Bridgeport will take a seven-game winning streak and a 10-1 record on the road this evening when it battles with its rival Robert C. Byrd in Clarksburg. The Eagles will be staring back at the Indians with an 8-3 record and a two-game winning streak.

 

Game time for varsity action is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

The contest is a makeup game from last Saturday. That outing was postponed due the fear of inclement weather that was forecast.

 

As of this morning, the game is still on. And it’s the first of two contests between the Harrison County and Big 10 foes.

 

The second game is scheduled for Feb. 16 at BHS. That game will also tip at 7:30 p.m.

 

“I know people don’t believe it when I say this, but we just see it as the next game on our schedule,” said Robey. “We know it’s a rival, but that’s the way we’ve always approached it.”

 

That doesn’t mean Robey isn’t aware of the stakes involved when the two teams meet. In fact, he’s well enough of the familiarity between the two teams that he doesn’t expect any surprises.

 

“They know what we’re going to do defensively and we know they’re going man to man. They know what we’re doing offensively and we know they’re going to try to get into transition and make it quick,” said Robey. “There’s not a lot of secrets between the teams. I’ve seen them in person a few times and on film and I’m sure (RCB Coach) Billy (Bennett) has done the same.

 

“It’s been that way as long as I’ve been here,” he continued. “What I expect is another highly competitive game.”

 

Bridgeport is coming into the game on a roll. The club hasn’t lost since a Dec. 22 road game against Nitro in the southern part of the state and have two victories already this week.

 

The second of the two victories this week came at home against Philip Barbour. The Indians overcame a sluggish start and rolled to a 73-48 win against the Colts.

 

Balance was key to the win for BHS as it overcame a 13-9 first quarter deficit to lead 34-24 at the half and never look back. The Tribe had four players in double figures – all starters – with John Ross Mazza leading the way with 14 points, Nick Stalnaker with 13, Jake Bowen with 11 and Blake Bowers with 10. Center starter Tanner Bifano just missed double digits with nine points, but led the team with eight rebounds.

 

“We’re halfway through the season at 11 games in and of those 11 games we’ve had at least nine of the 11 with four and sometimes five in double figures,” said Robey. “I’m glad that the kids are sharing the ball and I said (Thursday) night that if you’re not looking at the scorebook and don’t care who scores it increases your chances of being pretty successful.”

 

The win came on the heels of a road victory against Lewis County. Bridgeport held off a late surge by the Minutemen to get a 77-72 victory against the home team.

 

The game didn’t have the earmarks of one that would to the wire at halftime. In fact, BHS was in total control with a solid 42-27 advantage that last well into the third period.

 

Lewis County, however, would gradually cut into the spread. By the time the third quarter ended the lead was down to 55-47.

 

Things got even closer in the final eight minutes and that was the case even after Bridgeport went back ahead by 15 points midway through the fourth. Turnovers by the Tribe and hot shooting by Lewis County saw the lead whittled to five points with under a minute to play, but the hosts would get no closer.

 

“To be honest, Lewis County made a run where they hit three or four bomb 3-pointers that were decently contested. I mean they were deep,” said Robey. “It was just a situation where they’d hit one long and we’d missed the front end of a one and one and they came back and drilled another one. That happened more than once.

 

“We just got shaky at the foul line and came down and they hit the shots,” Robey continued. “My bigger concern was clock management. When you’re up double digits with under two minutes to go you don’t need to shoot 3-pointerss. The same shot that’s good early isn’t a good shot when you’re up 11 with two minutes to play.”

 

BHS again had balance in the game as all five starters managed double figures. Bowen and Mazza both had 18 points to lead the way. Bifano added 16, while Stalnaker and Bowers both finished with 10. Bifano again paced the team off the glass with 11 rebounds.

 

Bridgeport is back in action Tuesday against East Fairmont and Thursday against Elkins. Both contests are at home at both start at 7:30 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is from last year's BHS-RCB sectional contest, while second photo shows John Ross Mazza going to the basket Thursday against Philip Barbour. Below, Blake Bowers applies some defensive pressure against the Colts. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.