Laguna Beach Tournament : Free Throws Give Capo Valley Win

Frank Aguilar made two free throws with two seconds remaining to lift Capistrano Valley High School over Huntington Beach, 72-71, in a semifinal game of the Laguna Beach tournament at Laguna Beach High Friday night.

The Cougars (2-0) meet Warren High of Downey in the final at 7:30 tonight.

Coach Mark Thornton knew it was going to be a tough night when his 6-foot 10-inch junior center Steve McCaughey missed the bus to the game. But it got worse.

Sophomore forward Scott McCorkle went out with an eye injury in the first period, and 7-foot center Jim Waikle was benched with three fouls in the first period.

“Call it coming through under adversity,” Thornton said.

Todd Marinovich kept the Cougars in the game with seven three-pointers. Marinovich finished with 27 points. The Oilers were paced by Rich Hughes, who hit 9 of 12 from the three-point range to finish with 27 points.

In the other semifinal:

Warren 62, Tustin 59 (triple overtime)--Forward John Kirk scored 29 points, 12 in the fourth quarter and 7 in the three overtime periods, to lead the Bears (3-0). Tustin (2-1) was paced by Leo Parker, a 6-6 senior center, who scored 24 points. “We lost our composure,” said Tom McCluskey, Tustin coach. “That won’t happen again while I’m coaching this team.”