Diablos Ready to Take on Top-Seeded Ventura for Division 2AA Title

Mission Viejo High's boys basketball team claimed its second consecutive South Coast League title with a one-loss regular season. The Diablos’ dominant run hasn’t slowed in the playoffs, as coach Troy Roelen’s squad took care of business in the first four rounds to earn a spot in Saturday afternoon’s CIF Southen Section Division 2AA championship game.

The second-seeded Diablos search for their second section title in eight seasons when they face top-seeded Ventura (28-2) in a game that tips off at 12:30 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. Mission Viejo (29-1) won the Division 1A championship in 2003, Roelen’s second season at the helm.

This Diablos squad has an opportunity to firmly etch its legacy into the school’s athletic annals with a victory over Ventura, but it certainly won't be an easy task.  The Cougars rolled to a Channel League championship and are currently riding an 11-game winning streak.

The heavyweight hardwood showdown will likely boil down to a few different dynamics for the Diablos. Let’s examine the elements that may ultimately determine the outcome of Saturday’s matchup.

The Neilson Effect

Isaac Neilson is, without a doubt, the face of Mission Viejo’s basketball program. The 6-foot-10 center averages 16 points and 11 rebounds, in addition to nearly five blocks per game and is among the frontrunners for plenty of Orange County’s postseason awards.

The senior is bound for BYU this fall and received as much attention from the media as any Orange County athlete this winter. Neilson not only handles the bulk of Mission Viejo’s offensive workload, but he’s grown into a facilitator who makes things easier on teammates as well.

"Isaac demands a lot of attention down there," Roelen said. "He does a good job of throwing it out of the post when the defense doubles down on him. As a big man, he's a pretty good passer who's not afraid to be unselfish. He's well-rounded, and if we can pound it inside, it opens things up for everyone else."

With sharp-shooting guards playing along the perimeter, Mission Viejo is often able to punish opponents with a lethal inside-out offensive game. Though Ventura doesn’t have anyone that matches Neilson’s height, the Cougars possess a bevy of big men to throw in his way.

Ventura’s rotation features forwards Jon McMurry and Corey Quintana -- both sizing up around 6-5 -- who will be counted on to disrupt Neilson’s efforts in the paint. McMurry ranks among the Cougars' top scorers, with nine points per game, while Quintana leads the team with an average of six rebounds.

Regardless of who is initially matched up against Mission Viejo’s versatile center, it’s going to take a group effort by the Cougars to contain the cornerstone of the Diablos’ offensive attack.

Can the Diablos Continue their Clutch Play Late in the Contest?

Mission Viejo has made a living off strong finishes.  Its ability to close out games has become the Diablos’ calling card over the past few months and is the reason they’ve reached this point.

The team trailed in the fourth quarter during eight of the final dozen regular season contests. Beside a two-point loss at Tesoro -- the Diablo’s only defeat -- Mission Viejo pulled off comeback victories in each of those situations, including five times in league play.

Mission Viejo overcame a 16-point second-half deficit at Capistrano Valley with the South Coast title hanging in the balance. The Diablos used a 25-4 fourth quarter onslaught to blow by Sea View champion Aliso Niguel for a 59-39 victory on Jan. 28.

"We talked before the fourth quarter about how we had been in tough positions before," Roelen said immediately after the Diablos’ electric eight-minute ending against Aliso Niguel. "We've been tested this year and battled through it... I think all those close games have paid off for us."

During the Diablos' seven late comebacks, they’ve outscored opponents by an average score of 18-7 in the final quarter. Odds are, the Division 2AA title game won’t be decided until its latter moments, which could set the stage for another magical Mission Viejo closing run.

For the record, Ventura has never relinquished the lead when entering the fourth quarter ahead on the scoreboard.

Mission Viejo’s Mighty Bench

The Diablos’ depth is what fueled those comebacks. Mission Viejo often incorporates at least 10 players in the opening half and actually emptied its entire bench during the first 10 minutes of its title-clincher at Capistrano Valley.

"I think our depth makes it tough on opponents," Roelen said. "Because we play so many guys, it can wear down teams by the fourth quarter, and that gives us an advantage."

Not many high school squads have a more potent backcourt than the Diablos. Guards Evan Zeller, Frank “Q” Randall and James and Michael Cramer each average at least six points per game and have taken turns elevating their abilities throughout the season.

Zeller stepped up in a 73-68 semifinal victory against Summit. The 6-3 sophomore buried a three-pointer to send the game into overtime, where he would score seven points to seal the Diablos’ win.

James Cramer, a 6-foot senior, has steadily improved his scoring average throughout the season and led the team with 23 against Summit. Throw in Randall’s relentless defensive tenacity and Michael Cramer’s outside shooting prowess, and it’s easy to see why opponents struggle to keep pace with the Diablos for an entire contest.

"Our team just doesn't wear down," Neilson said.

That statement has held steady through 30 games. Mission Viejo needs it to remain true for 32 more minutes. The Southern Section Division 2AA trophy is at stake.