For the second time in as many postseason games, Bridgeport turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter to pave the way for a victory.
 
This time it was 23-2 advantage against Hampshire in Thursday's Class AAA Region II co-championship game that led to a 56-23 victory. The win also locked up the top seed in next week's state tournament at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
 
The Indians will face No. 8 Elkins at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday in the opening round of the Class AAA portion of the state tournament. They are taking a record of 23-1 and a 20-game win streak to Charleston.
 
"I looked up at the end of the third quarter and I told (assistant coaches) Grant (Burton) and Bo (Kessler) they only scored two points in that quarter," BHS head coach Dave Marshall said. "You've heard me say that for years, I think how you start the third quarter sets the tone for the rest of the game.
 
"I thought that was more crucial tonight because hats off to Hampshire. They came out and they battled and they scrapped and they made everything hard early. I thought we were probably a little too jacked up early and that was evident with the nine turnovers in the first half.
 
"Our defense carried the day and that's the way it has to be."
 
In addition to the stingy defense, the Indians were also benefited from Jack Spatafore taking over the game offensively after halftime as he scored 10 of his game-high 17 in the pivotal third.
 
Up just six at 23-17, Spatafore scored his first bucket of the second half to extend the lead to eight. On the next possession, he buried a 3-pointer. Next was an inside basket to give him 10 for the game.


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