When Bridgeport boys’ basketball Coach Mike Robey looks at the game book or thinks about Wednesday’s season-opening contest against Tucker County, he does what most coaches do. He looks to find something to improve upon.

 

While that didn’t change as Robey pondered things Thursday, he wasn’t fretting over the negatives. Of course, that’s easier to do when your squad opens the season with a win and hits the century mark in the process.

 

The Indians opened the season with a 100-74 win against Tucker County in the IOGA Classic at the Waco Center on the campus of Glenville State College.

 

“When you score 100 points you should be pleased,” said Robey. “I’ve got some things to address, but I’m real pleased.”

 

It would be hard not to. The Indians managed to force 27 turnovers and commit just eight. The Tribe assisted on 22 of their 40 field goals and never let the lead get below double digits in the entire second half. Add to that the fact all five Bridgeport starters got into double figures – combining for 80 points – and you have a coach more pleased than dismayed.

 

“The assists and the scoring balance doesn’t surprise me because we don’t have selfish kids,” said Robey. “We moved the ball pretty well against then when they played man early for the first three or four minutes and then played the rest of the game in a 1-3-1. We attacked their defense and got some nice shots because of it.”

 

Some of the shots came off of transition. That’s going to happen when you force nearly 30 turnovers in a contest.

 

Point guard Blake Bowers led the Indians with 21 points. Center Tanner Bifano was good for 18 points and six rebounds, while fellow insider player Jake Bowen added 16. Nick Stalnaker and John Ross Mazza rounded out those in double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

 

Bridgeport led 24-15 after one quarter. The Tribe was up 48-33 at the break and added to the lead in the final two quarters.

 

“We turned them over 19 times in the first half,” said Robey. “You see that, and you think ‘wow.’ For the most part it was good, but our kids have to learn that defense doesn’t end until you regain possession of the ball without them scoring. Sounds elementary, but it’s the truth.”

 

Robey’s one big issue was rebounding. The Tribe was outrebounded 37 to 26, which led to Tucker County shooting 54 percent from the floor; usually a recipe for disaster.

 

“We would play decent defense and keep them out of the paint and then they would be getting second and third shots. We got outrebounded and that can’t happen if we want to be successful this year,” Robey said. “Forcing a miss on a long shot and then allowing a follow-up from under the basket is going to boost a team’s field goal percentage big time. They took it to us on the glass because we didn’t close out our defensive possessions. That’s where our focus of improvement will be.”

 

The next chance at that comes Saturday. The Indians are in the title game of the IOGA Classic. The Tribe will battle Braxton County at the Waco Center at 5 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Blake Bowers is shown going in for two of his team-high 21 points while Nick Stalnaker releases a deep shot in the second photo. Below, Coach Mike Robey gives his team some instruction. Photos by Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.