Charlie keeps on chucking
The Eden Flyers ask a lot from Charlie Edgar.
Not only is the 17-year-old, Grade 12 student entrusted with running the offence, but the Flyers also require the diminutive guard to chip in scoring.
Edgar more than held his own on both fronts Tuesday as the Flyers topped the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs 61-29 in a consolation semifinal game at 57th Annual Standard High School Basketball Tournament held at Ridley College.
Edgar paced the Flyers with 15 points, including four from three-point range while also directing the offence.
Edgar, one of the few Flyers with travel basketball experience, is enjoying his role.
“In years past, I haven’t always been the first option so this year is kind of new for me but I like it,” he said.
Edgar was happy to find his range after slow start to the tournament.
“I didn’t have a great first couple of games so I wanted to come out and try to do the best I could,” he said.
Edgar said it’s imperative to stick to the game plan even when the ball won’t fall.
“Shooters have to shoot,” he said. “I’ve been shooting three’s the whole time I’ve been playing basketball so I just have to keep shooting.”
Eden coach Brian MacIssac is well aware of the demands he places on Edgar.
“Charlie has some experience. He played club ball as a younger guy and he’s a great guy,” MacIssac said. “He’s very dedicated. He missed one practice all of last year and he’s always ready to go. He’s got a great attitude, he always has a positive comment at the end of a time out.
“He shot the ball well and ran the offence well tonight.”
The Flyers jumped out to a 17-9 lead after one quarter and then built a 41-17 lead by halftime thanks to an effective press.
“We pressed in the second half of our previous game and it was pretty effective so we decided to go with a smaller, quicker lineup,” MacIssac said. “We thought that would maybe give us some jump. “We had a real slow start in our previous game so with the pressing we did well so we worked on it in practice yesterday and it seemed to help.”
The Flyers took the press off to start the second half and managed just six points in the third quarter.
“We were playing with a lead and we’re not used to that,” Edgar said. “We’re pretty inexperienced so that had a big part in it. We took our press off and that maybe affected the intensity of our team.”
Sir Winston coach Greg Loucks agreed the press was the difference.
“I feel bad because it’s my fault,” Loucks said. “We struggled with it. They have lots of range and speed. We have implemented some stuff but the kids are young and we have very little experience.”
The Flyers now meet the Greater Fort Erie Gryphons Friday in a rematch of last year’s consolation final won by the Gryphons.
“They have a couple of kids who are real strong so we’re going to try and shut them down,” MacIssac said. “I think they have some size on us too but we’ll work hard and we’ll see.”
Stats pack
Flyers 61 Bulldogs 29
Kully’s/No Limit Performance Player of the Game: Eden guard Peter Pilling with 12 points.
Eden Flyers: Edgar 15; Peter Pilling 12; Trent Thorpe 12; Luke Reinaerts 8; Kersey Robinson 6; Ashton Nieuwets 5; Carter McMaster 2; Austin Belanger 1.
Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs: Connor Johnston 8; Noah Garnace 6; Blake Gowling 6; Brendan Barker 5; Nick Beaudoin 4.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
