Laguna boys catch fire in spring

Last week, the Coastline Pilot took a look at the recently concluded girls’ sports season at Laguna Beach High. But the boys’ programs also did well. In the spring alone, accomplishments included a Southern California regional championship in volleyball, a first-ever league title in swimming and a trip to the CIF finals in tennis.

Here are sport-by-sport looks at the Breakers boys in 2008-09:

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FOOTBALL

The Breakers finished second in the Orange Coast League after blowing a 22-point lead to Costa Mesa, but they also won their first playoff game in 21 years when they beat Santa Ana in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs.

The Breakers (5-7) eventually fell to former league foe Corona del Mar in the second round.

Senior Mitch McMullin was named the league’s Lineman of the Year after leading the league in total sacks with six. He and sophomore receiver Chris Paul (41 receptions for 677 yards, eight touchdowns) earned All-CIF honors. Coach Jonathan Todd said Paul was the first sophomore from Laguna Beach to earn that distinction.

“The good news for us is that we had five underclassmen make all-league,” Todd said. “That bodes well for the future.”

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WATER POLO

The Breakers advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division III semifinals before falling to Montebello, 10-6.

The Orange Coast League champions finished 19-13. League MVP and senior Victor Alcone, as well as freshman Nolan McConnell, were named first-team All-CIF for Division III. UCLA-bound senior Preston Head was another key member of the squad.

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CROSS COUNTRY

An injury-plagued Laguna Beach squad, missing top runner Matt Neev, finished second to Estancia at the Orange Coast League finals.

But the Breakers went on to finish second at the CIF Southern Section Division IV finals, with a team time of 1:23:28. Senior Casey Finnerty was the top finisher, in 16:23, good for 13th place.

Laguna went on to finish fourth in the state in Division IV.

“Our team goal throughout the season was to finish in the top three,” Coach Dave Brobeck said. “The boys ran well though. Unfortunately we were without the services of our normal No. 3 runner, Blake Hofmeister ... to finish as highly as we did is a testament to the character and talent of the team.”

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BASKETBALL

The Orange Coast League champions for the third straight year, Laguna Beach finished a perfect 8-0 in league. But the No. 4-seeded Breakers were upset in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division IV-A playoffs by No. 13 La Salle, 55-42.

Laguna Beach (21-6), led by senior guards Ryan Lawler and Dylan Roley, also won 20 or more games for the third straight year.

“It was a great group of kids who made a decision to invest the time and work hard to reach the level of success they had,” Coach Bret Fleming said. “This group was also very team-oriented. They really pulled for one another.”

Lawler and Roley, who each averaged just over 15 points per game, shared co-MVP honors in league.

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SOCCER

Laguna Beach (10-5-8) struggled early in league before finishing third. The Breakers advanced to the second round of the CIF Division IV playoffs before falling to Burroughs of Burbank, 2-0.

Seniors Caine Fair and Bryce Healy earned first-team all-Orange Coast League honors for Laguna, while seniors Noah Michelon and Tommy Hopper, as well as freshman goalie Alec Williams, earned second-team status.

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BASEBALL

The Breakers were in contention for their first league title in 46 years all the way until the end of the season, when Costa Mesa clinched it.

In Coach Jeff Sears’ second year, Laguna Beach did make the CIF playoffs for the first time in nine years. The Breakers (14-14) were led by league MVP Chris Paul, a sophomore shortstop, as well as senior catcher Gabe Stansbury and outfielder Dillon Pierce. Junior Casey Miller was the team’s top pitcher.

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VOLLEYBALL

Laguna Beach won the inaugural CIF Southern California Regional Division III title, sweeping top-seeded Francis Parker of San Diego in the final. That helped make up for the disappointment of the CIF playoffs, where the top-seeded Breakers were bounced by Royal of Simi Valley in four games.

Juniors Scottie Chapel and Travis Woloson were named co-MVPs of the Orange Coast League for the Breakers, who were undefeated in league. Other key components included seniors Cooper Gwaltney and Harrison Phelps, as well as sophomore setter Robbie McKnight.

“We blocked well and played defense better than we had in a while, and that was the key,” Coach Lance Stewart said after the SoCal Regional win. “... Very few teams in any sport get to win their last match of the season.”

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TRACK & FIELD

Laguna Beach won the Orange Coast League for the third straight year, easily outdistancing second-place Costa Mesa for the title.

Junior Blake Hofmeister won the 3,200 meters at league finals and was second in the 1,600; he would eventually advance to the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet in the 3,200. Sophomore Tommy Wheeler was second in both the 100 and 200 for the Breakers.

Senior Andre Parker won the high jump and senior Mitch McMullin won the discus at league finals, adding to the dominant effort.

“We haven’t lost in three years,” Coach Scott Wittkop said. “The kids went out and did exactly what they were supposed to do.”

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TENNIS

It was a magical season for Laguna Beach, which caught fire at the right time toward the end of the season and advanced all the way to the CIF Southern Section Division IV finals before falling to Cerritos, 15-3.

The Breakers, who easily won league, were seeded No. 6 in the playoffs but upset No. 3 Whitney and No. 2 Cate to advance to the CIF finals for the first time since 1983. Sophomore Jake Michaels, junior Chris Lavery and sophomore Benito Romeo provided a dominant singles lineup, and the No. 1 doubles team of Rex Miller and Mikey Rubel was solid as well.

“When [the singles] guys get going like that, it’s like a train,” Coach Aaron Talarico said after his team swept nine singles sets against Cate. “When they get rolling, it’s hard to stop them.”

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GOLF

The Breakers tied Estancia for the league title for the second straight year, as the teams split their league matches.

Individually, senior Duane Hewlett finished second in the league, advancing to the CIF Southern Individual Regional at Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach.

Senior Skylar Perkins and juniors Charles Hewlett and Mike Cannon were also key for the Breakers, whose collective 3.667 grade-point average was tops in CIF among schools with enrollments less than 1,500.

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SWIMMING

Another history-making season here, as Laguna’s boys did something that no Breakers boys’ swim team had ever done: won a league title.

Senior Preston Head won the 50-yard free in a school-record time of 21.88 seconds at league finals, also finishing a close second in the 100. Billy Wild (fly), David Brunner (back) and Tommy Renner (breast) all added event wins for the Breakers.

Head went on to finish fourth in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free at the Division III finals.