Mission Viejo Moves to Third by Upsetting Capistrano Valley

Mission Viejo stayed in the hunt for an automatic playoff berth by upsetting Capistrano Valley, 56-53, in a South Coast League boys’ basketball game Friday night at Mission Viejo High.

With the victory, Mission Viejo (17-8, 3-5) moves into a three-way tie for third place in league, with San Clemente and Trabuco Hills.

Late in the game, the Diablos found themselves in a familiar situation. Earlier in the season, Mission Viejo led the Cougars throughout the game, but Capistrano Valley rallied for the victory.

On Friday, Mission Viejo Coach Joe Reid saw the nightmare recurring. The Diablos, who led by as many as 10 points, let Capistrano Valley (14-11, 5-3) back in the game with under five minutes remaining, when Brad Thornton made two free throws to tie the score at 46.

But Mission Viejo’s Gabe Burt nailed a jump shot, and Baron Finneran hit two foul shots. The Diablos also capitalized on seven turnovers to take the lead for good.

“It feels so good,” Reid said. “We had the lead last time and let it slip away. Tonight my guys played their hearts out. Our defense deserves a lot of the credit.”

Mission Viejo’s Commander King and Burt played tight defense on the Cougars’ outside shooters, Dan Galvanoni and Randy Shepard, giving up only one three-pointer. With its outside game shut down, Capistrano Valley took the ball inside, where they were fouled. They hit eight of 10 free throws in the fourth to keep the score close.

Austin Moherman, a transfer from Mission Viejo, who was booed by Diablo fans whenever he touched the ball, led Capistrano Valley with 16 points and 10 rebounds, seven in the fourth quarter.

Burt led Mission Viejo with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Finneran added 15 points. Donald Williams grabbed nine rebounds and added six points.

In another South Coast League:

Mater Dei 64, San Clemente 59 (OT)--San Clemente’s Eli Engle scored with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime against top-ranked Mater Dei (25-1, 8-0).

Mike Vukovich scored four of his 18 points in overtime, helping Mater Dei outscore the Tritons (13-11, 3-5), 7-2. Mater Dei played without point guard Kevin Augustine, who has strep throat.

San Clemente, which lost to Mater Dei by 56 points in its first meeting, led, 14-9, after the first quarter and, 39-35, after three quarters.