Newport wins tourney title

After losing in the finals to Long Beach Wilson in its first

tournament of the season, the Newport Harbor High boys water polo

team figured it needed to make one change for its next tournament to

get over the hump -- get rid of their best player.

So with offensive powerhouse Clay Jorth in Argentina competing for

Team USA in the Junior World Championships, Newport Harbor took care

of business, defeating Harvard-Westlake, 11-9, in the finals of the S

& R Sport Southern California tournament at William Woollett Jr.

Aquatics Center at Irvine High Saturday night.

Parker Gregory, filling in for Jorth, played the starring role,

netting a team-high four goals, including the game-winner with 3:45

left in regulation time.

“Gregory had the game of his life tonight,” Newport Harbor Coach

Jason Lynch said.

Carson Hill and Brett Auer tallied three goals each for the

Sailors, who improved to 13-1 this season. Goalkeeper Bryce McLain

made 10 saves, including a key arm save late in the game on a

blistering shot by Harvard-Westlake’s lefty star Justin Rappel

(game-high five goals).

Newport Harbor pulled out a 7-6 victory over Bellarmine-Jefferson

in the semifinals Saturday afternoon.

Clint Jorth and Cottam netted two goals each. Blake Hockenbury’s

20-yard shot at the halftime buzzer hit pay dirt and the Sailors led

4-3. Kyle Sherman led the defensive effort.