GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / SUNSET LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Philman and Edison Fall Short

Marie Philman played the game of her life in the game of her life. Despite Fountain Valley’s hounding defense, and drained by the elbows, the shoves and the floor burns, Philman put together the kind of game that makes legends--if you win.

Instead, Philman and her sixth-ranked Edison teammates were beaten by the balance of fourth-ranked Fountain Valley, 62-57, in the Barons’ gym on Tuesday.

Coupled with fifth-ranked Marina’s stunning loss to Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley (18-5, 7-0) clinched a share of the Sunset League title--the Barons lead by three games with three to play--and took some of the luster off Thursday’s game against Marina.

Edison (15-5, 4-3) and Marina aren’t mathematically eliminated from winning the league title, but the Chargers were eliminated emotionally.

“We have to play for second place now unless something drastic happens,” Edison Coach Dave White said.

Something drastic would be three consecutive losses by a Baron team that has won nine in a row.

Philman had 15 rebounds and scored 28 points--including 12 of her team’s 14 in the fourth quarter--as the Chargers came back from a 49-41 deficit to tie the score at 55. But Philman missed three of her final four shots (finishing 14 for 24 from the field), and Fountain Valley made seven of nine free throws in the final 2 minutes 26 seconds. Fountain Valley outscored Edison by 13 from the free-throw line.

“My shots fell a little short (at the end),” Philman said. “My legs were starting to get tired.”

Nicole Strange (18 points, 10 rebounds, six steals) deserves most of the credit for Philman’s aerobic damage against the diamond-and-one defense. The rest of the Baron defense deserves some credit for the rest of Edison’s team shooting only 29% (11 for 38).

Strange also had more help on offense than did Philman, as Jennifer Ludwicki had 26 points and nine rebounds. Heather Basco scored eight points. Edison’s second-leading scorer was Kerry O’Bric, who had nine points.

Philman, a junior, needed four points to break Shannon Meyers’ school career record of 1,366 (1978-81); she broke Meyers’ career rebound record on Thursday.

In another Sunset League game:

Huntington Beach 64, Marina 61--The Oilers led, 47-41, after three quarters and held on for the upset. Mindi Adam and Rene Kimoto had 12 points for Huntington Beach (12-10, 2-5); Shandy Robbins scored 19 for the Vikings (16-5, 4-3).