Boys water polo: CdM dunks Trojans early

Tony Altobelli

IRVINE - Corona del Mar High was firing on all cylinders in the

first half of Wednesday’s Pacific Coast League boys water polo contest

with host University and when that happens, it’s bad news for the Sea

Kings’ opponents.

“That was probably the best first half we’ve had in a long time. Years

I would say,” Coach John Vargas said after the Sea Kings knocked off the

Trojans, 14-5. “I couldn’t be more pleased with our performance today.”

In a battle of two of the CIF Southern Section Division II’s Top 10

teams, No. 2 Corona del Mar completely shut down the No. 9 Trojans in the

first half of the game, outscoring Uni, 10-1, with a combination of a

relentless offense and a suffocating defense, resulting in 14 steals for

the game.

Garrett Bowlus scored four goals, while Morgan Johnston and David

Fabian each scored three goals for the Sea Kings (11-7, 4-0 in league).

Before University (10-10) could even get used to the water in the

pool, CdM jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first four minutes on goals

from Garrett Gentry, Fabian, Bowlus and Ryan Jetton.

The quickness of the Sea Kings really paid off on the defensive side.

As soon as any Uni player came within four meters of the goal, three,

sometimes four Corona del Mar players swarmed all over them, totally

eliminating any scoring opportunities.

“Our guys really came to play today,” Vargas said. “Our intensity was

the best its been all year on both sides of the ball.”

CdM increased its lead to 8-0 early in the second quarter before

University finally got on the board. The Sea Kings tacked on two more to

make it, 10-1 at the half.

“We were doing an exceptional job on the counterattack,” Vargas said.

“It was a great team performance for us.”

The second half was played much more even than the first half, but the

damage had already been done.

University got as close as 12-4, but could get no closer.

In fact, if not for the superb play of Trojans goalie Jon Chow, CdM’s

point total would have been much higher.

It was also a matchup of two of the U.S. national youth water polo

teammates with Gentry and Terry Peck of University. Both players scored a

goal for each team.

Next up for the Sea Kings, they travel up to the Bay Area for the Cal

State Invitational Water Polo Tournament, where six teams from Southern

California and six from Northern California compete in a weekend-long

competition, beginning Friday.

“We’re using this upcoming tournament to prepare for the CIF

playoffs,” Vargas said. “Of course, we would like to do well and we would

like to win the tournament, but right now, our biggest concern is the

league title and the CIF playoffs.”

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Corona del Mar 14, University 5 Corona del Mar 5 5 1 3 - 14

University 0 1 2 2 - 5

CdM: Bowlus 4, Fabian 3, Johnston 3, Niehenke 1, Gentry, 1, Jetton 1,

Cuyler 1. Saves: Netherton 9.