After the first three games of the 2017-18 season, Bridgeport girls basketball coach Dennis Hutson still wanted to see how his team would respond in certain situations. In game four Tuesday, he found out.

 

The Indians broke open a tight game at the half thanks to a strong third quarter and then held off a fourth quarter run by Nicholas County to earn a 54-46 win in the IOGA Classic at the Waco Center on the campus of Glenville State College.

 

“We overcame a lot to get the win,” said Hutson.  “I thought the third quarter, especially was very good and put us in the position we needed to be in to win the game.”

 

The win moves the Tribe to 3-1 on the year. It also moved BHS into the championship game of the Classic Saturday at 3:20 p.m. against Braxton County.

 

The game was tight in the early stages as Bridgeport led 11-8 after one period and by one point, 18-17, at the intermission. Part of the reason for Bridgeport’s struggles were the result of foul trouble.

 

“We had three starters sitting on the bench for large minutes of the first half and one of those players was Rory Marple,” said Hutson. “Her fouls were a particular problem because Nicholas has one of the better post players around.”

 

The player in question was Anna Hamilton. The Grizzlies Center finished with 28 points

 

When the third period rolled around the Indians not only found their regular rotation on the floor,  but they also  found their rhythm. The Tribe put on a 22-8 blitz in the quarter to have a seemingly comfortable 40-25 advantage going into the final eight minutes of play.

 

“When we got all of our starters back it made a difference,” said Hutson. “We came out in the third and got our transition game going and that got everything going, particularly our shooting that heated up. Defensively, even though they got back into the game in the fourth, we did a pretty good job throughout. We won the turnover battle by a pretty wide margin and when you do that good things usually happen.”

 

Hutson said the Indians forced 23 turnovers in the game. The Indians turned it over just nine time.

 

“That’s the battle you always want to win,” said Hutson.

 

While Hamilton was a one-person show for NCHS, the Indians had a three-headed attack on offense that was too much for the opposition. Kaitlin Smith led the way with 17 points, while Emily Riggs added 16 and Marple 15.

 

“Those three, hopefully, will led us every night because they’re our veterans. We’re hoping to see our guards step up … and get more contributions for the bench, but we think that’s going to happen,” said Hutson.

 

Bridgeport will be facing Braxton County for the second time this season. The Indians rolled to a 70-28 win at BHS.

 

“Nothing against Braxton, but this early in the season you want to face someone different. The bad thing for us is that they’re playing much better basketball and they have size, which has given us some early trouble,” said Hutson. “The kids better not take this team lightly because we beat them earlier or we could be in trouble.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Dennis Hutson reacting to a call, while Kaitlin Smith goes up for a basket in the second photo. Bottom picture shows Rory Marple driving to the basket for two of her 15 points. Photos by Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.