The defense was destructive at Edgewood

By Rex Kirts

Dee Davis and Ben Stowell were nothing but destructive on defense at Edgewood Friday night.
Long-time Panther fan Bill Forney, Joey's grandpa, likes to yell "steal it" when the Panthers are on defense, and Davis and Stowell did just that. In the first half alone Davis had five steals as he picked the Mustangs' pockets.
Lots of the steals were quickly converted into layups.
Stowell had the primary job of defending Edgewood's fine point guard Alex Narey. Stowell did the job so well that Edgewood had trouble running its offense.
South's offense, meanwhile, encountered considerably less opposition and was able to function smoothly, almost effortlessly. One good pass to an open man was followed by another and then another.
"WE HAD 22 ASSISTS on our 32 baskets," South coach J.R. Holmes said. Ball movement was often spectacular, and people movement was good as always.
Altogether, it was just a neat performance by the Panthers (11-1) against a team they expected more difficulty against. The product was better than the final score of 71-52 indicates.
Once again Davis was worth more than the price of admission. In addition to his six total steals, he scored 26 points and had five assists.
Stowell had eight points and four steals. Joey Forney scored nine points and dealt out five assists. Spencer Turner had 13 points and seven rebounds and Desmond Marks eight rebounds and six points.
That's five people doing their fair share.
"Defensively we just took them out of a lot of things they wanted to do," Holmes said. "We had the one-foul rule on Narey - whenever someone got their first foul someone else guarded him. I don't think he was looking for his shot early.
"I thought our pressure pushed them out a little."
Edgewood showed no such pressure. The Mustangs committed only seven personal fouls, and the Panthers shot only one free throw.
HOLMES AGREED Davis totally disrupted Edgewood. "He's so quick. He anticipates well and sets guys up."
The bench had a couple of nice moments in this ball game. Michael Bower and Trae Washington made a few outstanding passes in the fourth quarter, and Dustin Utley scored five points.
The Panthers have another doubleheader weekend coming up. They travel to Martinsville on Friday and resume Conference Indiana play at home on Saturday against Franklin Central.
South, Franklin Central and Pike are tied for the conference lead with 3-0 records.