By Bill Nestor
Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd captured Class AAA regional wins and will represent Harrison County in the boys’ state tournament. The Indians were the top seed in the regional while the Flying Eagles were ranked second. This meant home court for both squads and it would prove to be a huge advantage for one of the teams.
The Tribe hosted a deliberate Hampshire team last Thursday. It was a defensive struggle early with a seven to seven tie, the result after one period of play. A strong start to the second stanza gave the hosts the lead. Hampshire would close the canto on a five to nothing run to trim the deficit to five points at 22 to 17 going into the halftime break.
Veteran mentor Dave Marshall lit a spark under his team during intermission and the Indians responded with a 19 to nothing run to start the third quarter. Bridgeport’s defense has been its calling card all year and it was the difference maker in this battle. The Tribe allowed just two third period points and just four more in the fourth quarter, running away with a 56 to 23 triumph.
Bridgeport also dominated the glass, holding a 45 to 10 advantage.
The Indians were led by Jack Spatafore, who netted a game high 17 points while dishing out four assists. Gavin Williams scored nine points and Anderson McDougal chipped in with eight points.
Carter Zuliani and Phoenix Sickles each nabbed 10 rebounds and scored six points a piece for the Indians. The Tribe took the overall top seed in Class AAA for the state tournament seedings.
The Flying Eagles hosted Lewis County in Class AAA boys regional action with a berth in the state tournament riding on the outcome.
It was a repeat offense as these two teams locked up in December at One Eagle Way. Robert C. Byrd earned a hard-fought win the first time around and the Minutemen had a little revenge on their mind. Lewis County jumped out to a 10 to eight lead in the first period.
Relentless pressure, however, from the Flying Eagles forced several Lewis turnovers in the second and third quarters combined. The home team would parlay these miscues into a 17 point lead.
The Minutemen hit three fourth quarter three pointers and cut their deficit to three points with two minutes remaining in regulation. The Flying Eagles would convert 10 of 16 free throws down the stretch to claim the 65 to 60 victory. Manny Holmes led four Eagles in double figures with 13 points, Logan Bryce (12), Camryn Neusaun (11), and Carson Bennett (10) all aided in the win.
In Class AA action, Doddridge County upended Liberty 54 to 36 in a game much closer than the score would indicate. The win put the Bulldogs in the state tournament while the loss put an end to the stories Mountaineer program.
Trailing 31 to 17 at the halftime break, Liberty came out firing in the third quarter. But Doddridge came out in the fourth frame with an intense defensive effort that limited Liberty in the last quarter. Baustin Bowers and Jackson Stark led the Mountaineers with 14 points apiece.
Liberty head coach Zak Bart deserves a great deal of credit for how he approached this season. All the credit in the world goes to this years edition for balling like there was no tomorrow. That is exactly what sports on the high school level is all about. Congratulations to Coach Bart and his team for doing it the right way!
That will do it for now! Until next time . . . take care and God Bless!!!
