SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION I-A BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Travel Helps Relaxed Edison Get the Best of Dana Hills

As a result of its 65-31 rout of Dana Hills Tuesday night, Edison has the luxury of playing host to Century on Friday in the second round of the Southern Section Division I-A playoffs.

But if it were up to the Chargers, they would probably prefer a trip to Century.

“It’s a joke, but we play better on the road,” Edison Coach Larry Hirst said. “I don’t know whether we’re more relaxed or what.”

Maybe it was the Dana Hills’ pep band pre-game rendition of the Weather Report tune “Birdland” that got visiting Edison in the mood. Whatever it was, the Chargers came out groovin’. They scored the first nine points and led, 17-4, after the first quarter.

As Edison showed patience on every possession, Dana Hills (14-12) committed nine turnovers and never really had a chance to win the game.

Edison (16-8) stretched its lead to 38-14 at halftime and played its reserves much of the second half.

Senior forward Micah Kroeger, who led all scorers with 16 points, said the Chargers, who finished fourth in the Sunset League, might have finally found themselves.

“We’ve been struggling all year, but that win last week over Servite has brought us together,” Kroeger said. “This is the best we’ve played as a team.

“We were picked to contend for the league title. We have talented players, but we haven’t played to our potential. But everybody is so unselfish now. If we keep playing this way, we have a good chance of beating Century.”

Kroeger was joined in double figures by Ali Tofighi, who had 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Reserve Darrell Adams scored nine points, grabbed two rebounds and made four steals.

Bob Hefty led Dana Hills with 14 points and four rebounds. No other Dolphin had more than four points.