South Coast League : Mission Viejo’s Intensity Proves Too Much for Irvine, 58-42

The intensity level was turned up a notch for Mission Viejo High School Wednesday night as the Diablos beat Irvine, 58-42, in South Coast League play at Mission Viejo.

The Diablos improve to 3-2 in league and 14-5 overall. Irvine is 3-2, 11-9.

“Tonight we played with defensive intensity,” said Bob Minier, Mission Viejo coach. “We moved the ball around extremely well and got our fast break going early.”

The Diablos led at halftime, 27-15. Guard Todd Matthews hit three long-range jump shots in the half and forward Jeff Herdman made three baseline shots to spark the offense.

Mission Viejo increased its lead to 38-20 when center Jeff Springfield tipped in a missed shot by Matthews with 1:32 remaining in the third quarter. The Diablos led by as many as 22 points in the second half.

Herdman and Irvine guard Mike Herring led all scorers with 12 points. Herring came into the game averaging 17.6 points per game.

Mission Viejo outrebounded Irvine, 31-27, with Herdman gaining nine rebounds.

Capistrano Valley 89, San Clemente 76--Scott McCullough, Randy Stark and Todd Kostoff each scored 20 points to lead the Cougars (4-1) at San Clemente. San Clemente (0-5, 4-15) trailed by four with six minutes remaining. Rob Buhler led San Clemente with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

El Toro 63, Dana Hills 50--Cory Wayland, a junior center, scored 17 points to lead the Chargers (4-1, 14-7) at Dana Hills. Bret Johnson added 13 for El Toro. Tim McSweeney scored 14 points to lead the Dolphins (1-4, 3-14).