PREP BASKETBALL : Sunset League : Pesky Edison Pressures Ocean View, but Falls Late in Fourth Quarter

Edison High School didn’t match up well against much-taller Ocean View Wednesday night, but the Chargers weren’t outmatched in their Sunset League game in the Seahawks’ gym.

Edison, which starts 6-foot 5-inch center Doug Katona and four others less than 6-2, stuck right with Ocean View, which starts two 6-7 forwards, a 6-5 center and has a 6-8 reserve, until the final 28 seconds, when guards Shane Morris and Blaine DeBrouwer each made two free throws to help the Seahawks to a 56-51 victory.

The pesky Chargers battled back from a nine-point deficit late in the third period to tie the game, 47-47, with 4:03 remaining. Chris Cole scored 12 points in the final quarter, including two foul shots that tied the score (49-49) with 2:16 left.

But Ocean View (2-0 in league, 12-4 overall) went ahead on DeBrouwer’s bank shot and extended the lead to four points (53-49) on Morris’ two free throws, which came after the Chargers blew an opportunity to tie the game.

Katona missed a shot inside, but Ken Ammann grabbed the rebound for Edison. His follow shot was blocked by Ricky Butler and a jump ball was called on the ensuing scramble. Ocean View took the ball on the alternate-possession rule and Morris made both ends of a one-and-one after being fouled.

Cole hit a jumper to make it 53-51 with 11 seconds left and the Chargers fouled DeBrouwer with 9 seconds to go. But DeBrouwer sank both shots from the line for another four-point cushion. Butler, who scored a team-high 17 points for Ocean View, added a free throw with 3 seconds left.

Butler, the Seahawks’ 6-7 forward, was a force inside, blocking 6 shots and forcing the Chargers to alter several others. But Edison (1-1 and 11-5) didn’t let Ocean View’s other big men--6-7 Tony Panzica, 6-5 Desi Hazely and 6-8 Mike Vogtmann--bother them too much.

“Playing against an all-guard team, it’s hard for us to match up,” said Jim Harris, Ocean View coach. “They can go around us and shoot. We had the size advantage, but there’s some give and take there.”

The lead changed hands nine times in the first half, with Ocean View holding a 28-26 lead, but the Seahawks opened a nine-point (42-33) lead by scoring six straight points on Butler’s inside jumper and fast-break baskets by Morris and Panzica late in the third period.

Edison switched from a zone to a full-court, man-to-man press, which forced several Ocean View turnovers and gave the Chargers a chance to come back. Katona made two free throws and scored on a follow shot at the end of the third quarter and opened the fourth with another basket.

Cole then went on a tear, scoring Edison’s next eight points, but the Chargers missed too many shots and made too many mistakes in the final two minutes to keep up with the Seahawks.

“For us to beat them, we need to be sharp and crisp with the ball the whole game,” Edison Coach Jon Borchert said. “We can’t turn the ball over like we did in the fourth quarter.”

In other Sunset League action:

Fountain Valley 42, Marina 33--The Barons scored only two points in the first quarter, but Tim Johnson led a second-quarter comeback with eight points that helped the Barons even their record to 1-1 in league play. Johnson finished with 18 points and center Glenn Gordon had 12 rebounds. Forward William Quinn led Marina, also 1-1, with 13 points.

Westminster 61, Huntington Beach 46--The Lions (1-1, 4-11), outscored Huntington Beach 26-12 in the final quarter to coast to the victory at home. Tom Dever led the way for Westminster with 14 points, and teammates Joe Smith and Mark Austin each added 13 points. Steve Pemper led Huntington Beach with 11 points.