PLYMOUTH - It might have been since 2008 since LaVille and Plymouth last played on the hardwood. "I was chomping at the bit to compete," said Lancer head coach Michael Edison about the return trip to Plymouth High School Friday. "It really doesn't ever matter to me who we play. I just want us to do our best, compete to the best of our ability and find a way to get a victory." Part of the present LaVille Basketball program, are also Michael's son, Lance, and his father, Jack, for whom the Plymouth Gymnasium was renamed earlier this season to Jack Edison Court. Friday, the neighborhood rivals went back and forth for the entire contest before PHS managed a 44-40 victory. LaVille took narrow leads to close the first quarter (7-6) and head into intermission (15-10) before a nail-biting final quarter. After halftime, LHS increased the gap to 22-12 with just under 5:30 remaining in the third period. The Pilgrims proceeded to go on a 13-3 run to narrow the Lancer lead to 26-25 at the 1:50 mark. A big basket during the Plymouth burst came from guard Dan Nguyen, who swished a 3-pointer from the left wing. LaVille closed the period clinging to a 29-27 lead, but the momentum clearly shifted to the home team. The back and forth continued, with Coach Michael Edison's club taking a 35-34 lead following a Ryan Maenhout basket with just under three minutes left. Plymouth put together a 38-35 lead after Nguyen hit a couple free throws and Kylen Ellery's bucket with about 1:20 remaining. Parker Bagley increased the Pilgrim lead to 39-35 with just under a minute left, but Lance Edison hit a jump shot from near the left elbow to close it to a one possession game at the 50.3 second mark. LaVille forced a turnover on Plymouth's next possession, giving the Lancers a chance to tie the game or take the lead. Lance Edison had two looks on the next LHS possession. An open look from the right corner was just short, but Liam Amor recovered the weak side rebound. Lance then circled back to the top and his next shot was challenged at the top of the key and Plymouth grabbed the defensive rebound. Nguyen was fouled again and hit both free throws to increase Plymouth's lead to 41-37. As the clock wound down to under 10 seconds, Lance Edison hit a contested trey over the outstretched arm of 6'-2" Kylen Ellery to close the Plymouth lead to 41-40 with 6.1 seconds left. Nguyen was fouled again, hitting one of two free throws for a 42-40 advantage. LaVille was able to get a quick half-court pass inbounds and called their final timeout. On the ensuing pass, the Lancers tried a cross-court pass, but the ball sailed out of bounds. "We had different chances down the stretch and just didn't execute the best," said Michael Edison after the game. "Our guys played extremely hard and gave it their best." Lance Edison led all scorers with 23 points, while Andre Gonzales, Ryan Maenhout, and Braedy Foster chipped in five points each. Nguyen had 15 points and Parker Bagley added for Plymouth. We asked Michael Edison about the return for him and his family to Plymouth High School for a game. "I don't know that I ever fully soak in the moment as much as I should because I'm so intent on playing the game that I don't see everything else going on in the background," explained the Lancer coach. "Sure, it was a nice reunion for my dad, but I think he would've given up the reunion just to have gotten the victory. My dad is one of the most voracious competitors I know and he doesn't take to losing very well. That is one of many things that I took from him." LaVille is 14-10 heading into the 116th IHSAA State Basketball Tournament. The Lancers open play against rival Bremen at 6pm in the Class 2A LaVille Sectional #34 opener on March 3. The nightcap pits Knox against Winamac immediately following Plymouth 44 LaVille 40 At Plymouth Score By Quarters LaVille 7 8 13 11 - 40 Plymouth 6 4 17 17 - 44 LaVille - Cameron Brown 0, Caleb Skiles 0, Andre Gonzales 5, Griffen Smith 0, Lancer Edison 23, Aaron Keb 0, Liam Amor 2, Ryan Maenhout 5, Braedyn Foster 5. Totals 11 11-16 40 Plymouth - Kylen Ellery 6, Garyson Terrone 4, Parker Bagley 11, Kyleb Ellery 4, Dan Nguyen 15, Parker Wolfe 4, Hudson Davis 0. Totals: 10 20-24 44 3-point field goals: LaVille 3 (Edison 2, Foster), Plymouth 1 (Nguyen) Total fouls (fouled out): LaVille 21 (Gonzales) Plymouth 16 (none) Team Records: LaVille 14-10, Plymouth 8-14 Next game: Bremen at LaVille IHSAA Sectional #34 March 3, 6pm JV score: Plymouth 53, LaVille 18