SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Edison Rallies From 16 Back to Beat Palmdale

Edison rallied from a 16-point deficit for a 65-63 victory over Palmdale Friday night in the Southern Section Division I-A semifinals in front of about 1,200 at Antelope Valley High.

Chad Baird hit an 18-footer from the left with two seconds left to put the Chargers (19-9) in the division final against Mater Dei next Saturday. The defeat stopped a 16-game winning streak for Palmdale (24-4).

Palmdale’s 16-point lead came with three minutes left in the second quarter, and the Falcons were ahead, 56-46, after three.

But Edison bombed its way back from the outside, opening with an 11-2 run, and when Micah Kroeger hit a five-foot jumper with 2:18 to play, the score was tied, 61-61.

Palmdale’s Al Lairson hit a 15-foot jumper with 1:53 remaining to give the Falcons a 63-61 edge. Then Edison’s Ali Tofighi sank two free throws to tie the score with just over a minute left.

Palmdale tried to run the clock out on its next possession but Lairson, who scored 22 points, was called for traveling with 30 seconds left, setting the stage for Baird.

Kroeger scored 20 points for Edison and Darrell Adams had 13.