INDIANAPOLIS--Two stars headlined the match-up between Castle and East Chicago Central, Blake Simmons and Hyron Edwards. Friday night, they proved that they are worth the billing. The battle between Edwards and Simmons provided great entertainment from start to finish.
Blake Simmons was in "attack mode" right away for Castle. He looks a step quicker this season and has a little bit more elevation when he jumps. Simmons put 8 points on the scoreboard in the first period. Hyron Edwards was scoring well too. He struggled last week against Broad Ripple. Edwards scored 10 in the first quarter.
The game was close throughout. Simmons and Edwards played well all game, but they got help. Castle's Devyn Johnston stepped up in the second quarter. Johnston is a quick point guard and consistently got to the basket. Damien Jefferson provided a spark for East Chicago. Jefferson is just a freshman, but has a chance to join Edwards in the high-major recruit category.
East Chicago led by 1 with 45 seconds left in the game. Fittingly the play that decided the game involved Simmons and Edwards. Edwards got the steal off a Simmons pass. He scored after going coast to coast, pushing the lead to 3. Edwards would add another late lay-up to officially seal the game in East Chicago's favor.
Hyron Edwards had a game-high 32 points including 12 points in the fourth quarter. Blake Simmons finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Castle 16 17 17 11---61
East Chicago Central 17 17 15 17---66
Castle: Simmons 22, Hunter Daniels 7, Kyle Aiton 8, Bryson Jenkins 10, Devyn Johnston 12
ECC: Edwards 32, Jalen Alston 10, Tre'Quan Burnett 6, Jeremiah Ochoa 3, Anfernee Brown 9, Damien Jefferson 7
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