Capistrano Valley

Bryce Alderton Any anxiety associated with Mike Evans' first game as Corona del Mar High's boys water polo coach was quickly extinguished by a simple philosophy: executing the game plan. The host Sea Kings scored three first-period goals and contained Capistrano Valley enough to post a 7-2 nonleague victory in both team's opener Tuesday at CdM High. "There are always first-game jitters, but we did well," Evans said. "We played good, heads-up ball today with the steals ... the defense did a good job closing the gaps and guys put the ball away when they had a shot in front of the cage.

TODAY Volleyball High school girls -- Corona del Mar at Capistrano Valley, 5 p.m.; Rancho Alamitos at Sage Hill, 3:30 p.m. College women -- Concordia at Vanguard, 7 p.m. Water polo High school boys -- Capistrano Valley at Corona del Mar, 3:15 p.m.; Long Beach Wilson vs. Newport Harbor at Corona del Mar, 6 p.m.; Costa Mesa at Tesoro, 3 p.m.; Savanna at Estancia, 3:15 p.m.; Sage Hill vs. Woodbridge at...

Colors: Black, orange and white. League: Sunset. 2002 record: 3-7, 0-5 in league. Type of offense: West Coast. Type of defense: Four-four. Head coach: Mike Groscost (second year, 3-7). Staff: Dan Brummett (defensive coordinator); Benji Medure (running backs, linebackers); Stephanie Ciarelli (strength); Roy Brummett (quarterbacks, defensive line); Barry Thomas (receivers, defensive backs). Returning starters: Five offense, four defense.

Host Oxford Academy didn't trail visiting Sage Hill School for too long Thursday, scoring four runs in the first inning on its way to a 7-3 victory in Academy League baseball action. The Patriots (17-3, 13-2 in league) rebounded from a 2-0 first-inning deficit to defeat the Lightning (13-8, 9-6) for the second time in three days. Oxford defeated the Lightning, 12-7, to clinch the outright league title Tuesday in Newport Coast. Sage Hill finishes third in league, two games behind Capistrano Valley Christian and four back of Oxford.

Corona del Mar High baseball coach John Emme called the Sea Kings' Pacific Coast League matchup with visiting Northwood, "The Josh Bradbury Show," as the junior pitcher was key in leading CdM past the Timberwolves, 3-2. Bradbury contributed two hits, including a solo home run in the first inning, and another RBI in the second. He also struck out five and walked none. Though he scattered 10 hits, he was backed by a solid defense that helped Bradbury improve to 2-0 on the season.

Barry Faulkner It won't be a home-run trot, exactly, because that would imply preconception. But the construction of a 200-foot outfield fence on the Costa Mesa High softball field this season, figures to significantly limit the amount of energy Ann Marie Topps spends circling the bases. "I'd never hit a home run over a fence before last summer (at a travel ball tournament in Canada)," the Costa Mesa senior shortstop recalled. "But, I like it, because I only have to jog around the bases."

SOFTBALL: It wasn't the best day to be a pitcher Tuesday, as Costa Mesa High and visiting Corona del Mar squared off for a good old-fashion nonleague softball slugfest. The Mustangs were outhit, 11-10, but managed a 13-7 triumph in a battle of former Pacific Coast League rivals. Costa Mesa junior cleanup hitter Jane-E Yamamoto made the Sea Kings pay for walking senior slugger Ann Marie Topps twice ahead of her. Yamamoto went 3 for 4 with an RBI, stole two bases and scored three runs.

Newport Harbor High senior Nedim Pajevic and Sage Hill School senior Michael Fitzhugh have been named to the 12-player South roster for the Orange County All-Star Basketball Game, scheduled April 5 at Orange Coast College. Pajevic, a 6-foot-9 center, averaged 15.7 points and more than 13 rebounds to help lead the Sailors to a 16-10 record, which included a second-place finish in the Sea View League and a berth in the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA Playoffs.

Bryce Alderton Dave Salo and Don Watson had a "meeting of the minds" so to speak heading into the swim season. The longtime OCC coaches got together and focused on recruiting, and initially, it has paid dividends, especially for the women's team. Salo and Watson co-coach both the men's and women's swim teams at Coast. The OCC women blitzed all competition at the recent Mt. San Antonio Invitational, posting 693 points to runner-up Riverside's 524.5.

CIF Division VI -- 1. Los Altos, 7-2; 2. Orange Lutheran, 7-2; 3. Foothill, 7-2; 4. Charter Oak, 7-2; 5. El Modena, 6-3; 6. Newport Harbor, 7-2; 7. La Mirada, 6-3; 8. Bellflower, 7-2; 9. Valencia, 6-3; 10. Katella, 7-2. CIF Division VII -- 1. Santa Fe, 7-2; 2. Walnut, 8-1; 3. Arroyo 6-3; 4. Pioneer, 7-2; 5. Bell Gardens; 6. Costa Mesa, 7-2; 7. West Covina, 6-3; 8. El Rancho, 6-3; 9. South Hills, 5-4; 10. Gahr. CIF Division IX -- 1. La Habra, 8-1; 2. Fulleton, 7-2; 3. Western, 7-2; 4. Northwood, 8-1; 5. Northview, 7-2; 6. Los Amigos, 8-1; 7. Pomona, 8-1; 8. Pacifica, 7-2; 9. Rancho Alamitos, 6-3; 10. Corona del Mar, 5-4. CIF Division XIII -- 1. Linfield, 8-1; 2. Pasadena Poly, 6-2; 3. Saddleback Valley Christian, 7-1; 4. Rio Hondo Prep, 7-2; 5. Brethren Christian, 6-3; 6. Flintridge Prep, 4-4; 7. Capistrano Valley Christian, 5-4; 8. Campbell Hall, 5-4; 9. Grace Brethren, 6-3; 10. Chadwick, 4-4.