Port Clinton starts fast in win over Edison

PORT CLINTON — Port Clinton forward Landon Leis is known to many for his play as a quarterback on the football team. He happens to be a pretty good basketball player, too. The Redskins' sophomore scored a game-high 25 points, including 14 in the second half. Leis seemed to make a play whenever his team needed it, helping Port Clinton defeat Edison, 60-42, on Friday in Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division action. Leis connected on a 3-pointer to open the scoring and give the Redskins (8-4, 2-3 SBC Bay) the lead for good. He scored nine points in the first quarter as Port Clinton took a 15-2 lead into the second quarter and never looked back. The Redskins outscored the Chargers (3-7, 1-4) 13-7 in the second quarter to go into the break ahead 24-9. The closest Edison came for the rest of the game was on two separate occasions — at 36-26 late in the third quarter and 43-33 early in the fourth period. After Edison guard Cole Leimeister scored to cut the deficit to 43-33, the Redskins went on a 7-0 run, getting baskets and free throws from Leis, Jonny Peck and Grayson Jones. When Chargers forward Coltyn Meagrow finished off an and-1 to cut the deficit to 36-26, Port Clinton went on a 7-3 run. But after the game, all Leis and Port Clinton coach Jared Rhode wanted to talk about was the play of the defense. Rhode credited Jones for holding Leimeister in check and Peck for keeping Meagrow from doing too much damage. Meagrow scored 17 points and Leimeister finished with nine, combining for 26 but far below their combined average of about 41 points per game. "Grayson Jones did a phenomenal job on Leimeister," Rhode said. "Jonny did very well guarding Meagrow. We watched a lot of film on them. We wanted to be physical, within the rules, and we will continue to bring that energy." Rhode also credited his staff, which includes Jimmy Baumer, R.J. Basil and legendary assistant coach Don Drusbacky. "We got off to a great start defensively," Rhode said. "Our staff put a good game plan together, and our kids executed it to a 'T.' " Leis talked about the Redskins' defense as well. "We were able to slow down Leimeister and Meagrow," Leis said. "The reason we won was because of our defense." Leis had three teammates score at least eight points — Martez Wilson (9), Jones (8) and Peck (8). "I feel like we were very disciplined on offense," Leis said. "We shared the ball really well. I think we've improved a lot from last season. Our chemistry is really good." Rhode also talked about the team's play on offense, which had to replace the production lost due to Zach Speer being out. "We ran a lot of stuff through Landon," Rhode said. "Our guards did a nice job of getting him the ball, and he finished." Edison coach Dan Campana talked about his team's play. "I think our lack of shooting the ball well transitioned to our play on defense," he said. "It just affected our defense (negatively)." The Chargers had won three in a row after starting the season 0-6. Now, they'll face Danbury (2-9) on Tuesday on the road. "It's about how we're going to respond," Campana said. "We were flying high after the last three games. We have two big games next week." EDISON (3-7, 1-4) Cole Leimeister 1-7—9, Kyle Robinson 0-5—5, Kellen McDonnell 1-0—3, Coltyn Meagrow 7-2—17, Wesley Seel 2-0—4, Connor Goodwin 2-0—4. Totals 13-14—42. PORT CLINTON (8-4, 2-3) Grayson Jones 3-2—8, Martez Wilson 3-3—9, Trey Armendariz 3-0—6, Jonny Peck 4-0—8, Derek Abernathy 2-0—4, Landon Leis 11-2—25. Totals 26-7—60. Edison 2 7 18 15 — 42 P. Clinton 11 13 15 21 — 60 3-point FGs: (E) McDonnell, Meagrow; (PC) Leis.