BOYS’ BASKETBALL : SOUTH COAST LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Trabuco Hills Is Surprised by Capistrano Valley

Trabuco Hills, the fifth-ranked boys’ basketball team in Orange County, received a rude welcome to the South Coast League when unranked Capistrano Valley defeated the Mustangs, 64-55, Friday at Capistrano Valley High.

After Capistrano Valley (12-5, 1-0 in league) put the clamps on Trabuco Hills in the first half--limiting the Mustangs to 21 points--the game became more physical in the second half. Officials frequently blew whistles and the game turned into a free-throw shooting contest.

The teams combined for 55 free throws--46 in the second half--but the Cougars didn’t mind because they made 26 of 31 (84%) from the foul line.

Capistrano Valley guards Dan Galvanoni and Randy Shepard each scored 16 points and combined to make 12 of 13 free throws in the final five minutes, when the Cougars were protecting their fourth-quarter lead.

“We’ve been shooting well lately, but that’s the best we’ve done,” Capistrano Valley Coach Mark Thornton said. “It’s a great win for us. That’s a tough team we beat.”

Trabuco Hills (9-8, 0-1) never got untracked.

Although center Jonathan Paisley had 26 points and seven rebounds, leading scorer Rob Warnick managed only six points. Warnick, who entered the game averaging 17.5 points, didn’t score in the first half and made only one of 11 shots from the field.

Guard Nick Punto, a second-team all-league selection last season, also struggled, finishing with only one point before fouling out.

Trabuco Hills, which won the Pacific Coast League in five of the last six seasons before moving to the South Coast League this season, shot only 39% from the field but actually led in the third quarter.

Warnick’s only field goal gave the Mustangs a 30-27 lead with 4 minutes 41 seconds remaining in the third quarter, but Capistrano Valley responded with nine consecutive points to take control.

Trabuco Hills guard Laquent Fobbs, who had 11 points, including three three-pointers, tried to help the Mustangs rally, but Shepard and Galvanoni responded at the foul line, and Jose Velazquez added 11 points and three three-pointers.

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In other league games:

Mater Dei 93, Dana Hills 38--Schea Cotton scored 22 points and Shaun Jackson added 18 for visiting Mater Dei (17-1, 1-0), which led, 47-21, at halftime. Carl Mandrioli scored nine points for Dana Hills (7-8, 0-1).

Mission Viejo 65, San Clemente 54--Tyler Kalklosch scored 21 points and Mike Yancey added 17 for Mission Viejo (10-5, 1-0) Kalklosch made 13 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter and the teams combined for 71 free throws.

Mike Castaneda scored 16 points for San Clemente (8-8, 0-1).