Chargers Electric at Home, Defeat Lorain County

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

On Saturday, January 27, 2024, the Edison State Chargers would come into the game 9-9 overall and 5-2 in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC). Their opponent, Lorain County Community College, played them tough in a one-point win by the Chargers earlier this season, as the Chargers looked to improve their home streak to 3-0 and rebound from a one-point loss to Miami University-Hamilton in their last game.

The Chargers' offense was a high-powered weapon in this game, loud enough to be heard 37 miles away in Springfield by Wednesday's opponents, Clark State Community College, Edison State's closest in-distance OCCAC member school. Every Charger that saw time except for one scored (official stats not available at press time; story will be updated). The Chargers' leading scorer was their two-time OCCAC Player of the Week winner this year. Sophomore guard Caleb Iheukwu (Westerville North HS) scored 21 points and led in steals with 4. Sophomore shooting guard Devonte Curry (Briggs HS) had five long-range bombs per his usual and posted 19 points. Freshman forward Tyler Weathington (National Trails HS) broke double digits with ten, scoring a career-high at Edison State, and had several rebounds and assists. Freshman Jayden Jones (Marion Harding HS) also hit an Edison State career-high with 11 points in a breakout game.

This game was a selfless all-around effort by the Chargers. Relatively quiet on the scoreboard was two-time OCCAC Player of the Week freshman Daviyon McDonald (Dublin Jerome HS); however, he was not completely quiet. Dominating the boards with a team-leading 10, a team-leading two blocks, and a team-leading four assists, posting impressive numbers regardless of his below-average 5 points(14.1 avg). McDonald is one example of a player on this team who is usually ever present near the top of the scoring charts filling the roles where it was needed as the game dictated.

Freshman Sean Caldwell (James N. Gamble Montessori) was another key performer in this game, posting 7 points and lending his hands on ball handling. His assists also made his presence known by the Commodores.

Curry, with his 19 total points, put up 10 of those in the first half, which propelled the Chargers to the 41 - 25 halftime lead, which was never in jeopardy. This game was controlled in all aspects by the Chargers, from the tip to the final whistle.

Freshman forward Anthony Hudson (Wayne HS) saw some playing time and made the best of it, dishing two assists and scoring six. The Chargers would maintain control even through a 32-point performance by Lorain's Tavion Pride. The overall team performance was not enough to overpower these supercharged Chargers on this day, who would win with a final score of 91-65. Pride would also receive a technical foul at 17:41 remaining in the second half. Several of the women's team were at this game to support their male counterparts, including Makenzee Maschino, whose father, Craig Maschino, is an assistant coach for the men's squad.

The men improve their overall record for the season to 10-9(6-2), holding steady at third place in the OCCAC. They have nine games remaining of which eight are OCCAC matchups. Sophomore night has also been announced for the men as February 24 against Community Christian (Mich.), their only non-OCCAC game remaining.

The men's and women's squads are in action Wednesday as they defend home court against neighboring Clark State Community College. Tip-off for the men's game is at 7:30 p.m., with the women playing first at 5:30 p.m. Come out and witness the Clark-Miami County shootout. Their remaining home games after Clark State are:

• February 3, 2024, 1:00 p.m. vs Lakeland (Currently leading OCCAC)
• February 10, 2024, 1:00 p.m. vs Cuyahoga CC
• February 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m. vs Bryant & Stratton (Ohio)
• February 24, 2024, 1:00 p.m. vs Community Christian (Mich.) Sophomore Night