OCEAN VIEW TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS : Capistrano Valley Performs Balancing Act to Beat Loyola, 80-72

The notion that Capistrano Valley High School is a two-man basketball team was put to rest Wednesday night in the second round of the Tournament of Champions in Huntington Beach.

Capistrano Valley showed it has more to offer than forward Scott McCorkle and guard Chris Kostoff while scoring an 80-72 victory over Loyola in Ocean View High’s gymnasium.

The Cougars won their sixth consecutive game with a balanced attack that included the debut of guard Jose Salvatierra in the starting lineup and the support of McCorkle’s younger brother, Brett.

Salvatierra scored 14 points and Brett McCorkle added 12 points and 11 rebounds for Capistrano Valley.

Though Scott McCorkle and Kostoff were the big factors in the game, Coach Mark Thornton was encouraged with their supporting cast. Scott McCorkle led all scorers with 25 points and Kostoff added 21, including a three-pointer at the end of the third quarter that put Capistrano Valley ahead to stay, 56-54.

“We finally put one (game) together with all the cylinders running,” Thornton said. “I can’t remember a tougher second-round game in a tournament. It was a fun win with the team coming together like they did.

“When you enter tournaments like this one, you want to play these types of teams. They’re good, but we were confident we could beat them.”

Loyola (4-1) came into the game ranked ninth in the nation by USA Today. Six-foot-11 center Ryan Jamison was among four returning starters from a team that finished 22-3 last season.

Jamison scored 16 points and had 16 rebounds, but really wasn’t a factor in the fast-paced game. Capistrano Valley utilized its favorite weapon--the three-point shot--to remain in control most of the game.

Kostoff’s three-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter was the biggest play of the game, erasing a one-point Loyola lead and swinging the momentum to Capistrano Valley.

Scott McCorkle hit a three-point shot with 5:49 remaining to move Capistrano Valley ahead, 63-56. The Cougars finished off Loyola with free throws down the stretch.

“I never thought we were a two-man team,” Thornton said. “I think those who thought we were going to be are in for a big surprise.”