They’re in a League of Their Own

San Clemente Coach Brad Davis isn’t interested in taking his team into the Southern Section playoffs by virtue of the 11-win rule. He’d rather get in with a team that finishes among the top three in league.

The Tritons (11-4, 0-2) almost helped their chances Friday, nearly upsetting third-ranked El Toro on the road. San Clemente led by 15 points in the first half, but an 18-0 run put the Chargers ahead for good.

“With our pressure defense, we can put up a lot of points and give up a lot,” Davis said. “There’s usually a four- to five-minute stretch where we let teams back into games.”

In addition to San Clemente-El Toro, the South Coast League showed its competitiveness in other games last week.

Seventh-ranked Capistrano Valley went to overtime Friday night before defeating Mission Viejo, 72-67.

On the opening night of league play Wednesday, the three games were settled by an average difference of five points.

El Toro is the top-ranked team in the latest Southern Section Division I-AA poll. San Clemente is ranked fifth in the division and Mission Viejo is sixth. Capistrano Valley is ranked 10th in Division I-AAA and Trabuco Hills is listed among “others” in Division I-A.

WELCOME RETURN

Buena Park had one of the bigger upsets last week, defeating Sunny Hills on the road Friday.

The Coyotes (5-13, 1-1) outscored the Lancers (12-6, 1-1) by eight points in the fourth quarter and won the Freeway League game, 47-43.

Randy Urias, who missed the previous six games while visiting relatives in Utah, scored 16 points to lead Buena Park. Urias, a point guard, made two free throws with five seconds left to seal the victory.

LOOKING AHEAD

El Toro should get one of its toughest tests of the season Wednesday when the Chargers (17-1, 2-0) travel to play Capistrano Valley (15-2, 2-0) in a South Coast League showdown.

On Friday, Loara (13-5, 2-0) plays at El Dorado (16-2, 2-0) in a meeting of Empire League leaders.

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If you have an item or idea for the boys’ basketball report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at: ben.bolch@latimes.com

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BOYS’ BASKETBALL TOP 10

Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll

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Pos. School (League) Rec Pts 1. Mater Dei (1) Serra 17-2 60 2. El Toro (3) S. Coast 17-1 54 3. Santa Margarita (2) Serra 16-2 47 4. Villa Park (4) Century 14-3 37 5. Ocean View (5) G. West 15-3 31 6. Capistrano Valley (7) S. Coast 14-2 30 7. Woodbridge (6) Sea View) 13-4 28 8. Newport Harbor (8) Sea View 16-3 17 9. El Dorado (9) Empire 16-2 16 10. Sonora (NR) Freeway 16-3 8

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*Last week’s ranking in parentheses

Others: San Clemente (11-4) 2