CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Fairmont Senior advanced to its second championship game in three years with a commanding 80-56 win over Bridgeport in Friday’s Class AA semifinal.
The game was supposed to be a tight battle between AA powers, but the third-seeded Polar Bears (23-2) dictated the tempo from the start.
“Bridgeport has a great athletics program with great tradition and they expect to win,” said Fairmont Senior coach David Retton. “But on the other end, we have great tradition as well in Fairmont Senior. These guys take great pride in what they do and how they represent their families.”
The Polar Bears finished with four players in double figures and had 19 assists on 32 field goals.
“These guys find the open man,” said Retton. “They read the matchups well and do a great job (of finding the open man). They’re not concerned about ‘me’—they’re concerned about their teammates. It’s been like that from day one.”
Fairmont Senior shot 47 percent from the floor and led 37-18 at the half, holding No. 2 Bridgeport (23-3) to just 6-of-20 shooting.
After falling behind by 22 midway through the third, Bridgeport cut its deficit down to 57-42 at the 1:01 mark of the third. Fairmont Senior, though, closed the quarter with a couple of forced turnovers and four straight points to take a 61-42 lead.
“It was just that quick,” Bridgeport coach Mike Robey said of the closing minute in the third. “I have to give Fairmont a lot of credit. Coach Retton did a great job with his kids and they were ready to play. They deserved to win and I wish them well in the finals.”
Bridgeport turned the ball over 16 times, leading to 22 Fairmont points.
The Polar Bears were led by Tavon Horton who scored 19 points. Horton and Darhius Nunn (13 points) combined for 16 assists in the win. Isaac Childers scored 14 points and Bryson Gilbert added 15 points (4 of 6 from 3) as well for the Polar Bears. Bridgeport was led by Nick Greely who finished with 29 points on 11 of 15 shooting in the loss.
The two teams had split a pair of regular season games prior to Friday’s semifinal.
Fairmont Senior last made the state title game in 2013, falling to Bluefield 63-43. The Polar Bears will face either Poca in Saturday’s championship at 2:30 p.m.
“We’re excited,” Retton said. “It’s been a goal from day one with these guys and something we felt was attainable. Now, it’s not just getting there, it’s wanting to compete at a high level to bring a title to Fairmont.”
Follow MetroNews High School Sports on Twitter and on Facebook.