ORIGINAL: Tonight’s Class AA Region II, Section I semifinal between Bridgeport and Elkins has been postponed to Thursday as has the other semifinal between Liberty and Lincoln, according to Bridgeport High School Principal Matt DeMotto.

 

However, just where tomorrow’s games will be played is still up in the air. And the status of the games will be determined by whether the two-day teacher strike in West Virginia enters a third day.

 

According to DeMotto, if school is in session Thursday then Bridgeport will host Elkins and the Cougars will host the Mountaineers. Both games will be set for 7 p.m.

 

If the school strike continues, then no games will be played in Harrison County. Both semifinal games will be played at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and the starting times will change.

 

The Indians and the Tigers will square off at 6 p.m. The game between Liberty and Lincoln will tip off in Upshur County 25 minutes after the first contest is complete.

 

The section one championship will then be played Saturday at 7 p.m. It will be at B-U if the strike continues and if the strike is over and BHS wins the game will be at Bridgeport if Lincoln loses. If the Cougars win, they will host Bridgeport or Elkins in Shinnston Saturday.  

 

BHS will go into its sectional game with Elkins already owning two wins against the Tigers. The Tribe won 48-24 in Randolph County on Jan. 25 and took a 59-36 win at home back on Dec. 28.

 

The Indians are hopeful their starting five of Maddie Wilson, Emily Riggs, Rory Marple, Paige Humble and Hannah Bartlett will help do what the Tribe has been doing pretty much exclusively for more than a month – and that’s win.

 

Bridgeport goes into the sectional having won seven straight ball games and eight of its last nine including two wins against two Class AA top 10 teams in Lincoln and Frankfort. The streak has the Tribe at 15-7 on the year and several of the losses came early and came in the game’s final moments.

 

“We hated losing three games early to really good competition, but I would hate it more to lose three at this time. We hope the momentum continues into the tournament,” said Coach Dennis Hutson. “We have great chemistry with this group. It’s a good team that’s enjoyable to be around.”

 

There are several reasons for the winning, but Hutson points to defense as the key. And he knows it’s critical in the postseason.

 

“We held them to low scores in the regular season, but the goal is to play your best defense now. Defensive is always important, but it’s more critical come tournament time,” Hutson said. “I think kids tighten up when it’s one and done and there’s a chance your season could come to an end and because of that teams typically don’t shoot as well so you want to add to that pressure with good defense.”

 

The Tigers come into the game at 7-14. Hutson said they have weapons at their disposal and are led by Susan and Haleigh Riggleman.

 

“Those are their key players,” said Hutson. “They can shoot the ball and they can shoot the ball really deep. We have to be aware of that and we have to get our own offense going.”

 

The offense has been paced throughout the year by Emily Riggs, which has led to teams designing defenses to stop her. In recent weeks, it’s not been nearly as effective as several other players – led by Marple – have made teams pay.

 

“Rory has been really big last two games and solid against Lincoln. We need her to continue to do that,” said Hutson. “If teams decide to try and take away Riggers and Marple, then we need our other starters and we need Hannah Spurlock and Lauren Riffle to step up as well. During this run, everyone seems to be making positive contributions and it’s forcing our opponents to kind of a pick your poison situation. That works, but it only works if you do the one thing you have to do on offense and that’s make shots.”

 

If Bridgeport advances to the sectional final, the Indians will have another game win or lose. The winner of the sectional final hosts a regional championship game, while the loser will visit the home floor of the Section 2 winner. That game will be next week.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Emily Rigg in attack mode, while the second photo is of Hannah Spurlock looking for a teammate. The bench celebrates a win at Lincoln in the bottom photo. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.