(Felipe Carter (11) scored 12 points in Edison’s victory over Franklin in opening round action of the 2016 WABO Classic. Photo: RON KALASINKAS)
By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Forgive the Edison Tech boys basketball team if they showed signs of rust. When the Inventors took the court Tuesday night, it was the first time in more than 10 days they did so against an opponent.
Chaz McKinney led three in double figures, and Edison used a late run to defeat RCAC rival Franklin High, 78-69 in the opening round of the 2016 WABO Classic played at Webster Thomas High School.
“We haven’t played in what seems like forever,” Inventors head coach Jacob Scott said. “We’re nowhere near the middle of our schedule. It’s kinda the middle of the season, but we’re only four games in right now.”
Edison appeared to have shaken themselves free of any oxidation when they took an 11-point advantage into halftime and scored the first four points of the third quarter for their largest lead of the game.
The lead eventually dwindled to two before McKinney took charge.
“Chaz McKinney had a really good night, tonight,” Scott said. “He’s a combo guy. He can play down low. He can go on the wing. Just a really good all-around utility guy for us. He rebounds well and can push the basketball when he gets the rebound.”
An 8-2 Franklin run forced a time out from the Inventors bench.
VIEW MORE RON KALASINKAS PHOTOS HERE.
McKinney responded with a rebound and putback. After Edison’s defense forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, McKinney grabbed the loose ball and led Kaleb Richmond into the open court for a layup. Felipe Carter led McKinney for another bucket. McKinney converted another Franklin turnover into a basket when he found Richmond on the break again.
“He’s playing the four for us, but really he’s a guard,” Scott explained. “Sometimes I just have to remind him of that. I think he kinda gets caught up in the numbers.”
McKinney finished with 24 on the night. More importantly, he spearheaded an Edison squad which seamlessly switched between zone and man-to-man defenses to force six turnovers and a handful of rushed shots in the final 10 minutes of the game.
“The multiple defenses, trying to keep teams off kilter is important,” Scott noted. “That’s what we do. We thrive off defense. We should have a great defensive game, every game. We can control defense. We may not be able to control how many threes we hit or even free throws, though, I would like to, but defensively we should be able to get after it every single night.”
Edison’s Tristian Flowers scored 10 of his 16 points in the third quarter.
Carter added 12 for Edison.
Keeshman Hendrix led Franklin with 20.
Nate Ellison scored seven of his 10 during an 11-2 third-quarter Quaker run.
K’Ron Bernard connected twice behind the arc and scored eight of 13 in the third quarter. Akim Torres chipped in with 14.
Edison (3-1) will play Pittsford-Mendon in Wednesday’s championship game. The Inventors last played on December 16th – a loss to RCAC rival East. Mendon downed the host, Webster-Thomas, 55-48 in Tuesday’s second game.
Franklin will take on Thomas in Wednesday’s first game. A 5 pm tipoff is scheduled.
Leave a Reply