May 19, 2010
The Top Cali Water Polo Teams for 2010
CIF-SS Boys Water Polo 2010 Predictions
After much restructuring of the placement of leagues, here are the some predictions for how the season will play out for your big name teams in Division 1 of Southern Section CIF.
Mater Dei – Although they lose their best player with the graduation of their all-star senior Alex Wherry, like El Toro, they also return many good players led by Bret Bonanni. They also return most of their starting lineup with Anthony Daboub, Peter Russell Liam Gaughan, and goalie O'Brien. They should give El Toro a run for the title, and it should be a great matchup. With the addition of the Walter brothers, this team should be unstoppable for 3 or 4 seasons to come.
El Toro - They return most of their starting lineup. Although they lose one of their big 3 players, I think they have more than enough supporting players to complement goalie Danner and 2M Renteria. Fuentes, Colton, and Rude will all be returning starters with one year of varsity under their belts having been significant role players this year. Renteria returns as one of the best 2M in the southern section and has shown throughout the playoffs (and during the season) that he is capable of taking over games. Danner will be arguably the best returning goalie.
Dos Pueblos - A team that returns two very good players in juniors Chase Racich and Kevin Cappon. They played very well this year against the top teams such as Mater Dei, Loyola, etc., with the exception of the quarterfinal game against El Toro where El Toro simply turned up the intensity. I look for them to potentially challenge El Toro and Mater Dei for a spot in the CIF SS Finals.
Newport Harbor - They should be an exciting team to watch. They always seem to play well towards the seasons' end. They return one of the best shooters in Farrel South and a great goalie, Chris Whitelegge. With a bench that always seems to be never ending, it’ll be fun to watch what Coach Lynch has in store for one of the hardest working teams in D1.
JSerra - They lose a few key players to graduation - Nick Santala, lefty Chris Meinhold, goalie Garberich, and a few other players. They do return Luke Hewko whom in my opinion had one of the better shots in SS this year. Also returning are solid 2M Macrae Carden and key role player Howarth. It'll also be interesting to see how Servite transfer Derek Salvino plays in his first year of competition with the team.
A few other teams to note, although I don't expect them to challenge for the title as of right now:
Loyola - They lose 2 of their best players in Vavic and Hurst-Mendoza but they'll return three key players, goalie Evans, undoubtedly one of the best in D1, attacker Schwartz, and sophomore Kuprenas. Look for Kuprenas to step up into more of a leadership position.
Los Al - A much-improved young team will return led by junior 2M Joe Ferreti. They also return sharpshooter Chandler Jarrels who played very well this year as a freshman, as well as key role players in Matt Corb, Max Merrill, and Jack Blake among others.
Harvard-Westlake – This team consistently plays well against the top 10 D1 teams. Although they lose most of their starting line up, including McNamara, Madison and goalie Tobias, to graduation, they return two strong 2M men in Shannon and Zwaneveld and a natural leader in the younger McNamara. This summer will be a test to see how this young team develops, especially in the goalie region.
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| Landon Carr |
