Mission Viejo Tops Villa Park Despite Missed Free Throws

VILLA PARK — Mission Viejo took a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter and outlasted Villa Park, 52-48, Friday night in the Southern Section Division II-A playoffs.

Mission Viejo (8-16) will meet Los Amigos (8-15) in the second round Tuesday night.

Poor free-throw shooting by Mission Viejo allowed Villa Park (11-13) to get back into the game in the final minutes, but Eric Sorenson, who missed the front end of three previous one-and-ones, made two free throws with four seconds remaining to seal the victory. Mission Viejo shot just nine for 19 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and missed the front end of six one-and-ones.

“I can’t believe how many free throws we missed,” said Mission Viejo Coach Bob Minier. “We gave them much too much of a chance. The game shouldn’t have been that close.”

Kurt Zimmerman scored 13 of his game-high 21 points in the second quarter, when the Diablos outscored the Spartans, 20-10, including a decisive, 14-2 run to close out the first half. Ryan McArthur led a balanced Villa Park attack with 13 points.