Trabuco Hills, Wulf Find a Way to Beat Capistrano Valley

Trabuco Hills overcame what Coach Rainer Wulf calls “Capo Phobia,” and in the process earned Wulf his 100th career victory Tuesday night.

The host Mustangs made all eight of their free throws in overtime, including two by Brian Karnoff with eight seconds left, to earn an 83-78 victory.

It marked the first time in three games that Trabuco Hills (13-3) has beaten Capistrano Valley (9-7).

“It was the sweetest 100th victory a coach could ever have,” said Wulf, now in his sixth season at Trabuco Hills. “We’ve got over Capo Phobia. We’ve always played well against them, but had never beaten them. They’ve been the established program for years and we’re the new kid on the block in this area, so that made the win even more sweet.”

The game showcased two of the premier point guards in the county--Trabuco Hills’ Brett Poulos and Capistrano Valley’s David Sedgwick--and the seniors didn’t disappoint the near-capacity crowd.

Poulos led all scorers with 26 points, including eight of his team’s 14 points in the three-minute overtime period. Poulos started slowly, scoring only three points in the first half, but then scored 17 of his team’s 33 points the rest of the way.

“Maybe now, somebody will recognize that Brett Poulos is one of the top point guards in the county,” Wulf said.

Sedgwick also started slowly and then missed half of the third quarter when he picked up his fourth personal foul. He finished with 23 points, including five of his team’s nine points in overtime.

Trabuco Hills also got a big game from Karnoff, who finished with 20 points and had four three-point baskets. Wulf claims Karnoff is the best-kept secret in the county.

“He’s growing every game,” Wulf said. “He can really shoot the three-pointer.”

Karnoff made two big three-point shots midway through the fourth quarter that pushed Trabuco Hills ahead, 57-55, and then the teams exchanged leads down the stretch.

Trabuco Hills appeared to have the game won with 1 minute 18 seconds remaining, when center Matt Moore made two free throws for a 69-64 lead. But Capistrano Valley capitalized on two quick turnovers and then sent the game into overtime when Corey Kost made two free throws with 30 seconds left in regulation.

Capistrano Valley had an opportunity to win the game in regulation, but Sedgwick missed an off-balance shot with two seconds remaining and the score tied, 69-69.