Chargers Down Clark State in 75-57 Rival Victory

Article by Rob K. Winkle, Jr., B.A. | Photos by Reflections by Rob, LLC

Piqua, Ohio - Charger gymnasium had plenty of fans Wednesday night for an adjacent county OCCAC rival between Clark County's Clark State and Miami County's Edison State. The two schools are a mere thirty-seven minutes apart and even featured former high-school teammates from Tecumseh High School in Clark County facing off against each other, which had players from both Edison State and Clark State. Madi Moore and Morgan Board (Clark State) and Morgan Allen and Emma Garber (Edison State) spent time as teammates at Tecumseh High School but found themselves on opposing sides tonight.

The Chargers, again, with a point to prove that no one beats them in Piqua, came out strong, taking a 23-11 lead by the end of the first period of play. The Chargers were led by their three-time OCCAC Player of the Week freshman Allison Hughes (Parkway HS), putting her 15 points (2nd on the team) and an Edison State career record of 27 rebounds, more than doubling her (12.6 RPG) and completing a double-double. Sophomore Paxton Hunley (Miami-East HS) dropped 14 points. Freshman Abby Yukon (Graham HS) posted 12 following a career-high performance at Edison of 27 points against Miami University-Hamilton in their last effort, an out-of-conference loss. Hughes scored double-digits for the 15th in 21 appearances, and Yukon scored double-digits in 17 of 21 appearances this season.

Sophomore Makenzee Maschino (Troy HS), an ever-present defensive and ball control force for the Chargers, lit up the scoring numbers tonight as well, dropping 15 points to lead the team, recorded five steals and two assists, and played consistently and aggressive defense.

The Eagles of Clark State would never tie or lead this contest. Edison State led 23 - 11 after 1, 35-27 at the half, 58-41 after 3, and the final score of 75-57. To mention only the four numbers leaders would be remiss of the total team effort in this game. Ball control was consistent, defense was solid, and other players did plenty to contribute to this rival victory. Player of the Week earlier this season, sophomore Matea Bartell (Colerain HS) scored 6, freshman Morgan Allen (Tecumseh HS) scored 4, and freshman Aminata Dicko (Central Crossing HS) also scored 4. The Chargers' starting five scored at least once: Beverly, Hughes, Maschino, Hunley, and Bartel.

With tonight's win, the Chargers improve to 9-0 at Piqua, staying perfect at home, and their overall record increases to 17-4 (6-0), also remaining perfect in the OCCAC and maintaining their 1st-place position in the conference.

Their next game is on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in Piqua, the 2nd of a doubleheader versus second-place Lakeland, in which the men's team will play the first game at 1:00 pm. Their remaining regular season schedule is below. They have only six games remaining after this Saturday's Lakeland game; five are OCCAC matchups, and only one gives them a home-court advantage.

• Saturday, February 3rd, home vs. Lakeland at 3:00 pm
• Wednesday, February 7th at Hocking at 5:30 pm
• Saturday, February 10th, home vs. Cuyahoga (Sophomore Day) at 3:00 pm
• Thursday, February 15th, at Miami University-Middletown at 5:30 pm
• Wednesday, February 21st, at Cuyahoga at 4:00 pm
• Wednesday, February 28th, at Clark State at 5:30 pm
• Saturday, March 2nd, at Lakeland at 3:00 pm

To view or purchase available action photographs from Charger games, visit Reflections by Rob, LLC.