RICHMOND — The Edison boys’ basketball team delivered the decisive run against Jefferson County foe Catholic Central.

The Crusaders ripped off an 8-0 run to pull within two points in the third quarter, however, the Wildcats countered with a 12-0 spurt of their own and did not look back en route to a 63-49 victory Tuesday night out at the Edison Fieldhouse.

“It was a game of runs,” Edison (2-1) head coach Nate Moses said. “I thought early on we came out a little flat in the first quarter, but then we picked it up defensively and we got some easy buckets. We were down 11-3 or something like that, but it all started on the defensive end. We got after it, and we got some easy baskets and that really helps. 

“We knew they were going to make a run. I was happy with how our kids responded and how we were able to push the lead back up. It all starts on the defensive end. That is going to be the key for us all season. We have to keep getting better on defense. If we do that, we will be OK.”

After falling behind by 14 in the fourth, the Crusaders closed to within nine points, but they were not able to get any closer as the Wildcats responded and sealed the deal.

“I thought they outhustled us and out-physicaled, and we did not adjust mentally,” Catholic Central (1-1) head coach Don Ogden said. “At the end of the game, we certainly had to take risks. We did a good job initially, but their scheme to break the press paid off.

“They are a senior laden team. They have played together. That is what happens when their style of play is better than our style of play. Hats to them for getting the win tonight.

“We just have to regroup. We have to learn how to play as a team. We have to get game experience.”

Offensively for Edison, Jackson McBane ended up with a team-high 18 points and Bryce Rogers recorded 17.

“We watched them play Strasburg,” Moses said. “It was an exciting game. It was an exciting end. We knew they were on a high. They played zone. Rahim Mitchell is a really-good basketball player. He is a really-good athlete. I know he is not 100 percent right now. 

“That is a good team. They are well coached. I enjoy coaching against Coach Ogden. It has been awhile since we coached against each other. 

“We are excited about winning our home opener. I really appreciate the defensive effort from our younger guys. Dylan Long is a sophomore. He started his first game against Indian Creek. He’s playing because he is playing good defense. 

“Our first two games, we outrebounded our opponents. I don’t know what the numbers were tonight. I am proud of the guys. We want to continue to get better. We are getting after it. It is the little things. The kids are giving a great effort. I am happy for our seniors. This was their last first home game of the season. It was the home opener. The kids are excited.”

For Catholic Central, Kolbe Krupp collected a game-high 24 points, while Mitchell tallied 10. 

“It was back-and-forth,” Ogden said. “I think they get it up to nine, and then we would make a basket and then they would answer right back. At the end of the game, we had to do some things out of desperation. In the fourth quarter when there was a lot of time left, we were making some shots. Then as time ran down, we had to take some chances.”

The Wildcats built a 38-28 advantage in the third only to see the Blue-and-Gold battle back and close to within two points thanks to an 8-0 run. The boys in blue had an opportunity to pull closer, however, they were unable to convert an and-1 opportunity, and the victors ran off the next 12 points to extend their advantage to 50-36 in the fourth.

The victors led 12-11 at the end of the first, and they increased their advantage to 31-28 heading into the locker room at halftime. The hosts built their advantage out to 46-36 entering the fourth.

“I’m really happy with the effort from our kids,” Moses said. “They are excited. It was an exciting night.”

The win was the first for Moses inside the Edison Fieldhouse. The team played in the old gym inside the high school during Moses’ previous tenure as head coach.

“It is my first win in the new gym,” Moses said. “It feels good.

“I know we did not shoot the ball well, but that’s the game of basketball. Sometimes, you just don’t shoot the ball well. I don’t know what the numbers were off the top of my head. We got it done on the defensive end, and that led to some easy baskets. 

“It is my first win in the new gym. It’s special. Any win is special. Winning is not easy. Basketball is not easy. We want to continue to get better. We want to continue to improve on both ends of the floor.” 

Edison is scheduled to play Southern Friday night on the road.

“It is their first game,” Moses said. “We are looking forward to it. We want to get better. This is another opportunity for us to get better. It is another road game. That is OK because we are going to be on the road a lot this season.

Catholic Central is slated to play Wellsville Saturday night at home inside the Mickey Barber Gymnasium.

“They are another good team,” Ogden said. “They are fast. They’re athletic. We have to correct our mistakes and move on.”

Edison 63, Catholic Central 49

Catholic Central 11 17  8 13 – 49

Edison                12 17 15 18 – 63

CATHOLIC CENTRAL (1-1): Fabbro 1 2-2 4, Bryan 0 0-0 0, Mitchell 4 1-2 10, Cherepko 1 2-2 4, E. Krivoniak 1 0-0 3, Krupp 10 1-2 24, Fink 0 0-0 0, Hough 2 0-2 4. TOTALS: 19 6-10 49. 

EDISON (2-1): DeGarmo 3 1-2 7, D. Long 1 0-1 2, Rogers 5 4-6 17, Fuller 0 0-0 0, Farnsworth 0 0-0 0, K. Long 2 1-4 6, Rambsel 1 0-0 2, Filburn 3 0-0 6, Wiley 2 0-0 5, McBane 9 1-2 18. TOTALS: 26 7-15 63.

3-POINTERS: Catholic Central (Krupp 3, Mitchell, E. Krivoniak); Edison 5 (Rogers 3, K. Long, Wiley)