When Bridgeport takes the floor Saturday to face Fairmont Senior in the first boys’ basketball game by the Indians this year, it will be one year to the day since the Tribe last set foot on the floor. It was on that day a year again the Tribe played Robert C. Byrd in sectional action and were waiting for a March 12 chance to win a regional game to go to Charleston.

 

Then, everything changed. COVID first postponed that regional game then, in short order, eliminated it and the rest of the season. Now, after another COVID delay, the season is back on.

 

BHS will host the Polar Bears at roughly 1:45 p.m. Monday to kick off the campaign.

 

“To say we’re happy to be back is about as big of an understatement as there can be, especially being off this long,” said Coach Dave Marshall. “We weren’t just off, but we were away from one another and not doing what the kids love to do and what the coaches love to do.

 

“Now we’re back and since we’re all competitors I’m certain no one is taking this for granted,” Marshall continued. “I think it’s safe to belief we have a different perspective of being blessed to be able to play.”

 

Marshall, who is not big into coach speak, said this year, more than in any other year he has coached, starting lineups will be fluid. The one constant will be the return of Bridgeport’s only starting senior in Jack Bifano. The 6’5 big man will be the constant.

 

“Things will rotate around Jack and, barring injury or foul trouble, he’s going to be in the lineup,” said Marshall. “There are a lot of talented guys around him.”

 

Marshall pointed to a bevy of junior that will anchor things around Bifano. The group of Thomas Ayoob, Mitchell Duez, Antonio Renzelli, Jaden Haywood, Connor Meese, Gavin Tichenor, Jake Bush, and Julian Skasik are all part of a massive junior class.

 

They are not the only ones who could see time. Marshall said sophomore Anthony Spatafore will get a shot to compete as well senior transfer Alex Chittaro from Chicago, who Marshall said is learning the system well. The only other senior, Zach Lambert, will also figure into the mix, said Marshall.

 

First-year juniors Braden Wickenhofer and Trey Miller look to be in the rotation, as well as sophomores Brennan Cropp and Tucker Hewitt. Marshall said ideally, he would like to use a nine-man rotation but could play as many as 11 in regular settings.

 

How that group plays out will get tested early with the Polar Bears and then the next opponent, Class AAA top-ranked Robert C. Byrd in Clarksburg on March 9 (7:30 p.m.)

 

“You start with the Bears and, well, they’re the Bears. They’ve always got talent … and they have Dave Retton on the bench,” said Marshall. “After that, you go to Byrd, and everyone knows how much talent they have.”

 

The only difference with those foes this year is that FSHS and RCB are both Class AAA schools. The Indians are in the new Class AAAA, and the only school in the state to jump two classifications.

 

“We don’t really talk about the classifications, but we remind them we always want to compete at the highest level so they’re eager to compete,” said Marshall. “We know what’s in front of us.

 

“Typically, you would be overly concerned to possibly face schools that have 2,000 kids and you have 800 so you know depth is to their advantage, but I like the 16 guys I got,” said Marshall. “I think everyone is just glad to be back to compete.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of Jack Bifano, while Coach Dave Marshall is shown in the second photo handling things from the bench. Bottom photo shows Thomas Ayoob applying some defense. All photos by Ben Queen Photography.