“We knew athletically they were a little more gifted than us and we were hoping we’d be able to zone them a little bit and protect the paint, but they shot the 3 a lot better than we hoped,” Smith said. “They are who we thought they were. They looked like a better team that I think will compete for their league.”
Eddie Driskell (13), Nick Noble (12) and Drew Reckart (11) were the top scorers for Edgewood (2-1), with Noble and Reckart sinking a trio of 3-pointers apiece.
Noble converted all three of his bombs in the second quarter as the Cougars created a 38-16 halftime bulge.
“We ran what we run. The biggest thing was we hit shots,” said Noble, a junior guard. “I wouldn’t call us a 3-point shooting team, but we were getting good looks outside. As long as it’s inside out and good looks, our coach is fine with it.”
Edgewood coach John Thomas was OK with it until his troops showed a lack of offensive patience in the second half, helping the Mohawks trim a 40-16 deficit to 48-35 with 6:32 remaining.
Thomas made it clear to his players that he didn’t like that direction.
“I just thought they needed a friendly reminder,” he said. “These guys don’t ever get lazy. There was just a stretch there in the third and a little bit at the start of the fourth where they got in a little bit too much of a hurry on offense and did some ill-advised things that I don’t really care to watch. As they say, boys will be boys.”
Madison (2-2) played itself back to respectability in the second half, but the game was essentially over at halftime.
“Jeff Smith has a great program. He always has,” Thomas said. “It’s always a tough game, so getting a win here is a step in the right direction for us. I love these kids. They keep me young, even though I don’t look it. My job is to coach them the best I can. That’s what I owe them and the school and the community, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Dominant rebounding contributed to the Cougars’ success. They doubled the Mohawks on the glass, paced by Jake Paulsen (10 rebounds), Ethan McCarty (nine), Jake Kelly (seven), Noble (five) and Driskell (five).
Ben Paarlberg’s 14 points and four boards paced the Mohawks. Mason Whiteman added nine points, three assists, three steals and three rebounds, while freshman Grant Whisman added seven points and seven boards.
“We ended with something positive,” Smith said. “We had a lot of empty possessions in the first half, so we challenged the kids at halftime. We didn’t want to stay where we were at the half and let that define us going forward. We were a little more physical in the second half and competed better.
“Edgewood has the athletes to be good, and they’re skilled. They’re not just athletic. I knew that they were going to be a stretch for us. I told the kids this will be one of the best teams we’ll play all year.”
Edgewood hopes to be a title contender in the Southwest Ohio Conference, but dropped a 63-56 decision to two-time defending champion Northwest on Friday. The Cougars are also seeking their first winning record since 2009-10.
“We definitely have a good defense. We’ve got some athletes on the court, and we like to run around,” Noble said. “I think as long as we’re taking one step at a time and just looking toward the next game, we’ll be where we want to be.”
Both teams return to action Tuesday. The Cougars will host Franklin, while Madison travels to Milton-Union.
Edgewood 20-18-10-12—60
Madison 6-10-16-10—42
EDGEWOOD (2-1): Nick Noble 4 1 12, Drew Reckart 4 0 11, Jake Paulsen 1 1 3, Ethan McCarty 2 0 4, Eddie Driskell 6 0 13, Jake Kelly 1 0 2, Shane Garrett 1 2 5, Garrett Gabbard 1 3 5, Austin Scott 2 0 5. Totals: 22-7-60
MADISON (2-2): Mason Whiteman 4 0 9, Donovan King 1 0 3, Ethan Limon 1 1 4, Logan Gomia 1 0 2, Grant Whisman 1 5 7, Ben Paarlberg 5 4 14, Kevin Duritsch 1 1 3. Totals: 14-11-42
3-pointers: E 9 (Noble 3, Reckart 3, Driskell, Garrett, Scott), M 3 (Whiteman, King, Limon)
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