By Bill Nestor
Former Fairmont Senior standout basketball player Jalen Bridges put an end to his college career last week when he signed a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns. Bridges helped make the Polar Bears a Class AA power during his high school playing days, at the same time garnering offers from several top schools around the country.
Bridges chose to stay close to home and spent two seasons with Bob Huggins in Morgantown. He would not only become a starter at WVU, but would also become a major contributor and showed signs of brilliance. After redshirting his first year in Morgantown, Bridges averaged 18 minutes per game and then nearly 27 minutes an outing over the next two seasons.
He would transfer to Baylor for the 2022-23 season where his playing time rose above 27 minutes a contest and he averaged double-digits (10.3 per game) for the first time in his college career. Bridges would save his best for last, averaging personal highs in minutes (31.8) and points (12.2.)
Bridges was on the cusp of being selected in the NBA Draft and was considered one of the best free agents not taken in the two day event. He announced his signing almost immediately after the conclusion of the Draft. He is not only a gifted player, but he has a great attitude and a terrific work ethic. I was fortunate to broadcast several of his games while he was at Fairmont Senior and his maturity level was also high back then. Bridges has always been ahead of the curve mentally and physically and now has the opportunity of a lifetime
Hopefully, we will see him hitting big three-pointers in the big leagues before long.
Speaking of the NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James with the 55th pick. He is the son of current Lakers’ star Le Bron James. Dad is considered by many to be the best to ever play the game and the Lakers wanted to keep the star in town. Le Bron has mentioned on several occasions that he wanted to play with Bronny. Los Angeles increased their chances of keeping the modern day goat by taking his son. It will be the first time in NBA history that there will be a father-son tandem playing together.
The high school basketball season is officially in the books with the boys and girls North-South games that were played recently in South Charleston.
On the boys’ side, the South Cardinals upended the North Bears 86 to 79. A pair of local standouts played well in defeat for the North squad. Grafton’s Jacob Maier was the team’s second leading scorer with 15 points and was their MVP. Lincoln’s Brayden Edgell chipped in with seven points. The Cardinals were paced by Shady Springs’ Ammar Maxwell. Maxwell pumped in a game high 32 points.
In the girls’ lock up, the South edged the Bears 57 to 55. In a nail-biter. Ripley’s Sophie Nichols led her team with 21 points. The North had several major contributors in the affair. Cameron’s Ashlynn Van Tessell recorded a double-double with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Lincoln’s Ashlyn Riley netted seven points while Doddridge County’s Tenley Paugh (daughter of former RW standout Jamie Paugh) chipped in three points.
That will do it for now. Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!