Christina Mauser Memorial Tournament tips off at Edison

Fountain Valley's Ashley Nguyen and Edison's Kat Rumsey scramble for a rebound at the Christina Mauser Memorial Tournament.

By Andrew TurnerStaff Writer

Dec. 28, 2021 3:34 PM PT

Edison High School continues to find new ways to preserve the memory of Christina Mauser, this time introducing a girls’ basketball tournament in her name.

Mauser, a 1999 graduate of Edison and a beloved basketball coach in the Mamba Sports Academy, was among the victims in the fatal helicopter crash that took nine lives — including those of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna — in Calabasas in January of 2020.

A scholarship in Mauser’s name had previously been created, an award meant to recognize female athletes at Edison who demonstrate her values and work ethic.

“She was special,” Matt Mauser, widower of Christina, said. “She was one of the best to ever go through there, and she worked with one of the greatest. She was definitely special to me and our family, so we’re just happy that she’s remembered.

Edison's Gwen Ontiveros attempts to block Fountain Valley's Margaret Tengan as she goes up for a shot.

“Christina represented so many different things to so many. She was not only a great basketball player, but she was an amazing coach. Her ability to connect with people was like nobody you’d ever met, and especially as a coach, she gave everything — she gave everything to her family — but she did it with wit, humor and an absolute knowledge of every part of the game.”

Matt Mauser said he was approached by Edison girls’ basketball coach Mark Decker about lending his late wife’s name to the tournament, and he said his family was honored.

“We’re honored to be able to do something to continue her legacy here,” Decker said. “She was a huge part of the Edison community — athletics and off the court, too. Matt and his family live here, so I just thought it would be a great thing to be able to do that. There’s so many ties and connections.”

The Christina Mauser Memorial Tournament tipped off for the first time on Monday. Fountain Valley defeated Edison 59-43 in the teams’ tournament opener.

Fountain Valley's Audrey Tengan dribbles past Edison's Bailey Chang, center, and Sofia Aviles.

Sunset Conference opponents might have hoped to avoid playing each other in a tournament to diversify their season portfolio, but as has been a theme during the COVID-19 pandemic, things seldomly go according to plan.

Trabuco Hills and Villa Park, who were scheduled to open against Fountain Valley and Edison, respectively, dropped out of the tournament due to positive tests, Decker said.

Senior guard Audrey Tengan had a game-high 21 points to go with nine rebounds for the Barons, while twin sister Margaret Tengan had 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. The dynamic duo did most of their damage running to the rim, earning 13 free-throw attempts between them.

Fountain Valley coach Marianne Karp said the twins have become true leaders from whom she elicits feedback.

Edison's Gwen Ontiveros and Fountain Valley's Mary Nguyen charge up court at the Christina Mauser Memorial Tournament.

“It’s like having another coach, and in a sense two coaches,” Karp said. “They’re just so on it. They see a lot. They’ve gotten to know these players pretty well. Having been freshmen moving up through the program, it’s like having another coach on the court. It’s phenomenal. I go to them a lot.

“It’s one of the things I haven’t done ever, and I’ve actually said to them, and to the other players, ‘What’s going on out there that I don’t see? You guys tell me.’”

Junior forward Dianna Burke and senior center Sarah Henry each had six points for Fountain Valley (10-3), and sophomore guard Audrey Chow finished with five points.

Fountain Valley won the Wave League in 2020. Audrey Tengan said the Barons have their sights set on competing for a Surf League championship.

Edison's Mia Cassel drives the lane on Fountain Valley's Sarah Henry in the Christina Mauser Memorial Tournament.

“It would mean a lot because we’re in the upper division [of the Sunset Conference], and it is our senior year,” she said. “I feel like going out with a bang would feel really good.”

Trailing 27-16 at halftime, the Chargers were able to close the gap to 31-28 three minutes into the third quarter before the Barons pulled away. Edison’s run was fueled by a flurry of three-pointers, the last one by Bailey Chang, who had eight points on the night.

Kat Rumsey, who made three shots from beyond the arc, and Sofia Aviles paced Edison (4-10) with nine points each. Gillian Barnes, Gwen Ontiveros and Mia Cassel scored five points apiece.