Mike Edge

1982 PHS Graduate

Son of the late Don and Linda Edge, sister (Carole) ‘78, brother (Jeff) ‘79
Four-year lettermen in basketball and golf
All-State Basketball
First golfer in PHS history to qualify for four state golf tournaments
Senior Class President
Went to OBU on a basketball scholarship --- 4-year starter at OBU and ranks No. 6 on the all-time list for games played
First Team All-Defensive Team for the Sooner Athletic Conference (two seasons), while at OBU
After graduating, worked at OBU for six years in Athletics (Men’s Basketball Coach) and Administration (Admissions and Financial Aid).
After OBU, spent 16 years in the healthcare sales field for Pfizer
In 2007, founded The Xtra Mile Group, focusing on growing organizations through developing leaders, executives, and sales professionalsWife – Amy (31 years), son – Nate (26) and his wife, Paulina, daughters – Natasha (23) , Carlee (18)

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1982/02/16/chewing-out-has-given-purcell-edge/62893923007/

Chewing out has given Purcell "Edge'

Dave Pego

From the sidelines, it looked like Mike Edge could still see a player who was no longer there.

During the first 10 1/2 games of this season, Purcell coach Jack Park said he watched the 6-5 senior take his best shots from where he had taken them last year far away from the basket.

Last year that had been fine. Edge had been paired with a 6-8 teammate who did the inside work.

But now for Purcell to have an inside edge against its opponents, Park knew he would have to get more help inside from Edge, the team's tallest player.

Edge was averaging nearly 20 points although he shot just 14 or 15 times a game, but Park said he knew the Dragons' offense would improve if he could just get the youngster to start taking the ball to the basket.

Park recalls it was at halftime of the Dragons' Jan. 19 game at Sulphur when he finally decided "to jump on Edge."

"He wasn't being aggressive," the Purcell coach explained. "So I kind of chewed him out and told him we really depended on him for rebounding. He just looked mad and didn't say anything."

But when Edge starting playing in the second half, Park knew the kid had found himself. It was like he suddenly had been awarded a driving license.

"No matter where he got it, he went to the basket with it in that second half," Park said.

Edge ended the night with 42 points.

He game back two nights later to score 41 against Newcastle and has built his average now to more than 26 points a game for the season.

And not only do Edge's drives produce a higher percentage of baskets (he shoots 59 percent), he has begun to pick up a lot of three-point plays.

"He's finally gotten the idea he has to take it to the basket for us to win," Park said. "I expect more from him than anyone else on my team."

Although Park had a senior club returning from a 21-6 team that made it all the way to the Class 3A area tournament last season, he wasn't sure this team would be as good because of the missing big man, Mike Thompson, who had intimidated foes last season with more than 80 blocked shots.

Thus, it was no secret that Edge, who averaged 20 points a game last year, had to jack up his performance even more for Purcell to get rolling.

Now that he has, Park is singing his praises.

"He's just unreal," the Dragons' coach said. "He's an excellent offensive rebounder so if he misses, he keeps the ball alive until he puts it in. He's such a good shooter we just call him "Automatic' from 15 feet in."

Purcell has rebounded to a 14-7 record, winning nine of its last 11 games. And the last two losses were two-point decisions to Tuttle and Lindsay.

"We had the last shot against Tuttle and nearly beat them there," Prak said. "We could very well be 17-3 or 18-2 this season with some breaks. We can put some points on the board so we'll be all right if we play some defense."

Park figures Edge, like Thompson, will move on to play basketball for some small state college. Although not well publicized, he probably is too good for some school to pass up.

"I think a lot of people will be interested in him," the Purcell coach said. "He moves pretty good and he can hit from 15 to 20 feet out. And now he's really playing."

Although he doesn't like to get mad at his players often, Park is really glad he was on edge one night this year.