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    Edison boys basketball gets lift from returning players in win over Fountain Valley
    • December 19, 2024

    FOUNTAIN VALLEY — With a star player returning after being sidelined for two weeks due to injuries and two more players rejoining the team after playing on the football team that just won a state championship, the Edison basketball team seemed to have all the advantages against Fountain Valley in a Sunset League opener for both teams Wednesday.

    Four players scored in double figures for the Chargers, who led from early in the first quarter in a 61-54 victory over the Barons at Fountain Valley High School.

    The Chargers, (7-6, 1-0), who are ranked No. 22 in the county, also dominated on the boards with 30 rebounds, including 14 at the offensive end, compared to 16 for the No. 19 Barons (10-3, 0-1).

    Derick Johnson, a 6-foot-3 junior, was returning to the starting lineup after missing six games with injuries to both ankles and scored a game-high 24 points and pulled down nine rebounds, five on the offensive end.

    “He was guarded by smaller players, so he was just killing them inside,” Edison coach Josh Beaty said. “They couldn’t keep him off the glass. So, to see him play the way that he did with as much heart as he had … Because he’s not up to his condition yet.”

    Edison's Derrick Johnson was one of four players to score in double figures for the Chargers in a 61-54 victory over Fountain Valley in the Sunset League opener for both teams Wednesday, Dec. 18. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)
    Edison’s Derick Johnson was one of four players to score in double figures for the Chargers in a 61-54 victory over Fountain Valley in the Sunset League opener for both teams Wednesday, Dec. 18. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    Beaty, who is in his first year coaching the Chargers, was returning to Fountain Valley for the first time after coaching the Barons last season.

    “It’s weird but it’s not about me,” said Beaty, who guided the Barons to the quarterfinal round of the CIF-SS Division 2-AA playoffs last year. “I’m just trying to make it about the kids.”

    Along with Johnson, scoring in double figures for the Chargers were Jayden Oei (19), Connor McNally (15) and Devyn Blake (10).

    Blake and Teo Hampton were both on the Chargers’ football team that defeated Central of Fresno, 21-14, on Saturday to capture the CIF State Division 1-A title.

    Devin Payne and Aaron DeSantiago scored 21 and 18, respectively, to lead Fountain Valley and were the main reason the Barons were within striking range for much of the contest.

    The Barons trailed by four with four minutes, 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter but the Chargers then scored four times off of offensive rebounds to make the score 59-52 with 26.9 seconds left.

    “It is tough to win games when you give that many second opportunities,” Barons coach Brendon Holmes said. “We had moments where we were battling and playing hard but we could have been a little bit more aggressive when it came to the ball going up in the air and us needing to go get it. It was a tough one, but I think it was a great opportunity for those guys to learn.”

     

     Orange County Register 

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