Laguna refreshed after winter break

Up next for Laguna Beach girls’ water polo team is a tournament in Santa Barbara.Even though there was a 2 1/2 -week break between games for the Laguna Beach High girls’ water polo team, the Breakers weren’t completely out of the water over their winter break.

During the time leading up to their first game of the new year, the Breakers spent time in the pool with heavy conditioning sessions.

“Over the winter break, there was a lot of training, a lot of swimming,” Laguna coach Rick McKee said. “It was done in preparation for the meat of the season ahead. It was really important to have that time to work out the kinks.”

The Breakers appeared to be working on all cylinders when they met up with San Clemente on Jan. 3.

McKee was hoping his squad would come out with a hot start, and it did just that, jumping to a 9-2 halftime lead en route to an easy 17-5 victory on the road.

Sophomore Erin Reid and junior Jessica McKee each scored four goals, junior Breanna Duplisea had three and freshman Anika Dries one.

Junior Celia Huling came up with seven saves.

“I have been challenging the girls to come out stronger than they have been doing in previous matches, and they certainly did that against San Clemente,” said McKee, whose team improved to 12-2 with the win.

“We are such a good counterattack team, and it’s important to establish that right away. The girls did a great job.”

Laguna will attempt to establish itself today in Santa Barbara when the Breakers open play at the prestigious Tournament of Champions.

Sixteen of the top teams from San Diego to Santa Barbara will compete at the two-day event, which concludes Saturday.

Laguna, Corona del Mar, Newport Harbor, Santa Margarita and Foothill are the five county teams participating in the tournament.

Laguna and Corona del Mar are the only two CIF-Southern Section Division II teams in the tournament.

In the Division I poll, Foothill is ranked No. 1, Newport Harbor No. 2 and Santa Margarita No. 3.

Host Santa Barbara is ranked third in Division IV.

Laguna opens the tournament at 3:50 p.m. today against Montebello.

The Oilers are ranked fourth in Division I.

Win or lose its tournament opener, Laguna will play either Santa Margarita or Ayala (No. 2, Div. III) later tonight in a championship or consolation round game.

“These are 16 of the best teams in Southern California at this tournament, so there are no easy games,” McKee said. “No matter how we do, the quality of this tournament and the teams we will go up against will help prepare us for the remainder of league play and CIF.”