Capistrano Valley Eliminates University

University and Capistrano Valley began the season with lofty expectations, and both were named among the county’s top 10 teams in preseason polls.

They promptly dropped out.

But they matched up Thursday in the first round of the Southern Section Division I-A girls’ basketball playoffs, one team dominated by seniors trying to make good on unfulfilled potential, another dominated by sophomores trying to make good on hope.

It was a good night for hope.

Capistrano Valley, starting three sophomores and a junior, scored a 57-52 victory over University, saddling the Trojans with their fifth first-round loss in six seasons.

The Cougars won because they shot well from the free-throw line (nine for 12), avoided costly turnovers (12 compared to University’s 20) and made a clutch basket when they needed it (Mary Anderson, driving the lane).

Capistrano Valley (17-9) plays second-seeded Ventura Buena (24-1) on Saturday. The site will be determined today. University finished 15-11.

“This was extremely important [for a young team],” Cougar Coach Pete Belanto said. “If you lose to Buena, you have a lot of excuses and there’s nothing to hang your head about. Being in a game like this will do nothing but help us in the future.”

Despite some sophomore mistakes--Anderson committed two fouls in the final two minutes--the Cougars stretched their 50-49 lead over the final 2 minutes 36 seconds. Sophomore Sarina Kissel (16 points) made a free throw, sophomore Natasha Combs (16 points) followed with a basket inside, and then Anderson’s aggressive drive to the basket buried the Trojans with 45 seconds left, making it 55-49. Combs added two more free-throws before University’s Jerri Armendariz (10 points) made a three-point basket with six seconds left.

Anderson finished with 12 points and four steals.

University sophomore Monique Mathews led all players with 22 points, 11 rebounds and a 10-for-15 shooting performance.