PLYMOUTH— Expectations were very high. Plymouth rode a seven game winning streak and first place berth in the Firelands Conference. South Central in a tie for second and a chance to knock off the top dog and force a three way tie. The game also featured four of the top five scoring leaders of the Firelands Conference led by Big Red junior Tyson Beebee at 19.5 points per contest.
It seemed to be all over with in the first 5 minutes as the Big Red would go on a 14-0 run to start the game, and they would never look back. At the buzzer, the final score stood 68-43 in favor of the Big Red.
“I honestly think that first game was a wake up call,” said Plymouth coach Troy Keene of the early loss at Buckeye Central. “Our guys thought they could roll off the bus and walk in and beat anyone and that was not the case. These guys are practicing hard and are remaining focused.”
The Big Red had an NBA schedule’s pace this past week, playing four games in seven days, all leading to victory including important victories over Western Reserve and Colonel Crawford. “That Crawford game has been the best one I have been apart of in years. We were nose to nose the entire game and we were lucky enough to come out on top.”
The Plymouth Big Red started the game on a 14-0 run that was capped on by a high light reel dunk by junior Tyrell Edmiston that forced the Trojans to burn a quick time out. “We try to get Tyrell (13.1 PPG) and Beebee started early and we know that will help us be very successful.
“We have been preaching to get out in transition and play inside to outside and I thought we did a good job of that tonight. Hunter Bailey came out and played very well. We have been telling him that he needs to come out and play better on the offensive end and he has been these past four games.” said Keene. The Big Red would only miss one shot with in those first five minutes.
South Central hit a cold streak that they just could not seem to shake. The Trojans would shoot a miserable 14% from beyond the arc and 31% overall. The shots would not fall for South Central.
The Big Red, however; looked as if they were shooting the ball into an ocean all night connecting on 64% of their two point field goals and 57% overall. Edmiston connected on 12 of 15 shots for a monster night of 26 points nine rebounds and three assists including three highlight-worthy dunks.
The Trojans had a big night out of the Firelands Conference’s third leading scorer junior Dallas Yost at 13.4 points per game. He would finish with 15 points on the night and connected on 7 of 12 shots for a solid shooting night. Freshman Michael Ponchel chipped in with eight points. The fifth leading scorer in the conference in sophomore Brayden Wilhelm (12.9 PPG) was held to three points.
The Big Red had three players score in double figures led by Edmiston’s 26 points. Beebee matched his average with 19 points while tallying six rebounds and three assists. Bailey flirted with a triple double, putting up 10 points 11 rebounds and seven assists. Senior Kyle Branham chipped in six points for the Plymouth.
The loss drops South Central to 4-5 in the season with a 3-2 conference record. They will travel to Crestview next Friday for a very important Firelands matchup that is a must-win if they want to keep pace with the Big Red for the conference championship.
Plymouth improves to 8-1 and remain unbeaten in league play. They will travel to Monroeville next Friday to take on the Eagles (2-6) and winless in the conference.
One of this season’s hottest teams in Richland County shares its village with neighboring Huron County. Plymouth is split right down the middle and is recognized as a Richland County town because the Post Office.