Edison gets job done

Finishing last in the Sunset League last year wasn’t a good experience for the Edison High boys’ soccer team.

True, the Chargers were young, but a 2-8 season in league wasn’t really what they had in mind.

But this year has been much better so far. Edison is alone in first in the Sunset League, sitting at 4-0 in the league after edging Esperanza, 2-1, on Friday.

“Things are going pretty well,” Coach Charlie Breneman said. “It’s been a good run of games. We’ve had 11 games undefeated in a row right now. All the things we’ve been working on from summer and into the fall, they’re coming to fruition.”

Edison, which won the Trabuco Hills Mustang Invitational three weeks ago, has been led offensively by junior Mitchell Alvarez (the tournament MVP) and junior Bajj Chela. Add in a defense anchored by senior Alec Pinto and sophomore goalie Scott Campbell, and the Chargers have been strong.

“We have a good group and it’s kind of a deep group,” Breneman said. “We can make some substitutions and it really doesn’t hurt that much.”

Edison, ranked No. 6 in the most recent CIF Southern Section Division I poll, played at rival Fountain Valley on Wednesday. The Chargers play host to Newport Harbor at 4:45 p.m. Friday.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Edison 71, Fountain Valley 30: Junior Bonnie Samuelson had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven steals for the Chargers in Tuesday night’s Sunset League win.

Fellow junior Christina Marquette added 13 points and 12 rebounds for Edison (14-4, 4-0), ranked No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA poll.

Diana Marley led the Barons (9-10, 1-3) with 10 points.

Ocean View 49, Santa Ana 26: Sophomore Hannah Ferguson had 18 points as the Seahawks (2-1 in league) earned the Golden West League win Tuesday. Mariah Valenzuela added 12 points and Francis Oda had 11.

Marina 34, Newport Harbor 26: The Vikings improved to 2-2 in the Sunset League with Tuesday’s win.

Woodbridge 57, Huntington Beach 29: Sophomore Maya Kennedy scored a team-high nine points but the Oilers fell in a battle for first place in the Sea View League on Tuesday at Huntington Beach High.

Senior Meghan White added seven for Huntington (15-5, 3-1), ranked No. 7 in Division II-AA. Woodbridge, ranked No. 4 in Division II-A, improved to 4-0 in league.

GIRLS’ WATER POLO

Newport Harbor 9, Edison 3: The Sailors got close to clinching the Sunset League title by topping the Chargers on Jan. 13. Danielle Warde scored all three goals for Edison (14-4, 1-1), now tied for fourth in the Division I poll.

Fountain Valley 14, Esperanza 1: The Barons improved to 15-3 and 2-0 in the Sunset League with the Jan. 13 win. Danica Fascella scored three goals and Kayla Robert, Katie Stewart, Marisa Young and Deandra Van Houten all scored twice.

WRESTLING

Five Counties Invitational: Edison did the best among local teams at the prestigious tournament held at Fountain Valley High on Friday and Saturday, placing 13th as a team.

The Chargers had three placers – Aaron Lopez was seventh at 152 pounds, Scott Sire was fourth at 171s and Weston Hawkins was sixth at 189s.

Selma won the team title, edging Calvary Chapel.