Kennedy came out in an aggressive, attacking mode Tuesday at Edison. They discovered that the host Golden Bears’ counter-attack can be devastating.

Edison (9-6) scored eight unanswered points to finish the first quarter after Kennedy (2-12) pulled within a basket with 3:21 left in the period. A three-point shot from Cristobal Casas had made it 7-5.

The Golden Bears, coming off an impressive showing at the Marble Falls Tournament last weekend, followed that mini-run with a 25-4 run that concluded the third quarter. Edison won the non-district contest 71-45.

“We were fortunate,” Edison coach Art Vela said of the tournament. “We played in the tough bracket. That experience is really going to help us.

“We were playing sloppy basketball tonight, but we figured out that they had competed at a higher level last weekend (and adjusted). That tournament will give us good experience going into district.”

The Golden Bears spurt began with consecutive three-pointers from Lorenzo Vela, the coach’s son. A layup by Jared Zapata off an assist from Justin Torres ended the first half with Edison leading 15-5.

The young Rockets stayed close with a rare five-point possession early in the second quarter.

Isaac Castro drew a three-point play opportunity 37 seconds into the second quarter. Castro wasn’t able to convert the resulting free throw, but teammate Mark Esquivel was in position for the rebound. He passed the ball out to Keith Colorado, who spotted up for a three-pointer that made it 15-10.

Kennedy was within 31-21 at the half and closed to 36-25 after the Golden Bears began the second half with an 5-2 spurt.

“They are coming around,” second-year Rockets coach David Alonzo said of his team. “We lost two big scorers from last year. These guys are learning to rely on each other.”

MORE TO COME