BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Capistrano Valley Crushes El Toro, 81-36

If speed kills, El Toro High School’s boys’ basketball team was left for dead Monday night at Saddleback College.

Capistrano Valley’s quickness was too much for El Toro and resulted in a humbling 81-36 loss in South Coast League play.

El Toro (9-8, 1-2 in league) failed to score a field goal until 2 minutes 57 seconds remained in the first half, missing its opening 18 shots. Reserve Jason Senik ended the drought by rebounding his own missed shot, but by then, El Toro was hopelessly behind, 31-12.

The blowout continued when Capistrano Valley guard Tom Airey made a three-point shot at the buzzer ending the half to push the Cougars ahead, 42-14. Capistrano Valley’s biggest lead was 54-16 in the third quarter.

“It was the worst loss in my life,” said Tim Travers, El Toro coach. “That was the best team we’ve played all year. They can’t play any better, and we certainly helped to contribute.”

Capistrano Valley (16-3, 3-0) blocked 10 shots and also shot very well, making 25 of 43 field-goal attempts through three quarters before Coach Mark Thornton emptied his bench.

“We played very well in every facet of the game,” Thornton said. “We played with a lot of intensity. I think the football rivalry gets the players fired up.”

Capistrano Valley’s pressure defense was responsible for El Toro’s miserable shooting. El Toro shot only 14%, making eight of 56 shots. Forward Rob Johnson, who came into the game averaging 27.9 points, left with 5:35 remaining and 12 points. Johnson was two for 17 from the field.

Airey led Capistrano Valley with 17 points, hitting five three-point shots. Airey has made 101 three-pointers this season.

Bret McCorkle added 12 points, nine rebounds and nine blocked shots in his best overall performance of the season. But the biggest response of the evening came when seldom-used reserve Jason McGee hit a three-point shot in the fourth quarter, adding to a forgettable night for El Toro.

In other South Coast League games:

Irvine 47, Dana Hills 38--Dana Hills held a 35-30 lead after three quarters but failed to score a field goal in the final quarter and lost at Irvine. The Dolphins, who could manage only three free throws, were outscored, 17-3, in the fourth quarter.

John Molle scored 20 points and Brian Boothroyd had 13 for Irvine (16-2, 3-0). Dana Hills is 9-9, 1-2.

San Clemente 62, Mission Viejo 54--Morgan Banister and Eddie Moore scored 19 points each for San Clemente (9-8, 1-2). Mark Wright had 16 and Matt Brummel 15 for Mission Viejo (5-13, 0-3).