Distinguished efforts

SAN JOSE -- The ‘rematch” didn’t happen - Corona del Mar High’s Sea

Kings were bumped off in the semifinals, and later in the final, Newport

Harbor’s Sailors lost to Coronado’s revenge-minded Islanders, but it was

nevertheless another highly successful major tournament for both local

water polo powers Saturday at the Tru West 2000 Memorial Cup at

Bellarmine High.

Coronado capitalized on four man-up situations and atoned for an 11-8

beating at Heritage Park in Irvine recently, with a 12-8 championship

victory over the Sailors.

Coronado, 23-1, never trailed despite the standout play of Newport’s

Ryan Cook (four goals on five shot attempts) and Peter Belden, who was

named the tournament’s Outstanding Defensive Player.

Earlier in the day the Sailors (now 18-5) bounced Villa Park, 9-6,

with Belden (three goals), Caine Littrell (two goals) and Steven

Jendrusina (two goals) paving the way.

Corona del Mar (17-4) dropped two on Saturday as Coronado claimed a

12-7 semifinal victory despite three-goal efforts from Garrett Bowlus and

Artie Dorr, and Villa Park claimed third place with 13-5 decision.

Michael March led CdM with three goals.

TRU WEST 2000 MEMORIAL CUP

Championship

Coronado 12, Newport Harbor 8

Coronado 3 3 2 4 - 12

Newport Harbor 1 3 2 1 - 8

Newport - Cook 4, Belden 2, Jendrusina 1, Bean 1. Saves - McLain 11.

Third Place

Villa Park 13, Corona del Mar 5

Corona del Mar 2 0 2 1 - 5

Villa Park 7 5 1 2 - 13

Corona del Mar - March 3, Bowlus 1, Mann 1. Saves: Kim 1.

Semifinals

Newport Harbor 9, Villa Park 6

Villa Park 1 3 1 1 - 6

Newport Harbor 2 2 5 0 - 9

Newport - Belden 3, Jendrusina 2, Littrell 2, Snelgrove 1, Bean 1.

Saves - Johnson 6, McLain 7.

Coronado 12, Corona del Mar 7

Corona del Mar 3 1 2 1 - 7

Coronado 4 3 3 2 - 12

Corona del Mar - Bowlus 3, Dorr 3, Messenger 1. Saves - Stockstill 5,

Kim 2.