Bridgeport heads into the postseason with a 14-7 record, but more important is that the Tribe has clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming sectional tournament. Before the postseason, however, the Tribe played their final home and road games of the regular season with mixed results.

 

BHS managed to take home an 80-44 win on senior night Monday. The Indians then finished the season with an 83-51 loss at undefeated and Class AA top-ranked Fairmont Senior Wednesday.

 

In the game with Buckhannon-Upshur, Coach Mike Robey had been concerned about several slow starts in recent outings. He didn’t need to be in this game with the Buccaneers.

 

“Coach (Zak) Bart, myself and the kids talked about our bad first quarters and we decided to come out and pressure 94 feet and make it a full court game,” said Robey.  “In the last few games we had no rhythm in our half-court game on either offense or defense.

 

“The thing that made it work was the kids had a super high energy level and we got some easy shots off turnovers,” he continued. “Once that happened, everything seemed to snowball against Buckhannon and work in our favor.”

 

The Tribe came out of the gates smoking, in particular on defense. Bridgeport led 20-5 after the first eight minutes of play. Any hopes that things would cool down after the opening segment faded as the hosts ended up leading 42-16 at the half.

 

“We turned them over a lot before they got to half court or even get into their offense,” said Robey.  “That five-point first quarter was a direct result of high energy on defense.”

 

Bridgeport would add to its lead in the final two quarters.

 

Tanner Bifano led the Tribe with 17 points. Brayden Lesher and Jake Bowen also finished in double figures with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Bowen also led the way with nine rebounds.

 

Things didn’t go as well against the Polar Bears. For the second time this season the Indians found themselves on the wrong side of a lopsided score. This time, however, Bridgeport kept things within range for a half.

 

“I’m smart enough to know they’re the most athletic team in the state and the best team in the state in my opinion and you can’t match up man to man,” said Robey. “We changed up defensively and ran a couple of junk defenses in the first half and tried to slow them down and keep them out of an offensive rhythm and we stayed closed and played hard. We were within range for about two and a half quarters and then, just like that, we weren’t.”

 

The wheels fell off in the third period of play.  After being down 18-12 after one period and still within striking distance trailing 35-25 at the intermission, Fairmont did want it has done all season long – it went on a run.

 

The Polar Bears outscored Bridgeport 28-9 in the third period and the game went from up in the air to out of reach in less than eight minutes. Fairmont Senior led 63-34 after three and the game was essentially over.

 

Lesher was the only player in double figures. He finished with 17 points. Three other players – Adam Bentz, Jacob Perine and John Mazza – all finished with six points.

 

Bridgeport got crushed on the boards in the game. Fairmont finished with a 44-24 advantage.

 

“Bowen was out, which hurt some, but it wouldn’t have made up for that. The bad thing was there were so many times we had perfect position and did everything right and they’re just able to go and get the ball,” Robey said. “It may sound odd, but I didn’t think our execution was bad even in the second half.

 

“We played junk defense against them, which was geared at forcing others to step up,” Robey continued. “Those kids that usually don’t carry the scoring load did. They’re as deep as they are good and they’re the only team I know you can have perfectly defended and they throw a 25-foot diagonal pass and the kid catches it two feet above the rim for the score. That’s athleticism at its finest and when it’s clicking there’s no good way to defend it.”

 

One thing Robey and his team will have to defend is home court advantage. The Indians earned the No. 1 see in the upcoming sectional tournament. Game times and dates could change based upon the ongoing work stoppage and when those times and dates are submitted by Bridgeport High School they will be posted.

 

“I’m real happy to get that top seed because those kids worked hard and deserve it, said Robey. “Nothing was given to them this year because this is a blue collar type of team that works to win. We’re happy to be at home because if you look at our section and the results you realize anyone can win so having any advantage is a good thing.”

 

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