NitroÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Eli Littlejohn (4) drives to the basket through Bridgeport defenders Gavin Williams (12), Sam Romano (15) and Aryon Dodd (5) during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship Runners-up Nitro Boys Basketball Team has their picture taken following their loss to Bridgeport 62-40 in the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Ashton Crouch (40) puts up a shot while Bridgeport's Jack Spatafore (20) tries to block and Phoenix Sickles (11) looks on during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro Head Coach Austin Lowe meets with his players before the start of the fourth quarter of the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game against Bridgeport Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Timmy Lovejoy (3) looks to pass while guarded by Bridgeport's Phoenix Sickles (11), Carter Zuliani (center) and Jack Spatafore (right) during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro Head Coach Austin Lowe (right) looks on as Nitro's Caden Brooks (22) shoots the ball over Bridgeport's Evan Kidd during the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Champions Bridgeport Boys Basketball Team has their picture taken after winning over Nitro 62-40 in the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
NitroÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Ashton Crouch (40) tries to shoot over BridgeportÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Carter Zuliani (10) and Phoenix Sickles (11)during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Click here to stay informed and subscribe to Herald-Dispatch.
Click #isupportlocal for more information on supporting our local journalists.
Learn more about HD ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
NitroÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Eli Littlejohn (4) drives to the basket through Bridgeport defenders Gavin Williams (12), Sam Romano (15) and Aryon Dodd (5) during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship Runners-up Nitro Boys Basketball Team has their picture taken following their loss to Bridgeport 62-40 in the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro Head Coach Austin Lowe slaps hands with his players following their loss to Bridgeport 62-40 in the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Derek Lowe (2) looks to shoot over Bridgeport defender Phoenix Sickles during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Ashton Crouch (40) puts up a shot while Bridgeport's Jack Spatafore (20) tries to block and Phoenix Sickles (11) looks on during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Collin Crouch (30) defends against Bridgeport's Jax MacDougal (14) during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro Head Coach Austin Lowe meets with his players before the start of the fourth quarter of the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game against Bridgeport Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Derek Lowe shoots over a Bridgeport defender during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Ashton Crouch (40) shoots over Bridgeport's Carter Zuliani (21) during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Timmy Lovejoy (3) looks to pass while guarded by Bridgeport's Phoenix Sickles (11), Carter Zuliani (center) and Jack Spatafore (right) during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro Head Coach Austin Lowe (right) looks on as Nitro's Caden Brooks (22) shoots the ball over Bridgeport's Evan Kidd during the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Bridgeport players hold the trophy after winning over Nitro 62-40 in the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Champions Bridgeport Boys Basketball Team has their picture taken after winning over Nitro 62-40 in the WVSSAC Class AAA State Boys Basketball Championship game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
NitroÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Ashton Crouch (40) tries to shoot over BridgeportÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Carter Zuliani (10) and Phoenix Sickles (11)during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Nitro's Derek Lowe (right) tries to get around Bridgport's Anderson McDougal (30) during their WVSSAC Class AAA Boys Basketball State Championship Game Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
CHARLESTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” The moment might not have been too big for Nitro. But Carter Zuliani probably was.
BridgeportÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s 6-foot-6, 230-pound pivot wreaked havoc under the basket against the Wildcats on Saturday, powering the Indians to a 62-40 victory in the Class AAA state boys basketball tournament championship game at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.
Zuliani led balanced Bridgeport in points (13), rebounds (10) and blocked shots (two) and his tenacity set the tone early as the Indians pounded out a 38-19 halftime advantage.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI always try to play physical,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Zuliani said, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œand out-physical the opponent.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
The win handed top-seeded Bridgeport (26-1) its third title in boys basketball (following yet another football crown last fall) and allowed the Indians to close the season with 23 straight victories. They also avenged their lone loss, a 52-44 setback at Nitro on Dec. 21.
Nitro (19-7), the No. 3 seed, was appearing in the final for the first time in program history.
Balanced scoring again ruled the day for the Indians, as Jack Spatafore added 12 points, Landon Sanders tallied 10 and tournament MVP Phoenix Sickles produced nine to go with seven rebounds. The Indians also went 7 of 15 on 3-pointers. But defense was definitely the backbone for Bridgeport.
Nitro shot just 37.2% from the floor and became the 24th opponent the Indians held under 50 points in a game. In five postseason games, Bridgeport allowed only 31 ppg.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s the reason we put such a heavy emphasis on defense,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Indians coach Dave Marshall said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s how we approach everything. Defense carries come tournament time. It was far from our best offensive game the last two games, but defense carries us.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
Nitro didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t beat itself throughout most of the game. Even trailing by 17 points at halftime, the Wildcats had committed just two turnovers and were 6 of 6 at the foul line.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe got some decent looks the first quarter,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Nitro coach Austin Lowe said, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œbut were 1 of 10 (on 3-pointers) at halftime. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ We didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t get clean looks. They do a good job pushing you out. And when youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got that guy inside, it makes a difference.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
Zuliani, who is bound for West Virginia University to play football, put the hammer down after Nitro had shaved a 22-point deficit to 16 on a pull-up jumper by Ty Stephens with 6:39 remaining.
In a span of 1 minute, 44 seconds, Zuliani threw down a baseline dunk off a feed from Gavin Williams, made a free throw after collaring another rebound and found Spatafore for a 3 to bump BridgeportÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s lead back to 57-35.
Lowe was impressed by BridgeportÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œphysicalityÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ in general, and Zuliani in particular.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHats off to Bridgeport,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Lowe said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey came out and took it to us today. They were ready. My guys, we battled, but at the end of the day, they got up inside us and were a little more physical than we expected.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
The Indians outrebounded Nitro by a whopping 39-15 count, with Bridgeport grabbing more offensive rebounds (16) than the Wildcats had overall. Zuliani, again, led the way with six offensive boards for Bridgeport.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe officiating was different than the first couple games,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Lowe said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey let us get after it. But if you told me theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d outrebound us by 24, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d have said youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re crazy. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a recipe for disaster. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re usually pretty good in the paint.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
Lowe also said that Zuliani changed a lot of NitroÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s shootersÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ minds when they got in the painted area of the foul lane.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œOne hundred percent,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Lowe said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t think heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d give us problems he gave us, but he did. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a monster ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ we didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t have an answer for it. They really took it to us in the paint. (A deficit) of 12 points in the paint ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” usually thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s our (modus operandi). They took it away from us.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
About the only issue for Zuliani on Saturday was a cut on his chin in the second quarter that drew blood, causing him to change his jersey from No. 21 to No. 10 for the second half.
Zuliani and other Indians starters departed with 1:53 left and Bridgeport ahead 58-37, receiving hugs from their coaching staff.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt all came down to the buy-in,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Marshall said, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œin that weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve had from this group of seniors especially. When I say buy-in, itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not just them ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been their parents, their grandparents ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ and it shows itself on the court.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve done everything weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve asked and then some ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ they understand that this was a business trip and what we were down here for.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
Nitro was led by 16 points from Ashton Crouch and 11 from Stephens. The Wildcats lose three senior starters.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThese seniors won a lot of basketball games the last three, four years,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Lowe said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey laid the foundation and set expectations for coming back here next year. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll keep laying the foundation brick by brick to try and get back next year.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
Stephens, a junior, said the Wildcats can take satisfaction from putting Nitro on the map with its first-ever run to the state title game.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œJust motivated for next year,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Stephens said, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œto come back stronger and keep working.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™
NITRO 6 13 10 11 ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” 40: Stephens 5-11 0-0 11, Poniatowski 1-1 0-0 2, Lowe 1-12 0-0 2, T.Lovejoy 0-1 0-0 0, A.Crouch 6-10 4-5 16, Littlejohn 0-0 0-0 0, Cole 0-1 0-0 0, Thomas 0-0 2-2 2, A.Lovejoy 0-1 0-0 0, Brooks 1-1 0-0 3, C.Crouch 2-5 0-0 4, totals 16-43 6-7 40
BRIDGEPORT 17 21 10 14 ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” 62: Sanders 3-8 1-2 10, Sickles 2-6 5-6 9, Spatafore 4-9 2-2 12, Zuliani 4-10 5-7 13, A.McDougal 1-2 0-0 2, D.Williams 3-4 0-2 6, Dodd 0-0 0-0 0, G.Williams 3-4 0-0 7, J.McDougal 0-1 0-0 0, Romano 0-0 0-0 0, Holcomb 0-0 0-0 0, Church 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 1-1 0-0 3, Kidd 0-0 0-0 0, totals 21-45 13-19 62
3-point goals ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Nitro 2-17 (Stephens 1-6, Lowe 0-8, Cole 0-1, A.Lovejoy 0-1, Brooks 1-1), Bridgeport 7-15 (Sanders 3-8, Sickles 0-1, Spatafore 2-2, G.Williams 1-2, J.McDougal 0-1, Brown 1-1)
Rebounds ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Nitro 15 (A.Crouch 3, C.Crouch 3), Bridgeport 39 (Zuliani 10, Sickles 7, A.McDougal 7)
All-Tournament team ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Bridgeport: Landon Sanders, Carter Zuliani, Anderson McDougal; Nitro: Collin Crouch, Ty Stephens; Fairmont Senior: Trea Cumberledge; Shady Spring: Jalon Bailey
MVP ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Phoenix Sickles, Bridgeport; School Spirit Award: Shady Spring
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.