SOUTH COAST LEAGUE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Capistrano Valley Survives Dana Hills

For three quarters Friday night at Dana Hills High School, fourth-ranked Capistrano Valley looked as if it would be the second consecutive South Coast League team to fall victim to Dana Hills’ four-corner offense.

But the Cougars (15-3, 2-0 in league) recovered with 25 points in the fourth quarter to erase a three-point deficit and win, 59-48.

“I was really scared when we were behind and they went to their four corners,” Capistrano Valley Coach Mark Thornton said. “They ran it so well, it didn’t matter what defense we had.”

Dana Hills used the same tactic Wednesday night to beat El Toro, 83-63, and Friday they combined it with a tight zone defense to stifle the Cougars for three quarters.

While Dana Hills (9-7, 1-1) made nine of 14 shots (64%) in the second and third quarters to build its lead, Capistrano Valley made just 12 of 33 shots (36%) through the first three periods.

Tom Airey was the Cougars’ only outside threat, scoring 15 points on five three-pointers, while his teammates made one of 10 three-pointers in the game.

Keith Barnett carried the offense early for Dana Hills, scoring 14 of his game-high 16 points in the opening half as Dana Hills took a 25-23 lead at the break.

But the Cougars made seven of 12 shots from the field in the final quarter, and outscored the Dolphins, 12-2, over a 4-minute 30-second span midway through the period, turning a 41-41 tie into a 53-43 lead with a minute to play.

“We might have been fatigued in the fourth quarter,” Dana Hills Coach Rich Skelton said. “A couple guys tried to carry us on their shoulders down the stretch, but Capo just double- and triple-teamed them.

Brett McCorkle had 14 points and eight rebounds for Capistrano Valley. Derrick Walsh had 12 for Dana Hills.