Fountain Valley (2-4) is looking to climb the ranks after placing fourth in Sunset League the previous winter. However, Wednesday’s matchup against Edison (4-1) continued to prove a challenge, as they now remain in fourth, trailing top contenders— Corona Del Mar, Los Alamitos and Edison— after the 75-79 loss.
The Barons entered their match against Edison charged up with the support of their peers. Students dressed up as ESPN hosts in business attire. Junior Isaac Chinchilla is pictured doing a pre-game handshake with his teammate.After a tip-off in favor of Edison, ball possession returned to the Barons with senior Kenneth Nguyen slipping past defenders for a quick layup, tying the score 2-2.Senior Kenneth Nguyen sinks a three-pointer from the top of the key.Junior Isaac Chinchilla shortly follows with another three, giving the Barons a 8-7 lead.Neither team gives the other a chance for slip-ups, as they each dive on the floor and hustle for steals.Junior Isaac Chinchilla makes a contested three to comfortably end the first quarter 21-17 in favor of the Barons.Senior Kyler Yee looks for an outlets pass while the Barons extend their lead by 10 points within three minutes of the second quarter.Senior Grant Wilson does a quick turnaround off a put-back to regain the Barons’ score of 34-30.Tight defense by senior Kenneth Nguyen demonstrates a key component of the Edison matchup.Junior Isaac Chinchilla contests an attempted buzzer-beater by the Chargers in the final seconds of the first half.The first half ends with the Barons leading by five.Junior Isaac Chinchilla takes it baseline to baseline for a two-point lead, making the score 48-46 mid-way through the third quarter.Senior Kenneth Nguyen saves the ball moments before falling out of bounds.The third quarter ends with Barons down by four.After starting the fourth quarter 56-60, junior Isaac Chinchilla finishes with a difficult and-one layup to bring the Barons up 66-63.The crowd erupts in cheers after Chinchilla’s display.With less than two minutes left, the Chargers retake the lead and, down by two, the Barons look to score.Senior Kyler Yee makes a crucial two-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining.Senior Kaden Khuu fouls out.Senior Grant Wilson Manages a critical foul call.Unable to convert on offense and manage defensive stops, the Chargers pull through in the end, winning by four points.
