Tars win in dominating fashion

NEWPORT BEACH — The first game of the playoffs served as a measuring stick of sorts for the Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo team.

The Sailors’ opponent in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs was Long Beach Wilson, the same team the Tars opened the season against. With a 17-2 victory Thursday at home, the No. 4-seeded Sailors made it clear they have improved over the course of the season, which began with a 13-5 victory over Wilson.

Wilson did not score its first goal until the latter part of the fourth period.

“We’ve improved a lot,” said junior Clinton Jorth, who scored a team-high four goals. “We could have shut them out, but we’re not disappointed.”

Wilson was also the team that defeated Newport Harbor in the section finals last year. Jorth was on the team, but couldn’t play due to injury.

“Some of us had thought about that,” Jorth said of last season’s loss. “We just wanted to get it over with. On the first possession, we could tell that they were a lot smaller than us. We’re a lot older, bigger and stronger.”

For a team that relies on its defense, the offensive explosion was the biggest positive on an all-around upbeat day for the Sailors. Newport Harbor tied its season high in points and margin of victory. The Sailors also received goals from eight different players.

“We practice defense every day,” Jorth said. “It’s the best aspect of our team. We’re a pretty young, low scoring team. It was really nice everybody stepped up today.”

Goalkeeper Bryce McLain, who made eight saves, said Brandon Parole gave him the biggest help on defense.

“He was the set defender,” McLain said. “He fronted him, did whatever he had to. I wasn’t worried about the set the entire game.”

Next up, Newport Harbor will renew the Back Bay rivalry with a second-round matchup with Corona del Mar. On Oct. 21, the Sailors defeated the Sea Kings, 7-4, and bounced them from the playoffs in the semifinals last year.

Jorth said playing the Sea Kings early in the playoffs makes for better preparation for the later rounds.

“We’re really excited,” Jorth said. “I think it’s good to play them early in CIF.”

McLain said it will take more of the same for the Sailors to advance deep into the playoffs.

“We’ll have to focus and concentrate and make sure we play as a team,” he said.

CIF Division I

First round

Newport Harbor 17,

Long Beach Wilson 2

Score by Quarters

Wilson 0 0 0 2 — 2 Newport 4 5 5 3 — 17

Wilson -- Blackledge, Smith. Saves -- Lapin 5.

Newport -- Jorth 4, Parole 3, Sherman 3, Hockenbury 2, Yeager 2, McKibbon, McGhie, R. Hayes. Saves -- McLain 8.