Edison Gets Physical in Defeating Diablos

Edison players scoffed at those who pronounced them as also-rans in the preseason. With player of the year Marie Philman graduated, and only one starter returning, most figured the Chargers left for dead.

But Edison rose again on Saturday, defeating Mission Viejo, 67-43, in the first round of the Southern Section Division I-A girls’ basketball playoffs.

Edison (18-8), the most successful team in the playoffs the last two seasons outside of Brea Olinda, Mater Dei and Woodbridge, used what Mission Viejo Coach Jim Irby called “football basketball” to beat his Diablos. They blocked out Mission Viejo under the boards and held a 52-24 rebounding advantage.

“They were physical,” said Irby, whose team is 12-10. “That’s the way [Dave White] coaches it and they did a great job of backing us down.”

White, also Edison’s football coach, had three players with nine rebounds: Shauna Steward (20 points), Jenny Shutt (four points) and Michelle Zylstra (10 points). Shutt and Zylstra slowed down Mission Viejo’s Tami Higham, who averaged 21.4 points but finished with 16.

Edison held a 23-22 second-quarter lead, but Steward scored five points in the final 36 seconds to give the Chargers a 28-22 halftime margin. The late spark apparently motivated Melanie Cherney.

Cherney, who scored a career-high 16 points, made her first four field goals of the second half during a 14-2 run that gave Edison a decisive 44-28 lead.

“She was hot and I was just trying to get her the ball,” Steward said. “She was hitting everything.”

It was too much for Higham, who made only two of nine field goals in the first half before getting hot. Edison’s defense also clamped down on Christina Carcich (12.6 scoring average); she was two for 11, with five points, before fouling out with 7 minutes 6 seconds remaining.

Edison plays San Clemente during Wednesday’s second-round games.

In other games:

San Clemente 65, El Toro 52--Colleen Turnbull had 19 points and 14 rebounds for San Clemente (19-8). Molly Ela added 17 points for the Tritons. Giuliana Mendiola scored 28 for El Toro (17-9).

Huntington Beach 67, Westminster 50--Phouangmaly Pravongviengkham scored 22 points for Huntington Beach (16-10), which plays Mater Dei Wednesday. Tara Moore scored 15 for Westminster (18-9).

Mater Dei 74, Aliso Niguel 38--Tina Garcia scored 16 points and Charline Mendoza added 13 for fourth-seeded Mater Dei (19-6). Aliso Niguel finished 15-11.

Marina 74, Walnut 39--Marisa Emde scored a game-high 16 points and Chanda McLeod added 15 for Marina (18-7) in a rout. Adria Sortino, who scored the game’s first seven points, finished with 13 points and seven assists. Natalie Nakase added 10 points for Marina, which next plays Cerritos, a 62-26 winner over Etiwanda. Walnut is 20-6.