1999 Dream Team

Joseph Boo

NEWPORT BEACH - At the start of the 1999 boys water polo season,

Corona del Mar High senior Garrett Gentry and Sea Kings Coach John Vargas

were not with their team. Gentry was with the U.S. junior youth team,

while Vargas was coaching the U.S. national team in Olympic qualifying

action.

At the end of the season, both of them were celebrating the CIF Southern

Section Division II championship, and, along with Newport Harbor’s Peter

Belden, they lead the Daily Pilot All-Newport-Mesa District Dream Team.

Gentry and Belden are Co-Most Valuable Players, while Vargas is the Coach

of the Year.

Vargas calls Gentry a utility player and though it may be an

understatement, it describes what Gentry did for CdM. He can play in the

two-meter spot, out on the wing, or at the point. While Gentry, a senior,

led CdM in scoring, he is just as adept with a pass that sets up a goal.

Gentry’s strong body makes him dangerous in front of the goal, where he

has a variety of moves. But he has deceptive speed which makes him

dangerous on the counter. This versatility also earned him him Pacific

Coast League MVP honors.

Like Gentry, Belden’s versatility made him invaluable for Newport Harbor,

which spent part of the season ranked atop the CIF Division I poll and

reached the section semifinals. A junior, Belden led the Sailors in

scoring with 68 goals. As the fastest swimmer on the team, he also

handled the sprint which opens each quarter, played two-meter, and took

all the penalty shots.

While his offensive ability is dazzling, it is his defense that really

sets him apart. Belden recorded 93 steals in the year. He held Gentry to

one goal when the two rivals met in the South Coast Tournament, and held

Long Beach Wilson’s Albert Garcia to one goal in three periods in a 11-5

win.

Newport senior goalie Tim Birdsong, MVP of the Sea View League, is

another Dream Team selection.

His long arms allowed him to deflect many shots, but it was not only his

defensive prowess which made him a threat. Birdsong has an uncanny

ability to get the ball down the pool for a quick counter and has 17

assists to prove it. His passing starts Newport’s offense, which makes

him the Sailors’ key figure going both ways.

CdM junior Garret Bowlus announced himself to the Southern Section water

polo world at the most opportune time, scoring four goals in an 8-6 win

over Servite in the CIF title game. Bowlus developed as the season went

along, and, by the end, he made opposing defenses pay for placing too

much focus was on Gentry.

Newport Harbor junior Ryan Cook developed a chemistry with Belden and

really turned it on in the CIF playoffs. His best game was against Loyola

in the second round, where he scored four goals in an 8-6 Newport win.

Cook also displayed a deft passing touch, and his 65 assists was the team

high.

Senior Brendan Hansen might not score as many goals as his teammates

Belden or Cook, but the first-team All-Sea View player is a tough

defender. Hansen was second on the Sailors with 52 steals. On offense, he

directs traffic from the top and keeps defenses honest with his ability

to shoot.

CdM senior goalie Brad Netherton simply racked up saves, getting 10 in

the CIF final to give his team a chance to win. Netherton’s anticipation

helps him frustrate opposing shooters and he is aggressive with the

outlet pass, which allowed him to trigger many CdM counters.

Alex Niehenke, a 6-foot-7 CdM senior, has a wingspan which made it

extremely difficult for opponents to go into their set. Servite was

openly concerned about its ability to get the ball inside before the CIF

finals against Niehenke. In the finals, the Friars got three goals from

the two-meter spot.

Costa Mesa senior Mike Vaillancourt was simply a bull from the two-meter

spot, where he used his strength and skill to lead the Mustangs in

scoring. He can score faced up, with his back facing the goal, or from

the outside, and that led PCL coaches to vote him first-team all-league.

Vargas’s 16th season at CdM began in Australia, where he led the U.S.

national team during preparation for the 2000 Olympic Games. After

returning, he had the Sea Kings peaking at just the right time. CdM went

through the PCL season undefeated.

Entering the CIF playoffs with a record of 16-10, the Sea Kings reeled

off four wins in a row, including the conquest of top-seeded Servite, to

gain their first CIF title in 10 years.

Daily Pilot boys water polo Dream Team

Co-Most Valuable Players

Garrett Gentry, Corona del Mar Sr.

Peter Belden, Newport Harbor Jr.

Team

Tim Birdsong, Newport Harbor Sr.

Garrett Bowlus, Corona del Mar Jr.

Ryan Cook, Newport Harbor Jr.

Brendan Hansen, Newport Harbor Sr.

Brad Netherton, Corona del Mar Sr.

Alex Niehenke, Corona del Mar Sr.

Mike Vaillancourt, Costa Mesa Sr.

Coach of the Year

John Vargas, Corona del Mar