Bridgeport did an effective job of shutting down South Harrison's Mitch Gould Saturday night, and held on for a 46-43 win in the Class AA, Region II, Section 2 championship game.
Curtis Nuzum led a balanced Bridgeport attack with 15 points and seven rebounds in the defensive tussle at Lincoln High School.
Gould, the Big 10 scoring champ at 20.6 points a game, was held to just five. The 6-foot-5 senior didn't attempt a field goal until the 2:41 mark of the second quarter.
"We tried to front Gould, plus I had a lot of backside help," Nuzum said. "We also used a triangle chase that worked real well."
South Harrison (14-8) led 16-14 after the first quarter behind 10 points from Jerred Novotny. But Novotny picked up his third foul at the 5:47 mark of the second quarter, and the Hawks' momentum disappeared.
Bridgeport (12-9) opened the second half flat, and the Hawks produced a 6-0 run for 32-25 lead. Indians coach Gene Randolph then called a time out at the 3:57 mark, and his huddle must have included a note on defense.
South Harrison didn't score another field goal for more than eight minutes. By the end of the quarter, the Hawks advantage was sliced to 34-33.
Bridgeport gained the lead on a Greg Harrison 3-pointer with 6:21 left. It gave the Indians a 36-35 lead and they never trailed again.
"I'm so proud of these kids, especially the seniors (Gould, Robbie Shingleton). They have been an integral part of making this a quality program," South Harrison coach Shields said.
Bridgeport will face Ritchie County at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Robert C. Byrd for the Region II title.
n ELKINS 67, Lewis County 55: Four players scored in double figures to lead Elkins past Lewis County in Class AAA, Region IV, Section 2 final.
Drew Stalnaker scored 14 points to lead Elkins (8-14) while David Stottlemyer and J.D. Cooper each added 13. Cyrus Kump chipped in 11.
Nathan Silcott led Lewis County (3-20) with 22 points. Travis Randolph and Jacob Mulenax added seven each.
