Edison Gets Revenge, Beats Wakefield 77-57

Fans from both schools showed up in large numbers to Wakefield’s game Tuesday evening for the Warriors’ final home game of the season against the Edison High School Eagles. Edison’s 9 seniors were honored as family members escorted them to the middle of the court in as the crowd gave them a standing ovation. Edison’s players had revenge on their minds as Westfield defeated them 61-59 on January 14. Edison avenged their January defeat, cruising to a 77-57 victory last night.

Although not completely pleased with his team’s overall effort, Edison head coach Tony Henderson was grateful for the victory, “I’m happy with the win; I thought it was an ugly win. I don’t think we played particularly well. We have to understand that if the game is called a little closer than normal, we have to adjust to how the referees are calling the game. I think some things didn’t go our way and the guys got a little frustrated, both teams, but I’m happy to get a W,” remarked Henderson after the contest.

 The game started out looking as if it would be a close contest as the two schools battled tightly in the game’s first quarter of play. Wakefield won tipoff, with an immediate two points by Thomas Taylor. But Edison answered right back with bucket from Jerome Diggs. The teams’ trading of buckets continued, nearly one for one, until Edison pulled ahead in the last minute of the first quarter to lead 19-13.

Edison’s energy continued into the second quarter, with Diggs leading the way. Diggs, who had a 10 point effort in the game, was virtually unstoppable all evening while running the point to perfection. The senior had his way offensively, and even almost added a dunk to his warchest of achievements on the evening. Unfortunately for Diggs, his effort to dunk the ball was thwarted as he didn’t get enough air underneath him and failed to put the ball in the net. However, that was probably the only thing that didn’t go right for Diggs as he had one of his best all-around performances this season. Wakefield received a bit of a surge late in the second, and ended the half with a successful three-point attempt by Taylor.

After ending the first-half on a positive note, Wakefield was unable to sustain the momentum in the third. Edison put on an offensive clinic, playing a near flawless quarter of basketball, led by Tyrone Mackall. The Eagles went on a 13 point run to start the quarter. Wakefield’s offense went absent, unable to score a point until a little under three minutes remaining in the quarter. As the third quarter came to a close, Edison held a 16 point lead over Wakefield.

Wakefield’s defense surrendered 20 fourth quarter points to Edison as the Eagles continued their dominating performance. Although it was too late, Wakefield showed great pride in scoring 16 points in the final quarter. However, the team wasn’t able to send its 9 seniors out with a final home court victory as Edison beat them 77-57.

Edison’s Tyrone Mackall finished the evening with double double, scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Percy Davis also scored 16 points and Khalil Jabbie contributed with 13.

Wakefield was led by Deonte Murphy’s 22 points, while Thomas Taylor added 11.

 “It was pretty good. I couldn’t have done it without my team. We had to start it inside first so tried to pound it down to Big Mack and after that we went inside out. The guards did what they wanted to do, we got to run, play a little bit, but our big men were happy,” said Edison’s Jerome Diggs post-game.