DIVISIONS I AND II : Buena Beats Capistrano Valley

Capistrano Valley Coach Pete Belanto watched two tapes of top-seeded Ventura Buena before his team lost to the Bulldogs, 51-37, in a Southern Section Division I-A girls’ basketball quarterfinals Wednesday at Capistrano Valley.

“They are all talent,” Belanto said. “(Coach Joe Vaughan) hasn’t got 450 wins without some talent.”

The Bulldogs showed some of that talent, making few mistakes and hitting shots from all over the court, including 10 of 12 from the free-throw line.

Capistrano Valley (14-14) kept it close in the first half, down 25-18 and outrebounding Buena, 13-11. Jennifer Garrett had seven boards at the half, finishing with 12.

“I thought we played better than them,” Belanto said. “Jen got a lot of rebounds, but she couldn’t put them back in.”

The third quarter was all Buena (22-2). The Bulldogs put on the pressure, causing four consecutive Cougar turnovers and sparking a 14-2 run ending the third quarter up 42-24.

Susan Scott, who has led Capistrano Valley in the playoffs averaging 26 points, was held to 10, only one in the second half.

Katie Scott led the Cougars with 12.

“They are a great team, nobody is going to beat them,” Belanto said. “It was no disgrace losing to them.”

Michelle Giordano had a game-high 21 points for Buena.