East girls reach season-high 90 points in win over Bridgeport
Jan. 26—PLEASANT VALLEY — The run of the undefeated continued Thursday night at East Fairmont High, as the East Fairmont girls basketball team hosted Big X opponent Bridgeport in the Hive.
Takeaways and rebounds told the story of East Fairmont's 14th straight win, as the Bees reached a season high 90 points, winning 90-41 over Bridgeport.
"It's definitely not a goal of ours," Senior Kenly Rogers said. "We're not out here chasing 90 every game. We're out here trying to be a team and get better at the things that we do. We shot the ball well, moved the ball around, got good looks and things were hitting, so it was a good night for us."
Rogers led the scoring effort for East Fairmont with 25 points, including 11 in the first quarter. Sophomore Emma Moore followed with 12, and Tarayn Myers and Brooklyn Shupe both had 11.
Contributing to the point totals were the 22 offensive rebounds East Fairmont managed to grab off the boards. Senior Kyleigh Fridley led the team as all six of her rebounds were offensive.
"It's something we're big on everyday," Fridley said. "Getting the second and third opportunities for more open shots. Get a rebound, pass back out, get another good quality shot, put more points up, spread it around."
Also helping the offense out, East Fairmont's defense forced 45 Bridgeport turnovers, with 15 happening in the second quarter. Sophomore Kailee Haymond nabbed six steals, while Myers had five and Senior Jalyn Jenkins had four.
"One of our goals is to rush them and do what we do to get them doing what they're not supposed to do," Myers said. "Get us the ball back as many times as possible. Our 1-v-1 was strong tonight."
Bridgeport scored the opening basket to take a 2-0 lead, but East Fairmont went on a 15-0 run and began to run away with it in the first quarter thanks to its press defense. Beckman's Bees flew away to end the first quarter up 25-14.
East Fairmont's defense kept up the aggressiveness and forced 15 turnovers in the second quarter. The Bees took a 20 point lead in the quarter and almost had a 30-point lead before halftime, ending the second up 49-21.
The Bees eclipsed the 30-point lead barrier and stretched it to a 35-point lead in the third quarter. Brooklyn Shupe grabbed six rebounds in the third, and East Fairmont entered the final quarter up 69-35.
Both East Fairmont and Bridgeport let the younger players on their teams get time on the floor in the fourth quarter. East Fairmont's group put on a showing of its own, getting the Bees to the 90-point mark in the 90-41 victory over the Indians.
Even though East Fairmont maintained its undefeated record, the mindset of the team remains one game at a time. The record isn't even a thought in the team's collective head.
"It's one game at a time," Head Coach James Beckman said. "Our first goal is to win a conference championship for the first time since 1996. That's door number one for us. We get that, then we got to sectionals. One game at a time, staying hungry, and our kids are staying the course."
East Fairmont returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 27 to host Capital in a non-conference matchup. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at East Fairmont High.
Reach Colin C. Rhodes at 304-367-2548
