Edison struggles in second half, loses to Los Alamitos

The Sunset League girls’ basketball game between Edison High and Los Alamitos on Tuesday night exhibited exactly why coaches preach the importance of playing a complete game.

Before halftime, everything seemed to break the Chargers’ way. The loose balls that went out of bounds resulted in Edison possession. Those that stayed in play would be gobbled up by Finley Garnett and Ashley Niemand to create second-chance opportunities.

Even on broken plays, the Chargers got something out of them. On the final possession of the first quarter, Garnett found herself trapped in the corner. With the clock running out, she threw up a prayer. The shot bounced high off the front iron and fell through the hoop.

It was not to be for the Chargers, however, as Edison let a nine-point halftime lead slip away in a 53-49 loss to the visiting Griffins.

Los Alamitos outscored Edison 16-7 in the fourth quarter. The Chargers (8-8, 1-1 in league) scored 15 points total in the second half.

After Cailyn Crocker, the co-Sunset League MVP last year, transferred to Mater Dei, it was clear that sophomore guard Asia Avinger had become the new top option for the Griffins (13-4, 2-0). Avinger scored 22 points with six rebounds, five assists and five steals.

“It feels great,” Avinger said of pulling off a fourth-quarter comeback on the road. “We always play the same game, no matter who is on the team. We look to get everybody the ball, and we’ve just got to share.”

MaKayla Burdette added 11 points and Kalei Iwami had 10 points for Los Alamitos.

“I always tell the girls, ‘Don’t let teams hang around,’” Griffins coach Rich Alvarez said. “I said, ‘They’re letting you hang around, so what are you going to do with that opportunity?’

“Our girls just kept fighting and kept battling.”

Prior to an Avinger steal that led to two free throws and a 50-49 edge with 3:07 remaining, the Griffins had not led since a 14-12 advantage at the 2:02 mark of the first quarter. The Chargers had been in control since Garnett’s miracle three-pointer made it 19-16 Edison to end the opening period.

Niemand, a senior center, scored a game-high 25 points with 16 rebounds and four blocked shots. Garnett, a senior power forward, added 16 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

“Finley and Ashley are kind of rare players,” Chargers coach Sara Brown said. “Not only do they have size, but they’re athletic and they can run the floor. They can do some guard-type things.”

Little help came elsewhere. Gabby Samiy, Hope Nguyen, and Irene Ontiveros, the team’s three starting wing players, combined for six points and one made field goal, a first-quarter three by Samiy.

Los Alamitos made the adjustment, doubling Niemand in the post to take away the over-the-top pass. It sped up the Chargers, adding to their turnover total with the team’s guards reluctant to put up shots when the initial offensive game plan was taken away.

“I need my guards to step up and make shots,” Brown said. “It can’t be the Finley and Ashley show. My guards know that. I need to have at least three to four girls in double figures on this team in order for us to win big games, or it’s just not going to happen.

“Once they started doubling down on Ashley and getting aggressive on Finley, my guards were a little hesitant.”

*

Los Alamitos 53, Edison 49

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Los Alamitos 16 – 9 – 12 – 16 — 53

Edison 19 – 15 – 8 – 7 — 49

LA – Avinger 22, Burdette 11, Iwami 10, Gandy 6, O. Clarke 4.

3-pt. goals – Avinger 3, Iwami 2, Gandy 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

E – Niemand 25, Garnett 16, Samiy 5, Johnson 2, Nguyen 1.

3-pt. goals – Garnett 1, Samiy 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

ANDREW TURNER is a contributor to Times Community News. Follow him on Twitter: @ProfessorTurner