Boys’ Roundup : Capistrano Valley Goes Inside to Stop El Toro

Capistrano Valley High School took advantage of its aggressive defense and superior size to defeat El Toro, 64-47, Tuesday night in their South Coast League opener played in front of 1,500 at Saddleback College.

The Chargers were in the game until late in the third quarter when the Cougars (13-2) reeled off nine straight points. The big play was a Nathan Call steal and feed to Shawn Reed, who made a layup to give the Cougars a 38-27 advantage. Reed, averaging 16 points per game, was the leading scorer with 21 points.

Capistrano Valley had a balanced attack offensively, moving the ball inside to its front line of 6-foot 9-inch Jason Trask, who scored 11 points, and 6-9 John Waikle, who scored 10. They helped the Cougars outrebound the Chargers, 22-12.

“Our height really put pressure on their younger and shorter team,” said Capistrano Valley Coach Mark Thornton.

The Cougars looked sluggish near the end of the first half and were only leading by three, 22-19. They improved midway through the third quarter when they took a 14-point lead, 45-31.

“I was pleased with our intensity in the second half,” Thornton said. “This was a good way for us to start the league season. El Toro is a well-coached team, and their floor leader, Bret Johnson, played a fine game.”

Johnson scored 15 points for El Toro (6-7). Cory Wayland added 14 points.

“Everybody is up for us, and this is how we get better,” Thornton said. “We will have to work hard every game.”

Call had 11 points and added 5 assists for Capistrano Valley.

“He played another tremendous game getting the ball inside for our big men, and that was the difference,” Thornton said.

In nonleague action:

Long Beach Wilson 69, Bolsa Grande 66--As the Matadors were looking for the go-ahead basket, Randy West made a steal and scored on a fast-break layup to lead the Bruins to the win at Bolsa Grande High. Darren Rector scored 22 points and John Brotz added 17 points for Long Beach Wilson. Four players, Hung Nguyen (20 points), Nam Cao (15), Joe Small (13) and Andy Trechsler (12), scored in double figures for the Matadors.

La Quinta 71, Westminster 66 (overtime)--Ricky Wilson made four free throws in the final minute of overtime to help the Aztecs defeat the Lions at La Quinta High. Kenny Bennett scored 17 points and Arri Buford added 12 points for the Aztecs, who improve to 3-7.

Los Amigos 53, Anaheim 47--Geno Howard scored 16 points and Gene Altimirano added 11 points to help the Lobos defeat the Colonists at Los Amigos High. The Lobos improve to 7-5. Anaheim’s Tony Robuffo was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points.

St. Margeret’s 70, Wilmington Christian 20--Rob Lee scored 18 points and Dave Westendorf added 12 points to help the Tartans (4-5) to the victory at Wilmington Christian.

In Olympic League action:

Valley Christian 57, Capistrano Valley Christian 36--Tom Vousema scored 13 points to lead the Crusaders (10-1) past the Eagles (5-3) at Valley Christian High in the league opener.

Ontario Christian 76, Orange Lutheran 49--Neal Zwart scored a game-high 24 points to help the Knights (7-4) defeat the Lancers at Orange Lutheran High. Mike Krabbe led the Lancers with 16 points.