DIVISION I : Capo Valley Eliminates Westchester

Capistrano Valley, playing without offensive star Tom Airey, turned to its defense Thursday night.

The Cougars held Westchester to one field goal in the final 3 minutes 14 seconds and came away with a 57-53 victory in the semifinals of the Southern California Division I Regional at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Westchester (28-3), the No. 2-seeded team in the regional, led most of the game but wilted under the Cougars’ pressure. The Comets missed their last five shots, including a three-pointer by Jason Sanders that would have tied the score with 27 seconds left.

The Cougars (30-3) made seven of 10 free throws in the final three minutes, five by guard Aaron Rhoades.

He made one of two free throws with 14 seconds to give Capistrano Valley a 57-53 lead.

It was an improbable victory for the Cougars, who did not have their best offensive weapon. Airey, who had made 127 three-pointers, suffered a broken foot in Saturday’s Southern Section I-AA championship game and is out for the remainder of the season.

Without Airey, the Cougars took turns leading the offense. Center Steve Ransom scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half to keep the Cougars close.

Westchester led at one point, 27-21, but Capistrano Valley scored the final four points of the half.

Reserve Jeff Rosales scored 11 points, five in the third quarter when Westchester had built a 38-32 lead.

Rosales made a three-pointer with 32 seconds left to cut the Comets’ lead to 38-35.

It was then left up to Rhoades, who had 12 points, and Corey Kost, who had 10. Kost started in Airey’s spot.