Mission Viejo Makes Playoff Splash

Mission Viejo didn’t garner one vote this season in the Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll, so expectations were modest for the Diablos heading into the Southern Section Division I-AA boys’ basketball playoffs.

But those who follow Mission Viejo and junior Travis Niesen realize the Diablos may be on the brink of something big.

Niesen, who averages 21.1 points and 10.4 rebounds, gives Mission Viejo one of the section’s top offensive threats. And when other teams focus on stopping Niesen, it opens up the floor for the Diablos’ other players.

That was the case in a first-round game Friday, when Jurupa Valley sent two men to guard Niesen every time he caught the ball. The ploy allowed point guard Mykel Valentine to step up, and he scored 16 points in the Diablos’ 61-41 victory. Niesen still had 13 points and seven rebounds.

“[Niesen] has really come into his own and still has a bit of an upside,” Mission Viejo Coach Jeff Cunningham said. “He’s matured a lot and is shooting over 50% from the field.”

Niesen set the school’s single-game scoring record earlier in the season when he scored 44 points against Oceanside. In less than three full varsity seasons, the 6-foot-7 forward has established school records for career scoring and rebounding.

He will need to keep the trend going if the Diablos (17-10) are to continue their playoff run. Next up is a second-round home game tonight against San Bernardino Cajon (20-6).

“We’re expecting to win against Cajon and are getting tapes against future teams we might play,” Niesen said. “We’re looking ahead. But we’re not going to underestimate anyone.”

RECORD SETTERS

Marina guard Beau Brown set his school’s single-season record for three-pointers Friday when he made his 79th in the Vikings’ 72-61 loss to La Crescenta Crescenta Valley in the first round of the Division I-AA playoffs. The previous record of 78 was set by Matt Kiem in 1992. Brown also finished second in school history for single-season assists with 189, behind only former Notre Dame standout Rich Branning, who had 213 in 1974.

Foothill guard Chad Bigler set his school’s single-season scoring record with 729 points, breaking Rich Thomas’ record of 658 points, set in 1982. Bigler also holds the school career scoring record with 1,624 points.

LOOKING AHEAD

Los Alamitos (19-6) has an opportunity to show that its 10-0 Sunset League record means something tonight when the Griffins travel to play Capistrano Valley (24-3) in the second round of the Division I-AAA playoffs.

If you have an item or idea for the high school boys’ basketball report, you can call us at (714) 966-7826 or e-mail us at ben.bolch@latimes.com