Newport Harbor and Los Al battle for league title

Five days later, the Newport Harbor High girls’ water polo team battles Los Alamitos again.

This time, it won’t be for third place.

The Sailors today at 5 p.m. play host to their foe in the Sunset League regular-season finale, which will determine the league champion. Both teams are tied for first place in league at 4-0.

The Sailors (19-6) defeated the Griffins, 10-4, in the third-place match at the Irvine Southern California Championships Saturday.

Los Alamitos (22-4) won the first matchup between these two, getting a 10-9 victory in the semifinals of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions on Jan. 17.

This one will be crucial. Not only are the Sailors playing to defend their league crown, but also for the No. 3 seed in the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.

Currently, Newport Harbor is ranked No. 3 in the Division I coaches’ poll and Los Alamitos is No. 4. The playoff pairings will be announced Monday, but one team will have a better idea what seed it will earn by tonight.

— David Carrillo Peñaloza