GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Brea-Olinda Has Edge on Capistrano Valley

Two years ago, Jody Anton’s jumper with about 12 seconds left gave Brea-Olinda a two-point victory over Capistrano Valley in the championship game of the Irvine tournament.

There was no need for Jody Anton on Saturday.

Brea-Olinda, ranked fifth in the nation and seeking respite against an Orange League schedule that offers little challenge, used the Cougars as a whetstone to sharpen their game in a 72-31 nonleague victory at Capistrano Valley.

“These are the fun games to play,” said Brea’s Nicole Erickson, The Times Orange County player of the year in 1993. “The better the competition, the better we play.”

The Ladycats had runs of 10, 13 and 13 points, forced 29 turnovers, allowed the Cougars to get off only 35 shots and make only eight.

They held Susan Scott (averaging 24.5 points) without a field goal until she made a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in the third quarter. Scott had a team-high 14--including nine free throws. They held Jennifer Garrett (averaging 12.5 rebounds) to two points and two rebounds.

They did pretty much what they wanted. Colleen Hudson scored 20 points, Nicole Erickson 19 and Lee Moulin 16. Kiyoko Miller added nine.

But most importantly, Brea got an opportunity to stretch itself against a team outside the Orange League. The three-time defending State champions have taken this tack--playing decent county teams in midseason--to keep from getting stale.

“These games are very important for us,” said Erickson, who had six steals and three three-point baskets. “Even in a game like this, we were sloppy in the first half and had a lot of turnovers. This gives us some reality. We lose our edge a little bit (even though) this year we’ve done our best job of keeping up our level of play during league.”

Most teams would love to have Brea’s edge, even its dull one. The Ladycats may have committed four turnovers in the first quarter and five in the second, but they forced nine Capistrano Valley turnovers in each of the first two quarters. Brea turned the ball over only three times in the second half.

It’s safe to say the Ladycats judge themselves on a different level than most teams.

“We focus on how we play, not who we play,” Brea Coach John Hattrup said of being stuck in the Orange League, which Brea’s junior varsity might win. “When we play these (midseason nonleague) games, we play them like (the playoffs).

“This is what keeps us in shape for CIF. We consider these playoff games. That’s why we schedule them, so we stay in shape for the playoffs. These are CIF final or semifinal types of teams.”

Capistrano Valley played for the Division I-AA title last year. El Dorado--last week’s 84-37 victim--reached the III-AA semifinals. Next Saturday, Brea plays host to Mater Dei, which is ranked fourth in Orange County and fifth in the Southern Section’s Division I poll.

But Hattrup said the Orange League serves its purpose, too.

“The competition level is different,” Hattrup said, “. . . but everyone gets to play, everyone gets a chance to score. Not every league can have four or five good teams in its league.

“People have to realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime type of team. After this season, we’re not going to be fifth in the nation. This is a special group. It doesn’t matter who’s coaching this group.”