Top honors for trio

The All-CIF Southern Section girls’ water polo teams, released Thursday, are loaded with Newport-Mesa area players. And rightly so, considering both Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar captured division championships.

For Newport Harbor (27-4), which won the Division I crown by defeating Montebello, 14-13, in overtime in the championship game, senior Leah Robertson was named the Division I Player of the Year and Bill Barnett was named the Coach of the Year.

Seniors Kally Lucas and Calli Manderino were first-team selections for the Sailors, goalkeeper Elizabeth Layton was a second-team pick and senior Katie Kepner was a third-team selection.

Robertson was a stellar two-meter defender, sprinter and goal-scorer for the Sailors.

Barnett said Lucas, who scored seven goals in the championship, was one of the best outside shooters he’s ever seen on the high school level.

Manderino, a consistent scoring threat from two meters, netted four goals in the finals for the Sailors, while Layton made several saves in overtime to preserve the title-clinching victory.

For Corona del Mar, seniors Camille Hewko and Tumua Anae were named Division II Co-Players of the Year and Aaron Chaney was named Coach of the Year.

Ashley Chandler, Katie Indvik, Cari Levine and Sarah Hutchison were first-team selections for the Sea Kings, while Chelsea Lyman and Taylor Harkins were second-team picks.

Hewko tallied 60 goals and 30 assists for the Sea Kings, and netted three goals in the team’s 11-4 victory over Villa Park in the Division II championship game. Anae emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in Orange County and made 12 saves in the title game.

The Sea Kings, who have won five straight CIF titles, are 20-0 under Chaney in the playoffs.

In Division VI, Costa Mesa’s Annie Le was a first-team All-CIF selection for the and teammate Tu Nguyen was a third-team pick.