Fischer Regains Touch by Changing Her Point of View

A move to the point has Edison High School’s Debbie Fischer making her points.

And, for the most part, she makes her points three at a time.

Fischer, The Times’ Athlete of the Week, was switched from the off-guard spot to point guard halfway through the Sunset League season.

In December, Fischer set a Southern Section record with 10 three-pointers in a game against Corona. Since then, she has found it difficult getting the ball to shoot her three-pointers.

“She’s probably had to work harder to get open than any other player,” Edison Coach Philip Abraham said. “I think some coaches actually invented defenses to stop her.”

But nothing stopped Fischer Thursday.

She scored 49 points to break her own school record and had 10 three-pointers to tie her Southern Section record. The 10 three-point goals added to her Southern Section records for most three-point goals in a season (92) and a career (100).

“(Moving to the point) is good because it’s easier to get the ball,” Fischer said. “Because people know I can shoot the three, it leaves me open to drive more.”

Not that she drives to the net all that often. “I’m content to shoot from the outside,” Fischer said.

Abraham said, “I give her the green light and she has no conscience. She thinks she’s open from the time she gets to the gym.”

Fischer makes 40% of her three-point attempts, but according to Abraham, “She shoots about 10 three-pointers a game and she averages about 12 points--so it’s like shooting 60%.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Denise Gandara scored 44 points to lead University to a 62-44 victory over Newport Harbor Thursday. She scored 25 points in University’s 56-31 victory over Costa Mesa Tuesday.

Alysson Gibbs scored four goals to lead Edison to a 6-0 victory over Westminster in a Sunset League soccer match Tuesday.

Amy Jalewalia scored 42 points to lead La Quinta to a 73-37 victory over Garden Grove Friday. She scored 36 points in a 57-29 victory over Los Amigos Wednesday and had 36 points and 10 rebounds in an 82-33 victory over Bolsa Grande Monday.

Valerie Ruiz scored 39 points, including six three-pointers, and had 11 steals to lead Kennedy to a 70-42 victory over Santiago Monday. Ruiz had five three-pointers and 27 points in an 81-68 victory over Garden Grove Wednesday. She had 25 points in a 64-35 victory over Pacifica Friday.

Jennifer Sullivan scored 27 points, had 25 rebounds and 10 blocked shots to lead Ocean View to a 56-43 victory over Edison Tuesday. She scored 17 points in a 53-51 victory over Marina Thursday.

Debbie Fischer

Edison High School

* Position: Guard

* Height, Weight, Class: 5-6, 110, Senior

* Last Week: Fischer scored a school-record 49 points, added to her Southern Section record for three-point goals for a season and a career and tied her own record with 10 three-pointers in an 88-33 victory over Westminster Thursday.

* Season: Fischer is averaging 21.6 points, four three-pointers, 3.3 steals and 4.6 assists.