DIVISION I-A ROUNDUP : Kroeger’s Big Play Helps Edison Win in Overtime, 58-57

Edison needed something extra, and Micah Kroeger delivered it--a four-point play--to help send the game into overtime before Edison edged Century, 58-57, in a Southern Section Division I-A second-round boys’ basketball playoff game Friday at Edison High.

With Edison trailing, 54-50, Kroeger, who had 24 points and 10 rebounds, made a three-pointer while Ronnie Arristondo fouled him with 12 seconds remaining, then made the free throw to send the game into overtime.

“They had our fannies beat,” Edison Coach Larry Hirst said. “That was probably a game we shouldn’t have won, but we’ll take it.”

Century missed the front end of eight one-and-ones in the fourth quarter and overtime to help Edison (18-8) advance to the quarterfinals to play Orange, a 69-61 winner over Corona. Century (23-5) ended its most successful season.

In overtime, Edison made four of six free throws; Century made three of six. Although Thomas Harmon, who had a game-high 26 points for Century, got two good shots in the overtime, neither fell and Edison managed to play keep-away and run out the final 14 seconds before Century could foul anyone.

“Century is the most physical, quick, defensive team we’ve played,” Hirst said. “We weren’t playing well offensively, but that’s a credit to their defense.”

Edison committed 24 turnovers and shot 34% (11 of 32) from the field in the second half, yet rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final 3 minutes 12 seconds.

After Century missed two front ends of one-and-ones, Ali Tofighi, who had seven points and 14 rebounds, scored after an offensive rebound to cut the lead to 50-46 with 1:50 remaining.

After two more missed front ends of one-and-ones, a short hook shot by Ben Beard drew the Chargers within 50-48 with 1:06 remaining.

Then Visal Yam made four free throws for Century and Kroeger answered with a layup, but Yam missed another front end of a one-and-one with 26 seconds left, setting up Kroeger’s tying score.

“It finally caught up with us,” Century Coach Greg Coombs said. “You can’t miss free throws like that in the playoffs and expect to win. But we had a great season. How many teams can say they won 23 games?”

Kroeger helped Edison advance by scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Darrell Adams added 12 points and two three-pointers for the Chargers.

In another Division I-A game:

Mater Dei 90, El Monte Arroyo 39--Clay McKnight and Miles Simon each scored 21 points to lead top-seeded Mater Dei (28-0) at the Bren Center.

McKnight had five three-pointers and Simon had 11 assists for the Monarchs, who will play Moreno Valley Valley View--a 71-67 winner in overtime over Moreno Valley Canyon Springs--in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

Schea Cotton had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Shaun Jackson had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Mater Dei, which led, 56-20, at halftime. Mater Dei is ranked second in the nation by USA Today.