The season was over, but after Bridgeport got beat in the opening round of the Class AA boys basketball sectional tournament this past March it was clear Mike Robey wasn’t quite ready to quit coaching for the year.

 

Instead, with the Indians missing the state tournament for the first time in Robey’s four years with the team as the head coach he saw it as a time to challenge those coming back for the 2017-18 season that’s set to begin.

 

“I remember the look on everyone’s faces and how upset they were. I got their attention and told them to take this feeling and remember exactly what it feels like and if you want to avoid it next year then you need to start working right now,” said Robey. “Not getting to Charleston last year is definitely a motivational thing we’ve used, not for me, but for the team because we don’t want them to ever take getting to where you want be for granted. I hope they learned from last year’s experience.”

 

Whether that happens remains to be seen. What doesn’t is that the learning process begins this evening. Bridgeport will open its campaign at the Waco Center on the campus of Glenville State College against Nicholas County.

 

If the Indians win, their next game will be Saturday at GSC. If the Tribe losses, they will play Friday.

 

“Every year our goal is to play in Charleston and last year down the stretch we underachieved and it cost us,” said Robey. “The path to getting back there starts against Nicholas County and I’m hoping to get back to Charleston with this group.”

 

Navigating the season, which includes another strong Big 10 Conference slate, won’t be easy. However, the Indians will go 10 deep this year on their quest for redemption.

 

“I know it sounds like coach speak, but we really could have a different starting lineup every night. We’ve had two scrimmages with two different starting lineups so it could be that way all year,” Robey said. “We have 10 kinds that can, in some way, contribute every night.

 

“We have a lot of pieces, but as far as basketball players they’re not all complete piece,” he continued. “Some are better on offense and don’t play as well defensively and some play strong defensively, but may struggle on the offensive end. Because of that, there’s a good chance you’ll see games where we’ve had 10 players in the game in the first half.”

 

The Indians should get a boost from the return of senior for Brayden Lesher. Lesher, Robey said, missed the entire second half of the season due to mono.

 

“He was our leading scorer and on his way to a great season before mono. The good news is that he’s picked right back up and I’m expecting a big year out of him.

 

Robey’s expecting big things out of the other nine varsity players as well. At the point, junior Blake Bowers and senior Adam Bentz both figure to see plenty of action, Robey said.

 

“Blake played a lot of minutes at the point last year and gained a lot of valuable experience. Adam is just as capable there as well and what’s good about both of them is they can both play the two and Adam is the type of kids that will add depth at the three if we need him,” said Robey.

 

The Indians also have other guards at their disposal. Sophomore John Mazza, who saw time as a freshman, is back in the fold this year.

 

“What I like is that he puts in tons of work and gets better every day,” said Robey. “He’s going to see action primarily as a two guard.”

 

Another guard is one Robey hesitates to label as a point or a two guard. Instead, he has a better tag for senior Jacob Perine.

 

“He’s a hybrid in that he doesn’t have a true position other than you can list him as the one you know that’s going to be diving on the floor for the loose ball, get the big rebound or take the charge,” said Robey. “If he scores, he’s fine with that. If he doesn’t, he’s fine with that too. Every team needs a player like that and we’ve got one.”

 

Another player who will see time in the backcourt, but could move to forward, is junior Tyler Hardesty. Hardest saw time in the starting lineup during the 2016-17 season.

 

“He’s long, but he’s been fighting injuries in the preseason that’s slowed him down. He’s just now getting close to where he needs to be from knee and hip problems,” said Robey of the 6’1 Hardesty. “If he gets going we know he can score for us.”

 

Another boost may come from sophomore Nick Stalnaker. Stalnaker, also at 6’1, will see time at guard and the forward spots as needed.

 

“He’s going to be a good one. He can step up and hit the outside shot and he’s strong enough to post up other guards or just go inside and play forward,” said Robey. “He can defend and rebound inside and you see improvement every day.”

 

Most definitely, 100 percent more up-tempo. For us to have success, we have to play up-tempo. I think we have the type of kids can play that style and they like to play that style and want to play that style so it’s not a hard sell to our kids.

 

Three players will be counted on for most of the consistent inside play. The biggest of those players is 6’4 junior Tanner Bifano.

 

“He’s a legitimate 6’4 who would be considered a stretch four if he was in the NBA because he does a good job of facing up to the basket,” said Robey. “We’re working with him on his game with his back to the basket, which he’s not done much of before. The good thing is that he gives us a player with multiple skills and size that provides a tough matchup.”

 

The Indians also return junior Jake Bowen. Despite his listed 6’0 height, Robey said he plays much bigger for the Tribe.

 

“He’s an absolute workhorse and a tremendous athlete that led us in rebounding as a sophomore,” said Robey. “Jake’s already close to being where he needs to be and he’s not been back with us too long because of football. Once he gets his basketball feet under him, we’ll have a guy so physical and athletic that he can play against guys much bigger, but at the same time is capable of stepping out.”

 

Finally, the Indians will rely inside on the play of 6’2 Jack Mitchell. The senior, Robey hopes, will be a game changer defensively for the Indians.

 

“Jack gives you everything he’s got whenever he steps on the floor so that guarantees he’ll be getting a lot of time. The big thing with Jack, beyond that, is he’s got good feet in the post and it shows up defensively and how he rebounds,” said Robey. “Defense is his strength and we’ll need that.”

 

The Indians will also need to go up-tempo this year. Without a plethora of big players, Robey said having 10 guys that can go for as many minutes as needed will be critical.

 

“It’s safe to say we want to have a fast came. Unless it changes, we’re showing that we’re going to be a much better 94-foot team than we are a halfcourt team,” Robey said. “The key will be getting better at the halfcourt came and continuing to excel when we speed things up.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Brayden Lesher in early season action last year, while Jake Bowen is shown in the second photo. Guard Blake Bowers is shown at the bottom. Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.