Boys’ Basketball: Walker propels Edison

Edison High Coach Rich Boyce said the only one who can stop Randall Walker on a basketball court is Randall Walker.

After the senior guard scored a school-record 45 points, including 31 after halftime to lead the Chargers to a 75-70 Sunset League overtime win at Newport Harbor on Friday, the Sailors would surely agree.

Walker made 13 of 19 field-goal attempts after halftime to surpass the previous record of 43 points set by Brandon Jessie in the early 1990s.

And the Chargers (14-3, 3-0 in league) needed almost every one of those points to hold off the scrappy Sailors, who led, 63-59, with 2:13 left in regulation and twice led in overtime.

Newport (11-8, 1-2) was led by senior Collin Pipkin, who poured in 25 points, including a three-pointer that put the Tars on top, 61-59, with 2:56 left in regulation.

But Walker, who sank two three-pointers and five free throws and scored nearly all the rest on driving layups, scored the final five points of regulation to forge a 64-64 deadlock.

After Dayne Chalmers opened overtime with a three-pointer for the Sailors, Walker, who was 19 for 30 from the field, answered from beyond the arc.

Another Chalmers three-pointer put the Sailors up, 70-69, with 2:09 left, but a Walker layup gave the visitors the lead for good one minute later.

After a Newport turnover, Edison senior guard Nate Matthews converted both one-and-one free throws with 26 seconds left.

And when the Sailors turned it over on their ensuing possession, Walker closed it out with two more free throws with four seconds left.

“I had the best player on the floor at the end of the game and that’s why we won,” Boyce said. “[Walker] made plays that I don’t think other guys could make. I think he willed us to that victory.

“He’s one of those rare athletes who can do so many things. He can handle the ball, he can shoot and he can rebound. I mean he is just one of a kind, to be honest with you.”

Walker added 10 rebounds and four steals, and produced 16 of the Chargers’ 25 layups. Most of his buckets came on clear-outs, with him making his way to the rim with the dribble.

“I have this drive inside of me that I just hate losing,” Walker said. “I knew I had to take over at the end.”

Newport Harbor Coach Bob Torribio said Walker was the difference.

“When a kid is good, a kid is good,” Torribio said. “It’s a score-points game, a made-baskets game. Our guys did a great job on Randall the best we could, and [the Chargers] have four guys around him who can all score, too. Before the game, we thought Walker and Matthews would combine for 45. We didn’t think Randall would have 45 on his own. That wasn’t the pregame talk.”

Junior David Atencio had 11 points for the winners, while Matthews finished with eight.

Pipkin had 11 rebounds, while Chalmers chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds.

Walker had all but three of Edison’s field goals after intermission, including eight of 10 in the final 10:08.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my team,” Torribio said. “The game goes to overtime and we couldn’t make enough plays at the end, but boy, we competed.”

SUNSET LEAGUE

Edison 75, Newport Harbor 70 (OT)

SCORE BY PERIODS

Edison 19 – 16 – 13 – 16 – 11 —75

Newport 18 – 14 – 15 – 17 – 6 — 70

Edi – Walker 45, Atencio 11, Matthews 8, M. Serven 6, S. Serven 3, Phillips 2.

3-pt. goals – Walker 2, M. Serven 2.

Fouled out – M. Serven.

Technicals – None.

NH – Pipkin 25, Chalmers 16, Blaine 11, Barela 9, Siegel 6, Delgadillo 3.

3-pt. goals – Pipkin 3, Chalmers 2, Blaine 1, Barela 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.