EDITOR'S NOTE: Bridgeport toppled Mingo Cenral 72-50 in the Cardinal Conference-Big 10 Conference Classic in Institute. Congratulations to BHS.

 

It’s been years since Bridgeport High School hosted a holiday basketball tournament. Starting Dec. 29, the Johnson Avenue school will make up for the absence of hoops action during the Christmas break in a really big way.

 

Starting Dec. 29 and continuing on Dec. 30 and even on New Year’s Eve, Bridgeport will play host to the 5th Annual EQT Energy Classic with games over a three-day period at BHS and Bridgeport Middle School. Games will feature both the Indians’ boys and girls’ teams along with teams from across West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

 

“(Fans can expect) exceptional basketball coupled with a ‘Final Four’ like atmosphere,” said Tara Darazio, representing EQT. “(It should be) lots of fun (with) fan interaction with plenty of giveaways each game and evening.”

 

The Indians will joined in the field on the boys side of the bracket by Morgantown, North Marion, East Fairmont, Frankfort, Washington (Pa.), and Propel Andrew Street (Pa.) The Pennsylvania squads area both from western Pennsylvania. The girls’ side includes the Tribe, East Fairmont, Frankfort, Robert C. Byrd, Fairmont Senior and Propel Andre Street.

 

As for the Indians’ boys’ team, they will play against Frankfort on Monday, Dec. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at BHS. The girls’ team also will battle the Falcons Monday at 3:30 p.m. at BHS. The remainder of the games and their locations will be determined by who wins. Click HERE for the boys’ bracket and click HERE for the girls’ bracket.

 

Second-year boys Coach Mike Robey and first year girls Coach Paul Ayers are both thrilled to have the tournament in Harrison County. In fact, Robey was involved in helping land the tournament after he took BHS to Pennsylvania last year to participate in the event.

 

“This is something we started working on last year when they offered it to us. It’s a good event that will showcase the athletes here in north central West Virginia,” said Robey, whose team opens play Dec. 18 at home against Liberty. “Plus, we’re bringing in teams out of Pennsylvania; and they’re good teams. It’s going to be a nice tournament.”

 

As for Ayers, he’s hopeful the tournament will provide an early season test for a very youthful girls' squad.

 

“We’re really excited because EQT does a tremendous job with the way they run tournament,” said Ayers, who was an assistant last year when the girls’ team was in Pennsylvania for the event. “It was top notch in how they treat you and it is top notch in form of competition. For us to host it and for our squad to get a chance to play against these programs is just what we need at this stage of the year.”

 

The championship games will take place on New Year’s Eve. The last game of the day is set for 3 p.m. and Robey thinks that it shouldn’t impact the turnout with the holiday contests.

“I think we’re going to get a good turnout even with those dates. It’s a good tournament and we hope to see a lot of people in town for the game; you can already see them advertising it,” said Robey. “They bring in entertainment, guest speakers and have all types of contests. It’s a lot of fun and we hope the community embraces it.”

 

Ayers agreed.

 

“We haven’t hosted a tournament in a while so I’m hoping that with the number of teams and days that the tournament covers should lead to a good turnout at both venues,” said Ayers. “We certainly hope the community will come out and support the tournament and the teams in it.”

 

Along with a total of 24 games on each side of the bracket, there will be t-shirt throws and an appearance by the Air Elite Acrobatic Dunk Team during halftime of the boys title game on Dec. 31. The group has performed at multiple high profile venues. Although not open to the public, the teams will get to hear from former Pittsburgh Pirate world champion pitcher Steve Blass at the pre-tournament banquet.

 

Click HERE for the EQT Tournament Web site for any and all information, including profiles on the teams involved. There are also contests you can enter as well.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows John Wilfong, while Hannah Fetty is pictured in the middle. Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.