Chargers, Seahawks one game away

Brea Olinda has been a wrecking ball in the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA girls’ basketball playoffs.

In its four games, the top-seeded Ladycats have outscored opponents, 339-131.

But Edison, which advanced to the final with a 45-37 semifinal win over Mira Costa on Saturday, has also been playing well.

The Chargers (24-4) have won 16 straight games heading into the Division II-AA championship game, which is set for 8:15 p.m. Saturday at Mater Dei High.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Edison Coach Dan Wiley said. “[Brea Olinda] is loaded. They’re deep.”

Edison can shoot the three-pointer. Against Mira Costa, it was senior guard Michelle Yamasaki and sophomore forward Bonnie Samuelson who sparked a third-quarter rally from long range.

Samuelson leads the Chargers with 18 points per game, and senior guard Kelly Peterson averages 11 points and a team-best eight rebounds.

Third-seeded Edison is trying to capture its first CIF championship in girls’ basketball since 1987. By advancing to the finals, the Chargers are also assured of making next week’s CIF state playoffs.

“They’re pretty excited about that,” Wiley said. “There’s no pressure on us. The pressure’s on Brea Olinda.”

Wiley also knows Brea Olinda well. Three of its players – Jonae Ervin, Kendall Rodriguez and Kelsey Harris — have played club for Wiley through the Cal SWISH club.

Samuelson is on the same club team. In fact, all five Edison starters have played for Wiley in club, as well.

“It’s almost a SWISH reunion,” Wiley said with a laugh.

Yamasaki said the Chargers will be ready, even if they aren’t the favorites.

“They’d probably beat us 19 out of 20 times,” she said. “But, it’s just that one time. We want to show them we can do well.”

•?The Ocean View boys, the third seed in Division IV-AA, will play for the title at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at Mater Dei High against fourth-seeded Inglewood.

Ocean View is led by juniors Anthony Brown and Avery Johnson, as well as senior Mason Jones. But other people have also stepped up for the Seahawks (23-7).

In a 46-41 semifinal win over Serra of Gardena, junior guard Aaron Delgado hit four fourth-quarter free throws to help ice the game. Sophomore guard Billy Keller scored eight and junior center Ryan Okwudibonye had 10.

“Inglewood has a stud guard,” Ocean View co-Coach Jimmy Harris said. “He runs the show there, an all-everything guy. They do have some height, and some height that plays good defense. This will be a challenging team, but they made it to the CIF finals for a reason.”

Inglewood is coming off a 97-93 overtime win over top-seeded Bishop Montgomery.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they came out and trapped us, just like Serra did,” Harris said. “But I feel real good about how our team is playing right now.”

Johnson, who averages a team-high 13 points per game, said he did, too.

“I think it’s going to be a great game,” Johnson said. “We’re working on our offense. We had a pretty good defensive game when we played Serra. Hopefully we’ll put two and two together and get it done.”

Inglewood (24-7) is led by senior guard Dashawn Gomez (18.5 ppg) and senior forward Desean Anderson (16.3 ppg).

CIF BASKETBALL FINALS

Saturday at Mater Dei High

Division IV-AA boys’ final, 2:45 p.m.

?No. 3 Ocean View (23-7) vs. No. 4 Inglewood (24-7)

Division II-AA girls’ final, 8:15 p.m.

?No. 3 Edison (24-4) vs. No. 1 Brea Olinda (28-2)