By By JEFF FISHER / Edwardsburg Argus
Eddies coach Jeff Kozinski put together a game plan that worked. Pressure defense, getting to the free-throw line, along with a patient offense, in amidst shooting only 29 percent from the floor and committing 27 turnovers, Kozinski seemed pleased.
"We are working on our patience and not forcing things," Kozinski said. "If we work the ball for a minute, we work the ball for a minute. I am trying to get our guys away from what basketball has evolved into with college basketball and North Carolina with 100 possessions. I'm fine with score as long as we're on the top at the end."
Eddies junior forward John Rosol connected on 7-of-8 free throws for seven fourth quarter points to help the hosts notch their first win of the young season, 44-35, over visiting Constantine, a member of the St. Joseph Valley Conference, in a non-conference tilt.
"He (Rosol) played pretty physical for us. He stepped it up tonight and did well. It was a good collective effort out of the team tonight," Edwardsburg Coach Jeff Kozinski said.
Both teams struggled offensively throughout the game. The Eddies held a slim 7-5 advantage after the first quarter and led 15-13 at the break.
Edwardsburg, (1-2-0-1 LAC), found some breathing room in the third quarter on a Brian Sevison reverse lay-up for a 22-14 advantage. Korey Moore drained a three-pointer in the fourth quarter to up their lead to seven (27-20).
With a minute remaining, the Falcons could only narrow the six-point lead (36-30), on a Brock Hesher basket-plus-foul-shot, but Rosol's free throws down the stretch proved to be catalyst that the Eddies needed.
Brian Sevison dropped in 15 points for the Eddies. Corey Moore added nine points. Kevin Stack finished with three points, but Stack was a defensive stopper snaring 12 rebounds for the hosts.
The Eddies welcomed back senior center Josh Karamalegos. He missed the Berrien Springs game due to a badly sprained ankle. Karamalegos blocked a shot in the second quarter, but on the Eddies next ensuing possession, he re-injured the ankle. He returned to the bench at the start of the third quarter, but was a spectator after that.
For Constantine, senior Shawn Martin was the main source of offense, sharing a game-high, 15 points.
"Both teams played awful good defense. We just couldn't hit any shots. We're shooting 50 percent on the year and come out and to shoot like we shot. We were just rushing our shots and not making the extra pass. We just have to learn from it," Constantine coach Mike Sellers said.
The Eddies return to the home court again on Friday, Jan. 5 against league leading Bridgman.
The Eddies junior varsity squad lost o the Falcons, 48-42.
CONSTANTINE 35
Shawn Martin 2 11-15 15, Brock Hesher 4 1-1 10, Spencer Bouwkamp 1 0-0 2, Luke Cartagena 1 2-6 4, Lance Cartagena 0 0-0 0, Jared McBride 0 0-0 0, Brandon Wolf 0 0-0 0, Blake Hesher 0 2-2 2, Matt Elmore 1 0-0 2, Roberto Nascimento 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 16-24 35
EDWARDSBURG 44
Josh Karamalegos 0 0-0 0, Jake Roberts 0 0-0 0, Brian Sevison 4 6-11 15, Nate Harness 1 2-2 4, Mike Rangel 1 0-0 3, Korey Moore 3 1-2 9, Kevin Stack 1 1-7 3, Brent Shuttleworth 1 1-2 3, John Rosol 0 7-8 7, Matt Boesler 0 0-0 0, Adam Young 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 18-32 44
Constantine 5 13 16 35
Edwardsburg 7 15 24 44
3-point baskets: Br. Hesher (C), Moore (E) 2, Rangel (E), Sevison (E). Total fouls: Constantine 26, Edwardsburg 20. Fouled out: Br. Hesher (C), Stack (E). Technical fouls: None. Record: Edwardsburg 1-2