ONE AND DONE

Edison’s state title hopes dashed quickly by bigger, stronger Fairfax

By George Takata
VSP Senior Writer-

Arturo Ormond’s Division I Valley Champion Edison Tigers had never seen anyone like this before: a 6′10″ intimidating, three-point making Magic Johnson-like machine, complete with the oddest of jersey numbers for a young man that size: one.

His name: Renardo Sidney.

His game: complete.

The USC bound center/forward and his guard-like skills led the Lions with 21 points, and visiting national powerhouse Fairfax, ranked 16th in the country, had little to worry about in their 70-49 win over the Tigers in the first round of the Southern California regional at the Edison gymnasium. Sidney hit five three pointers in the first half, and capped his night with a steal and breakaway jam in the third quarter to add extra icing to the cake.

“It’s very disappointing,” said senior guard Jameal York, who finished with 15 points. “We didn’t come out playing hard, so they came out on top.”

Fellow senior Isaiah Gossett had a team high 17 points for Edison, who had just one day off after beating Central 66-65 for the Division I valley title Saturday night at Selland Arena, one of the most memorable and emotionally draining games in section history. Nat Harrison’s banker at the buzzer may have emptied the Tigers’ tank.

Edison finishes the season with a 24-7 record, exceeding head coach Arturo Ormond’s expectations and then some.

“Our season was phenomenal,” Ormond said. “We had zero expectations coming into the season, losing all five starters and these kids battled through to win the valley and qualified for state. I’m extremely proud of this team. This (loss) doesn’t put any type of scar on our season.”

With nine players returning, the Tigers are in great shape for the 2009-2010 campaign. “I’m extremely excited about the future of this team,” Ormond said.

STATE PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD

BOYS DIVISION I
Fairfax-70
Edison-49

Central-51
Westchester-85

BOYS DIVISION III
Kingsburg-80
Laces-76
NEXT: At #1 Bishop Montgomery tonight, 7 PM

BOYS DIVISION V
Mission Prep-72
Besant Hill-60
NEXT: AT #1 Windward tonight, 7 PM

GIRLS DIVISION I
Clovis West-62
Chatsworth-66

Taft-46
Stockdale-66
NEXT: At #2 Long Beach Poly tonight, 7 PM

GIRLS DIVISION II
Wilson-41
Garces-55
NEXT: At Mater Dei tonight, 6 PM

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