Capistrano Valley Takes Top Spot in Final Poll

Capistrano Valley High School became the first team in six seasons to dethrone Mater Dei as the top-ranked team in the final Orange County Sportswriters’ Assn. prep basketball poll.

Earlier this season, the Cougars (22-4) became the first county school to defeat Mater Dei, 57-55, in six years under Coach Gary McKnight. Mater Dei (17-7) was third in the poll.

Santa Ana (23-3), second in the poll, was the top-ranked team in the final football poll.

The writers’ poll:

Pos. School (League) Record 1. Capistrano Valley (South Coast) 22-4 2. Santa Ana (Century) 23-3 3. Mater Dei (Angelus) 17-7 4. Saddleback (Sea View) 22-4 5. El Toro (South Coast) 19-5 6. Ocean View (Sunset) 15-7 7. Tustin (Sea View) 20-5 8. Los Alamitos (Empire) 19-6 9. Savanna (Orange) 21-4 10. Marina (Sunset) 18-6

Others Receiving Votes: Sunny Hills (20-3) and Woodbridge (18-5).