MANSFIELD — Paxon Ediger tormented the Tygers again.
Ediger, Ashland’s senior sharpshooter, erupted for 38 points as the Arrows kept their Ohio Cardinal Conference championship hopes alive with a thrilling, 97-93 triple overtime win at Pete Henry Gym on Tuesday.
The first time the teams met in mid-December, Ediger broke Ashland’s single-game record with 44 points in a 70-65 win.
In two games against the Tygers this season Ediger has scored 82 points on 26-of-48 shooting (54 percent).
Prayer Answered
None of Ediger’s field goals was more impressive — or improbable — as the off-balance 3-pointer he knocked down to force a second overtime. He caught the ball on the wing, dribbled once to his right then bobbled the ball as Senior High’s Andrew Brooks applied heavy pressure. Ediger gathered the ball and hoisted a trey that fell through the rim as time expired, tying the game at 73-73.
“Down three, I just had to get a shot off,” Ediger said. “I threw up a prayer and it went in.”
Mansfield Senior had a foul to give and planned to foul Ediger on the floor, but once the ball was bobbled all bets were off.
“The only thing we maybe could have done was use the foul,” Senior High coach Marquis Sykes said. “That was the plan, but once the clock got down, it felt like … we didn’t need to foul at that point.
“He made an unbelievable shot — one of the best I’ve seen from the sidelines.”
Charity Stripe
Ediger didn’t score in the second overtime, but scored 12 of Ashland’s 14 points in the third four-minute OT session without a making a single field goal. He was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line to seal the victory.
“It’s just another free throw. We work on them all the time in practice,” Ediger said of his mindset as he toed the line. “I’ve just got to trust myself and trust the work I’ve put in.”
Spreading the Wealth
Gabe Baith backed Ediger with 31 points. The undersized point guard drilled 7-of-10 3-pointers, several of which were from well beyond the arc.
Garrett Davis had 15, while Reed Emmons added 11. The quartet of Ediger, Baith, Davis and Emmons accounted for 95 of Ashland’s 97 points.
Kaylen Brooks led Senior High with 29 points. Rashad Reed Jr. had 21, while D’Vontae Johnson added 13 and Andrew Brooks dropped 10.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game with that much balanced scoring and back-and-forth,” Ashland coach Jason Hess said. “There’s nothing I can say that gives that game justice.
“It was just an incredible high school basketball game.”
Conference Implications
Ashland improved to 10-6 overall and 9-2 in Ohio Cardinal Conference action. The Arrows are tied in the loss column with Dover (10-6, 8-2).
The loss all but eliminated Senior High (11-6, 7-4) from conference championship contention.
“At this point we’re playing for the best seeding we can possibly get for a tournament run,” Sykes said. “The season’s not over. Everything is not lost.
“It certainly hurts, but … we’re certainly not ready to give in on our season.”
