ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL : New Style Seems to Fit Capo Valley : Despite Appearances, McCullough Suitable Leader in 53-45 Win

Capistrano Valley High School’s Scott McCullough may have been wearing a jersey better suited for 7-foot teammate Jim Waikle, but there was nothing wrong with the 5-foot 10-inch guard’s jump shot Wednesday night.

McCullough made six consecutive shots from the 20-foot range in the second half as the Cougars beat Edison, 53-45, at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

McCullough was wearing a new uniform that only arrived Wednesday morning. His jersey was about five sizes too big. He continually pulled his shoulder strap up while running down the court.

“The guy who made the uniforms came to the game tonight to see if everything fit,” said Capistrano Valley Coach Steve Thornton. “He felt bad because they arrived a day late, and then he saw how bad the jersey fit Scott.”

The Cougars had to play in the school’s sophomore team uniforms on Tuesday night in a 60-57 overtime victory over Foothill. Seems it doesn’t matter what they wear--Capistrano Valley seems suited to winning.

“We’re not the same team we’ve been in the past, but the ‘W’ is the same result,” said Thornton. Capistrano Valley has won three South Coast League titles the past five years.

The days of run-and-gun basketball are over at Capistrano Valley. They’ve been replaced by a slower, more methodical brand of basketball that stresses defense. And why not? Thornton has the 7-foot Waikle and 6-10 forward Steve McCaughey on the roster.

“When they’ve got players who are 7-foot and 6-10, it will give any team like ours problems with 6-2 and 6-3 forwards,” said Edison Coach Jon Borchert. “I told my players this game was a learning experience for us. I feel good about these kids.”

Scott DeStefano was impressive for the Chargers. He made three straight baskets in the first quarter as the Chargers opened an 8-2 lead, but Capistrano Valley responded with 16 points in the second quarter to take a 22-14 halftime lead.

The score was tied, 37-37, early in the fourth quarter when Cougar forward Todd Kostoff and McCullough went to work. McCullough hit two long jumpers and Kostoff added a three-point play with 2:24 remaining to push Capistrano Valley ahead for good, 48-41.

The Cougars made six of eight shots in the last quarter and six of eight free-throw tries to sew up the win.