Compton Overcomes Big Edison Lead to Win in Overtime, 86-73

COMPTON —  Compton High School survived on pure perseverance Friday night. And because of their will, the Tarbabes will play in a Southern Section championship game for the first time in 21 years.

Compton wore down and eventually overcame Edison in overtime, 86-73, in the semifinals of 4-AA playoffs at Dominguez High School. The Tarbabes will play Glendora for the championship Thursday night at UC Irvine’s Bren Center. A victory would give Compton its first title since 1969.

It was the second time this season that Compton had defeated Edison. In December, the Tarbabes scored a 64-61 decision in the semifinals of the Irvine tournament.

Being familiar with his opponent, Compton Coach Curtis Knight knew that Compton had to work on Edison’s inside players, 6-foot-10 Bill Martineau and 6-4 Brandon Jessie.

Both were in foul trouble late in the game, and Martineau fouled out in overtime.

“When Martineau fouled out, it gave our kids confidence,” Knight said. “They knew that with him out, there would be no one to block their shots.”

Regulation ended with the score tied, 71-71. The Tarbabes then scored the first seven points in overtime and held the Chargers without a field goal.

“I told the kids that we could wear Edison down,” Knight said. “We had to just keep coming at them.”

The Chargers did fade in the fourth quarter. Edison was in control most of the game but saw a seven-point lead evaporate in the final five minutes of regulation.

Compton (22-6) scored seven consecutive points to tie the score, 67-67, with 2:24 left. The score was tied, 71-71, with 36 seconds left, and Edison had two chances to win it, but Martineau missed a five-foot bank shot, and then Dan Lovelady came up short on a 17-foot jumper at the buzzer.

Compton went to work on Martineau early in the game to get him in foul trouble. Center James Williams was the focal point of the offense as the Tarbabes posted him up early and often.

Williams finished with 33 points, 20 after halftime. When Martineau picked up his fourth foul with 4:39 left in regulation, Williams became even more of a presence.

He scored five points in the Tarbabes’ 7-0 run that tied the game, 67-67, and had four points in overtime.

“When Martineau and Jessie got their fourth fouls, we came right at them,” Knight said. “They couldn’t play aggressive defense with four fouls. We took advantage of that.”

Martineau and Jessie also represented the bulk of the Charger offense. Jessie scored 25 points and Martineau 23.

They also dominated play throughout most of the game.

Jessie scored 16 points in the first half and Martineau 12 to give the Chargers a 41-34 lead.at the intermission. Jessie also had seven rebounds as Edison had a 17-6 rebound advantage.

However, Williams and Darnell Patterson took over in the second half. Williams finished with 17 rebounds and Patterson 10. Patterson also scored 15 points.

Still the Chargers led, 57-45, with three minutes left in the third quarter.