Winter sports begins in earnest

Laguna Beach High’s girls’ water polo team launched its season

Tuesday, and the Breakers came away with an impressive 10-5 victory

over visiting Brea-Olinda.

Annie Preble led the Breakers’ scoring attack with five goals.

Lina Moore had 15 saves in the net.

In girls’ basketball, Laguna Beach was handed a 54-24 loss by La

Serna in Tuesday’s opening round of the Vernie Ford Classic at

Fullerton High.

The boys’ soccer team began its season Monday on a winning note,

the Breakers defeated visiting Savanna, 3-1, in nonleague action.

“We played really well in our opener, and it’s a nice way to begin

the season,” Coach Andy Thomas said.

The Breakers’ girls’ soccer team wasn’t as fortunate in its opener

on Monday, as they dropped a 4-0 road contest to Irvine.

Laguna Beach was also shutout by host Tustin on Tuesday, 2-0.

In cross-country, Laguna Beach’s boys’ program just missed the cut

for reaching the 2002 State Meet.

The Breakers finished in eighth place in their division at the CIF

Finals held at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

The top six teams in the division standings earned a berth at last

weekend’s state meet.

Senior Brendan Bowler missed qualifying for the state individual

meet by just three seconds.

“Although we came up just shy, it was a highly successful season

for us -- especially in ways other than wins and losses,” Coach Dave

Brobeck said. “My team bonded and united like no other that I’ve

coached.

“I am certain that this season is one that my seven varsity guys

will remember fondly for the rest of their lives,” he said. “That’s

the ultimate goal.”