Flintridge Prep’s Barraclough makes it two straight Prep League MVPs
Kasen Barraclough had plenty to aim for entering his senior season on the Flintridge Prep boys’ water polo team.
Barraclough, a utility, wanted to help Flintridge Prep win a fourth consecutive Prep League championship and make a deep run in the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs. Barraclough was able to check those items off, leading to him receiving more postseason recognition.
Barraclough tallied 70 goals and 35 steals en route to being named the league’s most valuable player for the second straight season.
“We really wanted to win league and the success of the team comes first,” said Barraclough, who collected 79 goals last season and shared the top honor with Chadwick’s Sam Wheeler. “We lost a lot of seniors, so we had to have a lot of people step up and keep the tradition of winning league going. It’s become a necessity to win it again.
“It’s always a great honor when you can be named a league MVP. I definitely feel honored and I just tried to improve any way I could.”
Flintridge Prep first-year coach Andrew Phillips said Barraclough exceeded expectations.
“It’s real cool when you can win a league MVP multiple times,” Phillips said. “It starts with his discipline and demeanor and getting things going for the team.
“He knows the team well and he’s always finding ways to contribute. He’s really an amazing athlete.”
Flintridge Prep had six players bestowed with all-league recognition. The Rebels finished 15-9, 9-1 in league and posted a playoff win against Atascadero before falling to Alta Loma in the quarterfinals.
Ian Tien, Aidan Schraeder and Konrad Oakes were selected to the first team.
Tien, a senior utility, finished with 75 goals and 15 steals.
“He was an attacking machine,” Phillips said. “He was always aggressive out there.”
Schraeder, a senior driver, collected 35 goals and 40 steals to compliment Barraclough.
“He was versatile on offense and defense,” Phillips said. “We could put him anywhere and he’d get the job done while also providing leadership.”
Oakes turned in another superb season as goalkeeper, finishing with 155 saves.
“He’s just a solid goalkeeper who knew how to come up with the big saves,” Phillips said. “He often made a save that would turn the momentum in our favor.”
Hakop Kaplanyan and Ryan Huntley earned second-team accolades.
Kaplanyan, a sophomore driver, had 40 goals and 25 steals.
Huntley, a junior driver, contributed 25 goals and 30 steals.
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
