Buena High Proves Semi-Tough

Buena High’s athletic program has enjoyed semi-sweet success in the Southern Section playoffs this season. In three sports, the Bulldogs have been knocked out in the semifinals.

In football, Canyon beat Buena, 45-14.

In boys’ basketball, Capistrano Valley defeated Buena, 84-71.

And in girls’ basketball, Hart upended the Lady Bulldogs, 78-68, in overtime.

Buena, however, has spent more time celebrating than telling sob stories about what might have been.

All three teams had so many obstacles to overcome that a .500 record would have been considered a success.

The football team went 2-8 in 1987 and was a perennial doormat in the Channel League until Rick Scott took over the program this season.

The boys’ basketball team lost two all-county players--Shawn Kirkeby and Mike Sandoval--and was picked to finish a distant third in the Channel League.

Buena has had one of the most successful girls’ basketball programs in the Southern Section, but the team lost two starters to season-ending injuries.

“I’m really proud of the job our coaches have done,” athletic director and girls’ basketball Coach Joe Vaughan said. “We have a lot of kids that don’t mind working hard and coaches that put the time and effort into developing winning programs.

“Sure, we’re disappointed that we’ve lost in the semifinals in three sports. But how many schools have had as much success?”

Buena also reached the playoffs in girls’ tennis and boys’ and girls’ soccer.