Esperanza Water Polo Takes Title

Esperanza clinched at least a tie for its second consecutive Empire League water polo title with a 10-9 victory over host Los Alamitos Wednesday.

Esperanza Coach Doug Kimberly said the victory was especially sweet.

“There’s a natural rivalry between the two schools. Los Al is fast, well-coached and has a lot of natural athletes,” Kimberly said.

“But I’m real happy for our seniors. It’s nice for them to go out league champs. Never mind that the experience was nothing new, it’s something you don’t get tired of.”

Esperanza (12-8, 4-0) took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, but five second-quarter goals by Los Alamitos--four Eric Ploessel and one by Christian Billson--evened the score, 5-5, at the half.

Six Griffin turnovers allowed Esperanza to take a 7-6 lead in the third quarter, and each team scored three in the fourth quarter.

With six seconds remaining in the game, Esperanza’s John Zin threw the ball away, giving Los Alamitos (11-13, 3-1) one last chance. But Billson couldn’t control a pass, and he didn’t get a shot off before the final buzzer.