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Fast start leads ’Cats over Weir

Mike Mathison MAKING A MOVE — Edison senior Michael Speedy dribbles to the basket against the defensive effort of Weir’s Nick Krutilla during the first quarter of Tuesday’s game, won by the Wildcats, 76-58.

RICHMOND — Edison turned up the heat, and Weir did not handle it well at the start.

The Edison boys’ basketball team jumped out to a big lead early on against Weir, and the Wildcats did not look back en route to a 76-58 victory Tuesday night at home to sweep the season series.

“The start was the key, specifically on the defensive,” Edison (13-7) head coach Nate Moses said. “We were able to get our hands in the passing lane. Zac Kramarich is long, and he is able to get a lot of tips. That set the tone for us early. It helped our defense. It led to our success tonight, and if we want to continue to have success this season our defense is going to have to get better.”

The boys from Jefferson County led 23-4 at the end of the first quarter.

“They jumped on us early, and that is to their credit,” Weir (3-15) head coach Mike Granato said. “We called a couple of timeouts at 13-0 and 18-2 or whatever it was. You can’t start playing when it is 18-2.

“We battled back in the last three quarters. We played with heart and character, and we gave a good effort.

“Anything to do with focus or concentration tonight we did not have. We were 0 for 8 from the foul line, and we had 23 turnovers. Those 23 turnovers are more than we have had in our last three games combined.

“We are going to get back on the court tomorrow, and we are going to have to work harder. We have to understand the value of practice and game preparation.”

Joey Nave paced Edison with a game-high 22 points. Bryce Piatt and Connor Hyndman each collected 15 points and Dom Rogers added 10.

Matt Anderson delivered a team-high 20 points for Weir. Levi Mikula tallied 15 points and Keyshawn Faulks finished with 10 points.

Edison extended its advantage to 30-6 in the second quarter. Weir did not go away quietly, fighting back to 36-21, forcing Moses to call timeout with 1:01 before halftime.

The Wildcats led 41-23 at the break.

“We like to push the ball,” Moses said. “The first time we played them we knew we could run on them, and we know they can run as well. We sat back in a zone trying to slow them down.

“The easy baskets we got came as a result of our play on the defensive end. We were able to get deflections, and we were able to get stops.”

The hosts extended their lead to 59-31 in the third quarter, but once again the visitors battled back and closed to within 60-41 entering the fourth quarter.

“They beat us up and down the floor,” Granato said. “It was a group effort.

“We played better in the last three quarters. We did a better job of taking care of the ball. We just had too many unforced turnovers.

“I know our kids care. I know they play hard. We just did not play well in the first six or seven minutes of the game and that is to their credit.”

The Red Riders got as close as 17 points in the fourth quarter before another run by the Wildcats pushed the lead back up to 25.

“We knew they were not going to give up,” Moses said. “They made it interesting a couple of times, and that is to their credit. I also give us credit for battling back and not letting up. We were able to go on runs and extend the lead. We finished down the stretch.”

Edison will head to Meadowbrook Tuesday in the OVAC Class 4A semifinals.

“It means a lot,” Moses said about making the tournament. “It is something you always strive for as a program, and we are a new program. I am not sure if Edison has ever made it into the Final Four before or not. This is the first time we have done it in my five years. I am proud of the kids.

“We are going to continue to try and get better.

“We know it is going to be a challenge and we are looking forward to the challenge. We are looking forward to seeing how we match up against them. We are excited. We are excited for the opportunity.”

Weir visits Buckeye Local Friday.

The Red Riders’ pool play opponents were announced this morning.

Edison 76, Weir 58

Weir 4 19 18 17 — 58

Edison 23 18 19 16 — 76

WEIR (3-15): Hall 0 0-0 0, Haught 0 0-0 0, Gresko 0 0-0 0, Faulks 5 0-2 10, Hudacheck 1 0-2 3, Washington 1 0-0 2, Anderson 9 0-1 20, Riggs 0 0-0 0, Trupiano 0 0-0 0, Mikula 5 0-0 15, Krutilla 4 0-2 8, Buffington 1 0-2 2. TOTALS: 26 0-8 58. 3-Pointers: Mikula 3, Anderson 2.

EDISON (13-7): Sinicropi 1 0-0 2, Piatt 6 0-2 15, Speedy 2 0-0 4, Easter 2 0-0 4, Hyndman 6 2-2 15, Rogers 2 6-7 10, Nave 8 3-5 22, Kinney 0 0-0 0, Kramarich 1 2-4 4, J. McAfoose 0 0-0 0, Hanchin 0 0-0 0, Pugh 0 0-0 0, McBane 0 0-0 0, B. McAfoose 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 28 12-17 76. 3-Pointers: Piatt 3, Nave 3, Hyndman, Rogers.

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