Ingram eyes one more title run

EDINBORO, Pa. -- Curtis Ingram of Youngstown has hopes for another Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship and NCAA Division II playoff appearance as he nears the end of his college basketball career at Edinboro University.
A 6-foot-3 senior guard in his second season with Edinboro after transferring from Wofford (S.C.) College, Ingram hopes to help the Fighting Scots to their third straight PSAC championship and NCAA postseason.
The Mooney High graduate has been a standout on both ends of the floor for Edinboro (18-8 8-3 PSAC West). He was averaging 12.8 points per game, third-best on the team, and usually has been successful guarding the opponents' top offensive player.
In fact, Ingram contends that strong defense has been the key to Edinboro's success this year.
The Fighting Scots clinched a home game in the first round of the PSAC playoffs Tuesday.
"Our defense has really picked it up this year. Last year, it was really good but this year it is even better," Ingram said. "We have been able to shut down other teams. We always have been able to get our offense going because we have so many weapons."
Key to defense
Ingram has been the centerpiece of that defense.
"I am usually assigned to guard the other team's best offensive player," he said.
Ingram loves that he can play such a dominating defensive role and contribute to the team's success. He focuses on that job and considers it a badge of honor.
"You have to be hungry and want it more," Ingram said.
But he also has the physical capabilities to power the incentive to block shots. He credits good footwork, technique, being able to jump high and strength for his being able to do the job well on a consistent basis.
"I have a 40-inch vertical jump and I have worked out a lot in the weight room in the offseason," said Ingram.
Also delivers on offense
Ingram also has delivered offensively. He has made 124-for-290 (42.8 percent) shots from the field, including 31-for-97 (32.0) from 3-point range, and 53-for-72 (73.6) at the foul line.
His 12.8 scoring average ranks behind Darren Tielsch (16.3), a 6-8 senior, and Joseph Jones (13.1), a 6-2 sophomore.
Tielsch and Ingram were honored during Senior Night before last Wednesday's home game against Clarion. Then they went out and scored 15 and 12 points and grabbed eight and seven rebounds, respectively, to help Edinboro post its fourth straight win, 81-58.
The win also assured Edinboro no worse than a second-place finish in the PSAC West standings -- the seventh straight season the Fighting Scots placed first or second.
Last year, in Ingram's first season with Edinboro, he averaged 13.1 points per game and quickly evolved into a defensive standout, helping the team to a 21-10 record.
Successful student, too
Ingram also is a successful student with a 3.16 grade-point average and is an Edinboro Scholar-Athlete. He was majoring in accounting but then switched to criminal justice and history. He plans to graduate in December and is considering entering law school or the law enforcement field.
The son of Portia and Carlton Ingram, Curtis has an older brother, Carlton, and a younger sister, Tianna. Carlton is a 1999 Mooney graduate who also graduated from Temple University. Tianna is a freshman at the University of Akron.
kovach@vindy.com