Unbeaten South Coast Rivals Meet

It would be difficult to manufacture better-matched teams than Mission Viejo and Capistrano Valley high schools, the antagonists in a pivotal South Coast League game at 7:30 tonight at Mission Viejo.

In the last six years, the Diablos and Cougars have each won three South Coast championships, with the Diablos deceiving everyone last year and stealing away with the title.

Neither team was able to gain the upper hand last season when they split their league meetings. The rivals met most recently in the Irvine Tournament’s fifth-place game a month ago, and that contest was even until the hard-running Cougars scored 13-straight points in the fourth quarter to race away with a 65-50 win.

Mission Viejo (2-0 in league, 13-3 overall) and Capistrano Valley (3-0, 15-2) are the only teams that are unbeaten in South Coast play.

“One thing a little different about (Capistrano Valley) this year is that they may not be quite as mobile and quick, but they’re physically stronger,” Diablo Coach Bob Minier said. “But we’re not going to back down, for sure.”

This game also pairs two of the most versatile and frequently compared point guards in Orange County. Capistrano Valley’s Nathan Call, a 6-0 junior, leads the county in assists with an average of 9.8 per game, while Mission Viejo’s Tom Desiano, a 6-1 senior, is No. 2 with an average of 7.9 per game.

In other South Coast league action, Irvine is at Dana Hills and Laguna Hills is at San Clemente. ANGELUS LEAGUE Mater Dei (1-0, 16-0) at Bishop Montgomery (0-1, 4-10)--The Monarchs travel to Torrance in pursuit of their 24th-straight league victory, a quest which the sixth-place Knights are unlikely to foil. “This is really one of the easiest games to coach,” Knight Coach Tim Haley said. “There’s no pressure on us. We just have to shoot well and rebound well, and hope they have one of their down games.” When was the last time the Monarchs had one of their down games? “Oh . . . probably about three years ago,” Haley said. Also: St. Paul at Servite and Bishop Amat at Pius X. CENTURY LEAGUE El Modena (3-0, 9-3) at Foothill (2-1, 11-4)--The league’s only perfect record may get besmirched tonight when the Vanguards venture onto the Knights’ home court. The Vanguards have an inside advantage with 6-7 Colin Moss, and offensive support from a fine set of guards, Jason Hamlin and Ryan Rycraw. But the shorter Knights are always difficult to defend because of their well-distributed scoring ability and patience. Also: Villa Park at Orange; Santa Ana at Tustin; and Santa Ana Valley at Canyon. EMPIRE LEAGUE Katella (2-2, 10-3) at Los Alamitos (2-2, 5-8)--Both the Knights and the Griffins, who share third place in the league, would like to use tonight’s game as a springboard out of their recent woes. The Griffins, despite their towering size, have not played up to their potential, and the Knights are still trying to regroup following injuries to two of their biggest players. “We’d rather be on the top looking down than be on the bottom looking up,” Katella Coach Tom Danley said. “Right now we’re in the middle and we’re hoping to pick up some ground.” Also: Kennedy at Esperanza, Pacifica at El Dorado and Cypress at Loara. FREEWAY LEAGUE Buena Park (6-6) at Fullerton (9-5)--The entire league has been wondering whether the resurgent Indians are for real, and tonight that question may be answered. Since the Coyotes are the only other team in the league with a .500 record, they may be the only ones with a fair chance of upsetting the Indians. Also: La Habra at Sunny Hills and Troy at Sonora. GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE Rancho Alamitos (5-8) at Santiago (7-5)--The Vaqueros will have the height advantage, but that might be offset by the Cavaliers’ speed in the league opener. Also: La Quinta at Los Amigos and Bolsa Grande at Garden Grove. ORANGE LEAGUE Valencia (8-5) at Anaheim (2-9)--Tiger Coach Ray Rodriguez says he can’t be sure what strategies to expect from the Colonists, since tonight’s opener will be Anaheim Coach Conrad Byars’ first league game. But Valencia will be difficult to beat because of its height, well-rounded abilities, and the experience earned through a challenging nonleague schedule. Also: Savanna at Magnolia and Brea-Olinda at Western. SEA VIEW LEAGUE Saddleback (3-0, 10-4) at Newport Harbor (3-0, 12-2)--Having ousted Corona del Mar and Estancia, the Sailors face their third difficult game in a row. The Roadrunners, powered by Bryant and Mark Walton, are tall, talented and 10th-ranked in the county. They have been searching for their ideal form, and if they find it tonight, the second-ranked Sailors could be in for a struggle. SUNSET LEAGUE Ocean View (1-0, 12-3) at Edison (1-0, 9-5)--The Chargers, led by forward Baron Coenen, will have their work cut out for them in containing Ocean View’s inside and outside threats, Ricky Butler and Mike Labat. The Seahawks are ranked fifth in the county. Also: Marina at Fountain Valley and Westminster at Huntington Beach.