LAGUNA HILLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Capistrano Valley Christian Takes Control, Wins

LAGUNA HILLS — Capistrano Valley Christian played a patient and controlled game against Mission Viejo in the championship game of the Laguna Hills boys’ basketball tournament, and the strategy worked.

Although Mission Viejo came within three points in the last minute, Capistrano Valley Christian defeated the Diablos, 53-41, Friday night at Laguna Hills.

Troy Rodarmel, tournament MVP, had a game-high 19 points and five rebounds for the Eagles (4-0), who held Mission Viejo to two points in the first quarter and six in the second. The halftime score was 20-8.

“Slowing down the game is not something we do all the time,” said Capistrano Valley Christian Coach Art Jenkins, who said the championship was a first for the small school that boasts a student population of 220. “We couldn’t match up and run with them, so we controlled the game.”

Jenkins said the key was having Jeff Jennings guard Mission Viejo’s Jeff Carr, who had 18 points. Mission Viejo (2-2) got back into the game when Jennings and 6-foot-5 Chuck Carlsen, the only Eagle taller than 6-1, each picked up four fouls in the third quarter.