4-AA Playoffs : Mission Viejo Survives Bad Night to Win : Diablos Are Bothered by Tustin Pressure but Manage 51-46 Victory

Anyone wondering why he or she paid $5 to see the Southern Section 4-AA first-round playoff game between Mission Viejo and Tustin high schools Wednesday night might take consolation in the fact that, as a fan, a bad game can be easily forgotten.

But it’s tough for a coach to forget, even when he walks away a winner. Mission Viejo Coach Bob Minier knows the feeling, especially after watching his Diablos settle for a 51-46 victory over Tustin Wednesday night at Mission Viejo High School.

“All I can say is we played good the first half, but tonight we just played terrible in the second,” Minier said.

Of course, some of the credit for Mission Viejo’s troubles must go to Tustin, which, after trailing, 32-22, at halftime, came out in the second half with a frenetic, full-court press. The Tillers forced nine turnovers in the third quarter, throwing the Diablos off their favored slow-tempo game. In that quarter Tustin outscored Mission Viejo, 6-4.

Had Tustin--which played without standout guard Cheavly Ly, who was taken out of the game midway through the first quarter and did not return because of disciplinary reasons--been able to capitalize on offense, the Tillers might be meeting Inglewood (15-8) in a second-round game Friday night. But Tustin shot only 30% in the game, including a 3-for-16 (19%) effort in the third quarter. Mission Viejo shot 47.5% in the game.

Matt Tanner scored 14 points and Greg Amaya 11 to lead Mission Viejo (12-12). Jason Moore had 16 points to lead Tustin (13-13).

Torrance 59, Servite 52--Host Torrance overcame a sluggish performance by opening the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run to take the lead for good at 48-42. Servite, dogged by the Tartars’ full-court pressure, did not score until 4:05 had elapsed in the period.

Servite (12-11) was hurt by turnovers (22) and poor free-throw shooting (six for 18). Torrance (15-10) made 20 of 30 foul shots, including 10 of 15 in the decisive fourth quarter.

Torrance’s Rick Robison led all scorers with 26 points, but made only six of 20 shots. He was better at foul line, converting 11 of 13 attempts.

Forward Steve Marusich led Servite with 18 points, but was held in check after scoring 10 in the first quarter.