Average Week Would Put Philman Over 2,000 Mark

Edison’s Marie Philman should cross the 2,000-point threshold this week, joining three other county girls who have scored as many points.

Philman needs 37 to join Costa Mesa’s Olivia DiCamilli (2,301), La Habra’s Paula Tezak (2,276) and La Quinta’s Amy Jalewalia (2,205).

She is a two-time Times All-Orange County first-team selection.

Philman, a forward, averaged 11.3 points as a freshman, 27 as a sophomore, 24.5 as a junior and 22 this season.

Philman, who also has 1,065 rebounds, missed nine games as a freshman because of knee surgery.

“It shows what kind of athlete she is, being able to play at the varsity level for four years and being consistent year in and year out,” said Edison Coach Dave White, who hopes to do something special to commemorate the occasion.

The seventh-ranked Chargers host fifth-ranked Fountain Valley tonight at 7 and Huntington Beach Thursday, on Senior Night.

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The Southern Section Council approved a measure to move the state’s track and field meet to Northern California and the basketball tournament to Anaheim in 1997. The two events would then rotate back in alternate years.

The proposal still needs approval from the State Federated Council, which will meet Feb. 23. Should the state adopt the measure, the 1997 state basketball tournament would be held at the Pond. There is currently no proposed northern site for track and field.

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Thursday was a big day for senior Jenny Benson. She scored the game-winning goal in Marina’s 2-1 victory over Fountain Valley to keep the Vikings in a three-way tie for first place in the Sunset League and also celebrated her 18th birthday along with her twin brother, Jeff.

Benson, who plays sweeper, has scored 12 goals this season for the Vikings, 11-5-2, 3-1-2 in league. Benson has orally committed to Nebraska.

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After the difficult task of saying goodbye to friend, roommate and Costa Mesa basketball Coach Jason Ferguson, who died of cancer last week at age 24, Criss Freeman now faces another difficult task.

Freeman will pull double duty, replacing Ferguson as head coach of the varsity while continuing to coach the junior varsity the remainder of the season.

“We were prepared for what happened to Jason,” said Freeman, whose varsity team is 4-17, 1-5 in the Pacific Coast League. “Right now we just need to get this season over with. I do enjoy working the kids. At the end of the year, then I’ll deal with some things.”

Larry Carlson, Costa Mesa vice principal, said school officials may consider adding “a consultant” to help Freeman.

“If so, we have some people on the [physical education] staff to do it,” Carlson said.

* Staff writers Mike Terry and Wendy Witherspoon contributed to this story.