Edison Girls Reach 4-A Final With 61-49 Victory Over Santa Barbara

Edison High School’s winning streak reached 20 game Tuesday night as the Chargers advanced to the Southern Section girls’ 4-A final Tuesday night by defeating Santa Barbara, 61-49, in a semifinal game at Huntington Beach High School.

Edison (29-1), Sunset League champion and Orange County’s top-seeded team, reached the final for the first time in the school’s history. Edison will play Buena in the final at 8:45 p.m. Friday at Cal Poly Pomona.

The Chargers, who were tied at the end of three quarters, 43-43, rallied in the fourth quarter by scoring seven straight baskets to take a 55-43 lead with less than five minutes to play.

Led by seniors Michelle Hennessey (8 points) and Denise Ogburn (18), the Chargers outscored Santa Barbara, 18-6, in the final quarter.

Center Kristi Smith scored 15 of her game-high 19 points in the first half. She also had 10 rebounds.

The Dons (21-6), who finished second behind Buena in the Channel League, trailed at the half, 31-24, but outscored Edison, 19-12, to tie the score at the end of the third quarter.