Edison State Men Play to a Decisive Victory in OCCAC Play

Article by Rob K. Winkle, Jr., B.A. | Photos by Reflections by Rob, LLC

Frigid temperatures outside did not stop the heat on the court from the Edison State Chargers on Saturday as they faced the Terra State Titans in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play. Terra State defeated the Chargers on November 29 and entered the game with a 6-8 (2-3) record. Kyle Vanover's Chargers would seek to stop a two-game home loss skid and gain ground in the tightening OCCAC conference standings, who entered the game at 7-8 (3-2) and a 5th place position in the conference.

Sophomore Jesse Dixon (Portsmouth West HS) would lead the charge with 22 points, including nine from downtown. The Chargers took the lead early and did not look back, leading 33-25 at the half.

Dixon would not be alone in providing heat on the court and to the fans on this arctic day outside, assuring the Charger gymnasium temperature remained hot. Daviyon McDonald (Dublin Jerome HS), the current OCCAC POTW (January 2–7) would follow him with 13 points scored and lead the team in total rebounds with 13, Ronald Smith (Thurgood Marshall HS) posted 12 points, Devonte Curry, and two-time OCCAC POTW Caleb Iheukwu scored 9 each. Ball handling and movement were executed teamwide, but Ihuekwu registered a team-leading six assists in the contest.

The Chargers would never trail in this game from the top, posting a final score of 77-60, improving to 8-8 (4-2) and maintaining fifth place in the OCCAC. This was a Chargers team playing on all sides of the ball. Ball movement was fluid, multiple players were crashing multiple rebounds, and key shots from all players contributed to this well-executed victory by the home team. The Chargers would pull a total of 37 boards, and 30 of those were on the defensive side and made good on extra points at the line, scorching an 81.8% free-throw percentage.

The Chargers will play the final of a three-game home stand on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 7:30 pm versus Owens CC as they look to complete the season sweep of that team in OCCAC play. Including Owens, the Chargers have 12 games remaining, 11 of which are OCCAC matchups. This team's position in the conference is far from decided; their all-around team play in this game sends that message.