Flintridge Prep boys’ water polo carries torch for city
One squad will represent the city of La Cañada Flintridge when the CIF Southern Section boys’ water polo playoffs begin.
Prep League champion Flintridge Prep earned a bid when the CIF office released its playoff pairings Saturday morning, while La Cañada and St. Francis missed the postseason.
The Rebels were one of five areas squads to earn berths, including Burroughs, Crescenta Valley, Glendale and Hoover, but only one of two to begin at home – sort of.
The Rebels (14-9), ranked No. 7 in Division V, will host PAC-8 League Atascadero (14-12) on Tuesday, likely at Pasadena Poly, though a venue has not been confirmed.
It doesn’t matter what division Flintridge Prep gets moved into, the Rebels always seem to lock horns with the PAC-8 League.
Tuesday’s match marks the fourth consecutive year the Rebels have taken on a PAC-8 League foe in the playoffs and the squad is 1-2.
Flintridge Prep defeated the PAC-8’s San Luis Obispo, 14-11, in the Division IV first round last season before falling to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 18-10, in the second round.
At one point this season, Flintridge Prep was top-ranked in the division but the squad enters the postseason ice cold, having dropped seven straight matches, including a 10-9 thriller at Chadwick on Wednesday.
A Rebels’ victory would advance the squad to Thursday’s second round versus Alta Loma (25-5) or Arcadia (14-10).
For the second time in three seasons, La Cañada missed the postseason in a year in which the Spartans finished 7-22, though the squad did pick up a 7-6 win over Flintridge Prep.
St. Francis’ big prize this season was joining the Mission League. The Golden Knights finished 7-12 and 1-4 in league, with their first league triumph over Crespi, 10-8, on Oct. 11.
Twitter: @campadresports
