It’s 2018 and Bridgeport Coach Mike Robey will be the first to tell you there’s a lot of improvement needed for his Indians basketball team. He’ll also be the first to tell you there’s a lot of season left to be played to see just how good – or bad – this year’s version of the Tribe is.

 

Robey will also be the first to tell you something else. He’s thrilled that his team is currently 5-0 and is showing improvement in areas he knows are going to be important if the Indians want to build on their fast start.

 

“I’m pleased with our 5-0 start, but I think I’ve been the most pleased during the last two ball games,” said Robey of the team’s 58-57 win over Robert C. Byrd Dec. 22 and the 58-39 win against Elkins on Dec. 27. “We started doing things on the offensive side of the ball as far as knowing where we were supposed to be and running proper sets and on defense we were communicating and showing cohesion.

 

“Those two things are tremendously important for any team,” Robey continued. “I don’t know if people realize just how important communication between players on the court is if you want to have any type of success.”

 

Bridgeport rolled to the 19-point win in its first game after the win over rival RCB. The Tribe led 30-13 at the half and held on to easily get the victory.

 

“We won by a good number, but it’s still an ongoing process and I’ve said it before so I know it sounds like continual coach-speak. The process involves 10 kids playing and making sure the five we have on the floor, any five, knows where they’re supposed to be and what they’re supposed to be doing,” said Robey. “I’m seeing more and more of that and I’m seeing consistent effort is something I demand every night.”

 

Tanner Bifano led the Indians with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Tyler Hardesty, coming off the bench for the first time of the year, added 11 points.

 

“It seems like every night someone steps up. Tanner just seems to get better every game and Tyler comes of the bench and immediately responds with his best game of the year,” said Robey. “A lot of people think we’re just going to use Brayden Lesher to score, but we’ve got guys that can step up every night.”

 

Lesher came up big in the win against the Eagles with a game-high 23 points. Bifano added 12 points and 11 boards, while Jake Bowen had 10 points in the game.

 

“We trailed early, but built a 14-point lead late and they chipped away at it,” said Robey. “Usually, it’s a case where turnovers or poor offense is the culprit, but Tanner Kennedy just hit every single 3-point shot he took late; he must have hit five or six and most of them were contested.

 

“We didn’t do anything to let that lead slip away and the fact that we ran good things and got good looks and buckets on nearly every fourth quarter possession makes it tolerable,” he continued. “The positive thing is that we faced adversity and I tell the kids we’re going to face it every game. It’s how we respond that will define us and we responded well in that game.”

Weather permitting, Bridgeport will be back in action Friday against Preston. The next game is Jan. 10 at Grafton.

 

“I hope we can avoid bad weather because it’s been a joy watching all these kids contribute whether it’s Nick Stalnaker and John Ross Mazza doing what they’re asked when they come in, Jacob Perine coming in and playing full title or, heck, I could just go down the list,” said Robey. “We’re getting something from everyone and everyone is getting comfortable with each other and you can see it in practice and in the games.”

 

Bridgeport’s game Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Tanner Bifano going up strong, while Brayden Lesher works the dribble against the Elkins defense. In the bottom photo, Jacob Perine provides the BHS defense against the Tigers. Photos by Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.