Tall order at center court fo Edison and Norwalk St. Paul

Saturday night's boy's basketball matchup between St. Paul (7-3) and Edison (9-2) is going to present a tall order for both teams...literally.

"Matchups like this keep you honest with yourself, and where you are as a player," Edison senior center Chris Baldwin said.

And while Baldwin could have been referencing the overall matchup of both teams, he was instead talking about the player who will be face-to-face with him at opening tip-off Saturday night in St. Paul's Steve Mutchler.

Checking in at 6-foot-8, Baldwin, who averages 16.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, rarely sees anyone not only come close to his stature in height, but also statistically.

That will all change Saturday when the 6-foot-6 Mutchler comes to town averaging 19.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.

"It has been in the back of my head since the beginning of the season," Mutchler said of facing Baldwin. "He will be toughest competition I'll face all year long, and as big and tall as he is, he is also pretty much the be biggest I've seen all year. I'm excited to face him."

Someone as tall as Mutchler is a welcome addition to the court for Baldwin.

"I really try not to think about it during the season, but when it actually happens it's nice to go against someone that is similar in size to you," Baldwin said. "You have to take advantage of every opportunity in a situation like this, especially to improve yourself as a player."

Mutchler welcomes the matchup, but admitted he may be putting a little pressure on himself in facing Baldwin.

"I've been thinking about that too," Mutchler said of the pressure. "Someone like him can make my game better, it makes it more exciting, but it will also be tougher to get my season averages so I have to put a challenge on myself to have typical night with points and rebounds."

Both teams are in action Friday night within their respective conferences, as St. Paul hosts Western Reserve (7-6) in the Firelands Conference while Edison hosts Oak Harbor (2-10) before the much anticipated clash Saturday.

Both players agreed the game should be a good one that benefits both teams as well.

"We're looking forward to it," Baldwin said. "St. Paul is a very good team this year and it will definitely be a game can help us down the stretch."

Said Mutchler, "We have been real excited since we started talking about playing them. "I think which team shoots outside better may win because the paint will be full with Baldwin and I. There is a good chance it will come down to the outside shooting and whoever shoots better will probably win."

Baldwin admitted his friendship with Mutchler hasn't been anything more than a casual hello, but also believes while the shooters may prove to be the difference in the outcome, he cautioned the matchup with his counterpart will play a role.

"It could be the shooter's that decide things," he said. "But it very well could be settled down low with us too."