Bridgeport High School boys basketball coach Dave Marshall issued a challenge to the players he knew would be returning following the completion of the 2023-24 season.

 

With an expanded number of flex practice days to work with and the traditional three-week period in June a thing of the past, Marshall was counting on his returnees to be leaders in the offseason.

 

So far, he is pleased with the results.

 

“This has been a really good flex period in relative to what we have had in the past,” Marshall said. “I think there is a coupe of reasons. I want to brag on my seniors, the leaderships we have gotten has been tremendous.

 

“Last year’s group did a great job of leading right back to when we got back to school after Labor Day. This group, there was a gap there where the guys can pick it up and run with it from the end of the season to Labor Day and so far they have.

 

“Also, I think part of it is this spreading it out. We haven’t felt like we have had to squeeze everything in in three weeks.”

 

The Indians began taken advantage of the flex days before school was out for the summer and they have been practicing two days a week and have played in three shootouts.

 

Marshall said attendance has been tremendous and the work his players are putting in extends past the flex day sessions as they have been getting together at least once a week as a group, on their own, to play.

 

Gone from last year’s team that finished 20-5 and played in the Class AAAA Region I co-finals for the fourth consecutive year are graduated seniors Zach Ayoob, Ashton Curry, Ben Bifano and Rowen Michaelis. All four were key parts of the team’s primary eight-man rotation.

 

Back however is the other half of that rotation in Phoenix Sickles, Landon Sanders, Jack Spatafore and Anderson McDougal, in addition to a host of talented young players poised for an increased role.

 

Sickles, a AAAA second-team All-State selection, and Sanders were everyday starters a year ago. Spatafore and McDougal primarily came off the bench but often played starter minutes. Each also had stretches were they were arguably the best player on the court for the Indians.

Both will have expanded roles in the 2024-25 season and Marshall is confident the duo is up for the challenge.

 

“All signs so far, not only do they want that, they expect that of themselves,” Marshall said. “We expect that out of them and they have done everything you should do if you want to be in that role.”

 

BHS will be in Class AAA Region I along with Robert C. Byrd, Lewis County, Lincoln, Hampshire, Keyser, Frankfort and Berkeley Springs.

After more than holding their own at the quad A level the past four seasons, the Indians figure to be a strong force in Class AAA but Marshall wants people to realize nothing is going to be easy stepping down a classification.

 

“If anything it’s nice that you won’t be competing against schools with twice our enrollment,” Marshall said. “However, you still have Robert C. Byrd and Lewis County and Fairmont Senior, Shady Spring, Chapmanville, Nitro. It’s not easy in Class AAA.”

 

Marshall said the Indians will see Nitro in the regular season this year as the Wildcats replace Morgantown on the schedule. BHS will stay play Wheeling Park for at least one more year in what became a really good Class AAAA rivalry.

 

He also said Bridgeport is planning to be the host for a holiday tournament this year.

 

Editor's Note: Marshall gives instructions to his team during a flex day practice in top photo, while the bottom photo features McDougal (with ball). Photos by Joe LaRocca.