For Hirst, Magic Slips Away at the End

Before Saturday’s Southern Section Division I-A boys’ basketball championship game against Mater Dei, Edison Coach Larry Hirst begged for a chance to be in the game.

“I hope we can stay close,” Hirst said. “And maybe, if we can make a play at the end, pull off an upset.”

To the surprise of the 13,395 fans at Anaheim Arena, Edison made Mater Dei sweat for its 65-59 victory, and closed to within four points--twice--in the final 49 seconds.

Four was the magic number for the Chargers, because they remembered Micah Kroeger’s magical four-point play, which helped them reach the Southern Section basketball finals for the first time in the school’s history.

In the second round against Century, Edison trailed by four in the final minute when Kroeger made a three-pointer, and was fouled. He made the free throw, the game went into overtime, and the Chargers survived with a 58-57 victory.

But there was no magical shot this night. Mater Dei’s Miles Simon made six of eight free throws in the final 49 seconds, and Kroeger’s half-court shot at the buzzer would have only sliced the deficit in half.

“We’re not happy with just being invited,” Hirst said. “All week long we thought we could win this game. Even though we were down 15 points in the fourth quarter, the kids believed.”

Edison players such as Ben Beard, who had 24 points, and Kroeger, who had 22, made Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight a believer.

“If we’re ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today, then Edison has to be a top-five team,” McKnight said. “We were sluggish tonight, but Edison had a lot to do with it.”

McKnight isn’t alone in his praise for Hirst.

Hirst’s former coach at Edison, Dave Mohs, was one of four former Edison coaches on hand to watch the Chargers in their first title game.

“It’s fun watching one of your ex-players lead the team,” Mohs said. “Sure, you’re proud of what he’s accomplished, but I had nothing to do with it.”

Jon Borchert, who coached Edison last season but is on a sabbatical from basketball, echoed Mohs sentiments.

“I’m very proud of the kids, they’re a great bunch,” Borchert said. “I’m very pleased with what Larry’s done for the program. This is his team and his season.”