COLDWATER — It took a second half rally, but the Edwardsburg boys basketball team captured its second straight Class B District championship at Coldwater High School Friday night.

The Eddies (18-5) were down by nine at halftime, but outscored Wolverine Conference foe Sturgis 30-17 in the second half to pull out a 50-46 victory over the Trojans.

In what could be classified as somewhat uncharacteristic, the Eddies found themselves plagued by self-inflicted mistakes, spotty-at-best shooting and a match-up nightmare against Ryan Schuller (Sturgis’ 6-foot-10 center).

However, Edwardsburg was able to overcome its woes, much to the delight of its coach.

“I am just so proud of these kids,” Edwardsburg coach Steve Wright said.  “We didn’t play a great game, but they found a way to win. No one panicked when we got down. The kids just kept digging and working.”

The Eddies found themselves trailing 29-20 at the half, and by as much by eleven throughout the course of the game, but were able to weather the Trojans’ advances and avoid the upset with a newfound tenacious vigor on the defensive end in the second half.

“We wanted to speed up the game and try to get them out of rhythm,” Wright said. “If the game was going to be decided in the paint, we were in trouble, but by pressing them and taking the game to them, we were able to get the job done.”

Edwardsburg forced Sturgis into 15 second-half turnovers, capitalized on its speed and quickness advantages, and lulled the Trojans in to foul trouble with its aggressive playmaking to draw even, and eventually pull away, in the game’s final moments.

Once the dust had settled, Isaac Vite led Edwardsburg with 15 points, while his teammates Dante Razzano (11) and Derek Pierce (9), rounded out the balanced Eddie offensive attack.

Sturgis’ Jack Scheske led all scorers with 17 points, while Schuller added 14 points and 15 rebounds.

The Eddies will Benton Harbor (17-6) in the opening game of the Class B Regional for the second straight year. The Tigers defeated Edwardsburg 73-71 last year.

Tip-off for the second game of the doubleheader at Comstock High School is scheduled for 8 p.m. The first game at 6 p.m. pits Otsego (20-3) against Battle Creek Harper Creek (21-2).

 

EDWARDSBURG 50, STURGIS 46

EDWARDSBURG 50

Jackson Gaideski 6, Adam Kozinski 1, Derek Pierce 11, Joe Queener 4, Dalton Raymond 2, Dante Razzano 11, Isaac Vite 15. TOTALS: 12 20-31 50

Sturgis 46

Liam Adams 2, Andrew Airgood 1, Matt Polzin 8, Jack Scheske 17, Ryan Schuller 14, Tristen Stewart 4. TOTALS: 16 13-18 46

 

Edwardsburg                        14       20       31       50

Sturgis                                    13       29       34       46

3-point baskets: Edwardsburg 6 (Vite 3, Razzano, Pierce, Gaideski), Sturgis 1 (Scheske). Varsity records: Edwardsburg 18-5, Sturgis 12-10