Edison Is Its Own Worst Enemy in 61-54 Loss to Cerritos

Edison basketball Coach Jon Borchert stood up early in the game and asked a simple question. He spent the rest of the night agonizing over the answer.

With the Chargers flailing and failing in their Southern Section I-A qualifying game, Borchert hollered out, “Do we want to play tonight or not?”

The answer was “not.”

The Chargers, the Sunset League co-champions, made a quick exit from the playoffs, losing to Cerritos, 61-54, Tuesday at Edison.

Yes, that’s the same Cerritos team that had a 7-17 record going into the game. Those same lovable Dons who went 1-11 in San Gabriel Valley League play.

“We have some good teams in that league,” Coach Jim Chapel said. “I knew we were a better club.”

That’s one version of Tuesday’s game. Borchert had another.

“We looked at their record and figured all we had to do was show up and win,” he said.

The Chargers’ (16-9) biggest problem was getting the ball in the hands of Brandon Jessie, where he could do some damage. Jessie, who averages 22 points, was denied the ball inside, where his leaping ability could do him and the Chargers some good.

Part of the problem was caused by the Dons, who used a variety of defenses to keep the 6-foot-5 Jessie away from his kill zone. But part of it was the Chargers’ fault.

At one point, Jessie finally muscled for some position, only to stare blankly at teammate John Khamis. It brought Borchert to his feet again, shouting, “Get him the ball.”

Forced outside, Jessie began to press. He scored 24 points, but made only seven of 24 shots. He also had seven turnovers.

With Cerritos leading, 44-42, in the fourth quarter, Jessie, who has carried the Chargers at times this season, tried to do just that. Only this time, it didn’t work.

In four consecutive possessions, Jessie took three poor shots, with defenders hanging all over him, and turned the ball over once. The Dons extended their lead to 54-46.

“I was trying to get it going, but it was a little too late,” Jessie said.

No one was able to pick up the slack, as the Chargers shot only 30% from the field.

Cerritos got strong performances from its inside players. Center Scott Williams scored 19 points and forward Dustin Chavis added 15.

They caused the Chargers more than a few problems. Or did they?

“The only problem out there tonight was us,” Borchert said.