked them if they wanted to change the scenario. It’s up to them.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Tyler Vincent of www.benqueenphotography.com.