After a strong season that saw Bridgeport finish 17-8 and make it back to the Class AA state tournament, the Indians boys’ basketball team watched two of their starters, including their leading scorer, and their sixth man graduate.

 

But don’t feel too down for veteran Coach Mike Robey. The personnel cupboard he is looking at for the 2018-19 season isn’t bare.

 

While replacing leading scorer Brayden Lesher, starter Adam Bentz, and bench defensive stopper Jacob Perine won’t be easy, having three starters back from last year makes things a bit easier.

 

The Indians will likely lean heavily on Tanner Bifano, Blake Bowers and Jake Bowen. All played a critical part in last season’s run to Charleston that ended with a first round setback to eventual state champion Chapmanville.

 

“They’re all starters, a year older, a year strong and, hopefully, a year smarter,” said Robey. “It’s always a positive when you have seniors leading the way and, right now, we’re utilizing them to help us get cohesive and gel together on both ends of the floor.

 

“The seniors know communication is important on offense and defense and they’re doing a good job,” Robey continued. “If you’re team is loud and making noise by talking to one another it’s a good sign. That’s what we want as our starting point.”

 

The starters returning will figure into the mix when the season begins Wednesday. And it’s always a bonus when one of the starters back is a point guard and the Tribe has that in Blake Bowers.

 

“He’s tried a lot of harder this year to get everyone involved and doing a good job of finding people with the basketball. He can score, but he’s doing a really better job of finding people and trying to create to get people open,” said Robey. “You have to draw people to you to get others open and he’s doing that.”

 

While Bowers will be handling things on the perimeter the Indians will have an inside presence as well. Tanner Bifano is back with his big frame leading the way.

 

“He’s about 6’5 or 6’6 and he’s worked hard. That work shows because he’s stronger, he’s finishing around the rim and he’s rebounding better,” Robey said. “He’s capable of having a monster year, but it’s up to him. He’s got the skill set to play in the pain or step out, face up and score.”

 

The other returning player is also just returning from football. Jake Bowen and his 6’0 frame will man the four-spot, and occasionally the three, for the Indians.

 

“He’s our leading returning rebounder and every night we play he’s our best athlete on the floor,” said Robey. “Just like last year, he needs repetitions and that’s coming as he’s catching up. The thing about Jake is he’ll often get the rebound, make the outlet and be the first one running at the front of break.”

 

The senior trio will be joined by a pair of players that saw plenty of action last year. Juniors John Ross Mazza and Nick Stalnaker should be a big part of the equation as to just how well the Tribe does in 2018-19.

 

“John Ross is a gym rat junkie and has put the time and work in. It shows because he’s a good shooter from deep. The thing this year is he sees the floor well and has worked on his ball handling to take advantage of that and to create his own shot,” said Robey.

 

As he was last year, Robey is high on the upside of Stalnaker. He thinks the guard is scratching the surface of his ability.

 

“He’s got a lot of tools and sometimes I don’t think he realizes how good he can be,” Robey said. “He’s long for a guard and strong for a guard. He shoots and rebounds well and when he’s putting it all together you have a player that can be dangerous for you and to the opponent.”

 

Robey said there’s one other thing he likes about the starting unit this year.

 

“On any given night any of those kids could be leading scorer,” said Robey.

 

Robey is pleased with what he sees coming off the bench. And he knows he’s going to need depth – and quality depth – to get back to the state tournament.

 

He pointed to senior Aaron Randolph as a “high energy” player. He said Randolph will see minutes at three spot.

 

Sophomore Ryan Goff “knows the game well,” which is important. Robey has him penciled in as seeing time at the point guard as well as the two or three if needed.

 

Junior Austin Massey is another “high energy” guy for the Indians. Robey said Massey is coming back from a torn labrum in his hip and will see most his time at the small forward spot.

 

Another junior, Corey Skidmore, is what Robey calls “a coach’s dream.” He said he could be this year’s version of Jacob Perine as the type of player that will do whatever is needed to help the team win.

 

Backing up Bifano will be junior Talon Martin, who comes in at 6’1. Robey said Martin “will surprise people” with his ability to pass out of the post and his shooting ability.

 

“I think we’ve got the tools, but the first concern is the same as it always is early the year where we seem to be trying to get out of each other’s way and that takes time,” said Robey. “The biggest concern is that we don’t’ defend very well. I don’t want to score 90 to win. We’ve always relied on defense to win and right now we’re not defending well. It’s not a lack of effort as much as it’s a lack of not knowing where we need to be.”

Robey said getting back to Charleston will be a task. He said the section and region is strong with Robert C. Byrd and a host of others, including teams like Elkins and Nicholas County who he said no one better look past.

 

“The potential is there to get to Charleston. We have to get through our own hurdles and the hurdles of the schedule to make it happen,” said Robey.

 

Bridgeport begins its season Wednesday (Dec. 12). The Indians take on Tucker County on the campus of Glenville State College in the Waco Tournament with an afternoon tip of 4 p.m.

 

The Tribe’s second game is also their home opening contest. The Indians face Liberty on Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of Tanner Bifano followed by Blake Bowers and Jake Bowen, respectively. Coach Mike Robey is shown in the photo below. All photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.