League crown is on the line

An Edison High girls’ basketball team that has gained steam as the season has progressed has a chance to earn a share of the 2007 Sunset League title tonight when the Chargers host Esperanza.

With the regular season winding down for local girls’ teams, Edison faces its last chance at catching Esperanza in the title chase. The Chargers (16-7) are 8-1 in league and trail undefeated Esperanza by a game in the standings.

The Aztecs won the first meeting between the schools, 42-33, on Jan. 18.

“We’re definitely excited to have the chance to win league,” Edison Coach Cory Kelly said. “We know we have to play really well in order to beat a very good Esperanza team. We have a good opportunity here.

“This team has been improving all year. We pride ourselves on that and I feel like we are coming together as a team at the right time of the season.”

Edison set up tonight’s showdown by winning Tuesday at rival Fountain Valley, 48-33. A balanced Chargers scoring attack saw senior guard Wahine Kepilino score 14 points, Simone Ibbotson 12 and senior guard Melanie Lisnock 11.

In previous action, Edison topped visiting Marina, 53-39. Kepilino led all scorers with 25 points and sophomore guard Kelly Peterson had 10 points.

Sophomore forward Rita Sitivi scored 17 points to lead Marina.

Marina, however, bounced back Tuesday to secure a CIF playoff berth and third place in the league standings by winning at Newport Harbor, 54-48. Sitivi posted a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds and senior guard Michelle Walker scored 15 points for the Vikings.

Oilers earn share to Sea View title

It was only a two-point victory, but it was enough to help Huntington Beach achieve a milestone.

A 42-40 home win against El Toro on Feb. 1 allowed Huntington to earn a share of the Sea View League championship in their first year in the league. Junior center Jasmine Erving and sophomore guard Noelani Viloria tied for game-high scoring honors with 15 points apiece. Erving also grabbed nine rebounds and Rebecca Murray crashed the boards, pulling down 12.

On Tuesday, Woodbridge handed Huntington (20-4, 8-1) its first league loss, 54-50. The visiting Oilers were led by Viloria’s 18 points and 16 by Erving.

Orange outscored Ocean View by 10 points in the fourth quarter of their Golden West League meeting Tuesday and the visiting Panthers moved into a tie for first-place with the Seahawks after taking a 38-35 victory. Ashley Dunn scored 11 points for Ocean View.

Before taking on Orange, Ocean View had suffered its first league loss, a one-point setback to visiting Westminster, 34-33.

In boys’ basketball

Ocean View clinched first place in the Golden West League Monday by defeating visiting Santa Ana, 52-40. Junior guard Brandon Ishimoto scored 15 points, Takeshi Clifford had 12 points and freshman guard Avery Johnson added 11 to lead the Seahawks.

The win over Santa Ana allowed Ocean View to bounce back from consecutive losses. The Seahawks fell 73-53 to JSerra at the Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei High on Saturday and dropped their first league game on a last-second shot at Westminster, 59-58.

Ocean View co-head coach Jimmy Harris said it was just the second time that Westminster has beaten the Seahawks in 30 years.

Johnson scored 10 points to lead the Seahawks in the loss to JSerra. Junior center Anthony Pancoast scored 11 points in the loss to Westminster.

Edison rallied late Tuesday in their Sunset League showdown against visiting Fountain Valley. Corey Ferraro’s three-point shot in the closing seconds forced overtime, which allowed the Chargers to record a 72-69 victory.

It was the fourth three-pointer of the night for Ferraro, who led Edison with 24 points. Kyle Boswell scored 20 and Mike Hoida had 12.

Previously, the Oilers fell 67-49 to visiting El Toro. Junior guard Nicholas Becker scored 16 points and sophomore guard Zachary Kimber added 12 for the Oilers.

In girls’ water polo

Edison secured a spot in next week’s CIF playoffs by defeating rival Fountain Valley, 13-5, at the Newport Harbor High pool.

Sophomore Monique Wilson scored five goals, junior Jamie Bee had four — to go along with four assists — freshman Danielle Warde tallied three goals and five steals and senior Joanna Tiplea had a goal and three steals.

Senior goalie Amelia Huss tied the Edison school record with 18 saves.

“Every single member of our team played outstanding in the game against Fountain Valley,” Edison Coach Diggy Riley said. “We had great defense, great offense and our shooting was right on. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from these girls.

“This is the level of play our team needs to be at to compete in the CIF playoffs.”