Orange Holiday Basketball Tournament : Fountain Valley Continues to Impress, Beats El Toro, 70-61

The biggest surprise of the 1988-89 prep basketball season? Certainly, it’s Fountain Valley High School.

Many figured Mater Dei, Saddleback, Ocean View and Capistrano Valley would be the top teams in Orange County this season, but the Barons have been most impressive.

Fountain Valley rolled to its 10th consecutive victory without a loss Wednesday night, holding off El Toro, 70-61, in the quarterfinals of the 24th Orange Holiday tournament in Chapman College’s Hutton Sports Center.

Guard Tom Weaver made 4 free throws in the final 38 seconds to move Fountain Valley into the semifinals at 8:50 tonight against the county’s top-ranked team, Mater Dei.

There’s nothing flashy about Fountain Valley. There’s no star player. But when it comes to teamwork, there isn’t anyone in the county that plays together better.

“We pass the ball well, we play hard and we’ve got pretty good depth,” said Dave Brown, Fountain Valley coach. “I thought we’d be doing quite well at this point, but the team has surprised me.”

The depth was evident against El Toro as forward Tim Hellbusch came off the bench to score a pair of key baskets in the second half. The Barons also showed they can shoot well, making 6 of 8 shots in the last quarter when El Toro got close.

Weaver, a senior, is the catalyst of the team. He scored 24 points and orchestrated the team flawlessly at point guard.

“Tom has the ability to penetrate as well as shoot the 3-point shot,” Brown said. “But his real qualities are his leadership and intensity. He’s the spark of this team.”

In other quarterfinal games:

Mater Dei 69, Foothill 63--Forward Charlie Andres made a pair of critical shots in the final 2 minutes for Mater Dei (13-1). Guard Dylan Rigdon scored 15 points, including 2 free throws with 36 seconds remaining. Foothill forward Mark Wilkinson led all scorers with 28 points.

Saddleback 65, Dominguez 53--Saddleback (11-1) opened a 23-7 lead in the first quarter, making 9 of 16 shots and pressuring Dominguez into 7 turnovers.

Capistrano Valley 59, Marina 53--Scott McCorkle scored 21 points and Bill Mazurie 18 to lead Capistrano Valley. Cherokee Parks had 22 points and 16 rebounds for Marina.

In consolation games:

Kennedy 63, Fullerton 44--Junior guard Jim Barker scored 21 points to lead Kennedy (7-4). Guard Pete Bach scored 17 points for Fullerton (6-5).

L.B. Wilson 63, Orange 54--Forward Sheldon Grigsby scored 18 points and Josh Levine added 16 points for Wilson (9-4).

Orange Lutheran 71, University 65--Forward Daryl Cole scored 23 points, making 13 of 14 free throws, to lead Orange Lutheran (7-2).