Prep Roundup : Whittier Starts Fast, Wins Water Polo Title

Esperanza High School fell behind Whittier early in the championship game at the Valencia water polo tournament on Saturday and never recovered, losing, 11-7.

Whittier jumped to a 5-1 lead after one quarter, and even though Esperanza scored six goals over the next two, Whittier scored six as well to win the championship with a 4-0 tournament record.

Esperanza, 3-1, was led by Mark Camtagna, who scored four goals. Whittier’s Trent Smith scored five goals

In other Valencia water polo tournament games:

Canyon 9, Valencia 5--In the third-place game, Rick Freeman scored three goals to lead Canyon. Valencia’s Jeff Myers scored two goals.

El Toro 10, Saddleback 7--In the consolation final, Steve Ramella, Allja Treshansky and Eric Thompson each scored two goals to lead El Toro. Saddleback’s Derek Meort and Jose Orguna each scored two goals.

Whittier 8, Canyon 6--In a losing effort, Canyon’s Steve Sprague scored four goals, and goalie Brian Sherwood had five saves.

Estancia 8, Valencia 1--Mark Cluewitt scored four goals and Brian Pickler scored two goals for Estancia. Mickey Doi scored Valencia’s only goal.

Laguna Beach 8, Woodbridge 2--Laguna Beach was led by Shane Haley, who scored four goals, and Mark Weeks, who scored two goals.

Woodbridge 12, Brea-Olinda 10--Jared Johnson scored five goals, Jen Liyeh four and Steve Kirshon two to lead Woodbridge. Kyle Kilpatrick scored five goals for Brea-Olinda, and Chad Carlberg and Jason Bird each scored two.

At the Irvine water polo tournament:

Capistrano 19, Miraleste 4--In the championship game, Junior two-meter man Kevin Eggert and senior driver Paul Felton each scored five goals to lead Capistrano Valley. Goalie Chris Bowman had 10 saves for Capistrano Valley.

Capistrano Valley 17, Royal 3--In the semifinal game, Eggert scored seven goals to lead Capistrano valley. Senior driver Kevin McCalley added four goals and reserve goalie Nick Kittredge had nine saves.