THE TIMES 1994 FALL ALL-COUNTY TEAMS : Tritons’ Gardner a ‘Cut Above’ Athlete of the year: Six-foot-9 senior goalkeeper raised San Clemente’s defense to a higher level.

Gabriel Gardner, San Clemente’s 6-foot-9 goalkeeper, had no peers in the Southern Section this season. With Gardner putting up a nearly impenetrable defense--he gave up only 4.2 goals per game--San Clemente advanced to the Division I semifinals.

At his best against the best, Gardner had 20 saves in a regular-season victory over eventual Division I champion Long Beach Wilson.

But sometimes being the most dominant defensive player in the pool wasn’t enough for Gardner: He wanted to play the field.

San Clemente Coach Steve Yancey was accommodating; he allowed Gardner to play offense late in games the Tritons already had wrapped up and even let him start a game against a weaker opponent.

“I wish sometimes I could have played the field in big games, too,” Gardner said. “I had so much energy that I felt like I could have turned a guy four times if I was setting hole.”

He’s probably right. Gardner scored 13 goals this season, including one in the final seconds of regulation against El Toro in the South Coast tournament. Gardner came out of the goal, looking to make a pass, but finding no one open, he winged a shot from mid-pool that skidded into the goal and sent the game into overtime. San Clemente went on to win.

Despite his offensive productivity, Gardner, The Times Orange County player of the year, was much more valuable to the Tritons in the goal.

“I think that a kid like this comes along for our program once in a lifetime,” Yancey said. “He dominated the sport this year. He was a cut above.

“We were a decent defensive team, but Gabe made us a great defensive team.”

It was a team that almost got to play for the championship. In the Division I semifinal, the Tritons and Wilson were tied, 6-6, late in the fourth quarter before Wilson scored a man-advantage goal with 1 minute 8 seconds left and added another in the waning seconds.

It was a crushing loss, but Gardner said he didn’t take it as hard as he did the semifinal loss that ended his junior year. Some teammates were crying, and Gardner said he felt a responsibility to leave a message with the younger players.

“I just told them,” Gardner said. “ ‘Every one of us went out there and gave it our all, and it didn’t come our way. Remember how this hurts and use it next year.’ I needed to be the leader and I wanted to show it was all right and that we should learn from it.”

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ALL-COUNTY WATER POLO

ALLEN BASSO

Driver

El Toro, Sr.

Set school record with 140 goals. Also led team with 42 assists, 62 steals and 33 ejections drawn. Led Chargers into second round of Division I playoffs, where they lost to eventual-champion Long Beach Wilson.

*

BRIAN BROWN

Utility

Foothill, Jr.

Century League player of the year. Helped Foothill to the Division I semifinals, where the Knights lost to Corona del Mar, 6-4. Had 116 goals, 42 assists and 72 steals. Versatile player who can drive and set two meters.

*

THAD BUZOLICH

Two-meter man

Corona del Mar, Sr.

Buzolich started the season as one of the Sea Kings’ defensive specialists, but picked up his offense as the games became more meaningful. Had 46 goals--nine in the playoffs--17 assists and 32 steals.

*

GABE GARDNER

Goalkeeper

San Clemente, Sr.

Section’s most dominant player at 6 feet 9, he made Tritons’ defense great. Physical skills matched by knowledge of game, making him tough to beat. Averaged 10 saves. Signed with USC on a full volleyball scholarship.

*

BRIAN HEIFFERON

Utility

Servite, Sr.

Southern Section Division II co-player of the year, he led Friars into the title game where he scored a team-high three goals in the 9-8 loss to top-seeded Esperanza. Friars’ second-leading scorer with 93 goals.

*

ADAM McFARLAND

Two-meter man

Corona del Mar, Sr.

Strong defender--usually guarded opponents’ best two-meter man. Scored a team-high four goals in the 10-9 loss to Long Beach Wilson in the Division I title game. Had 67 goals and 64 steals in the season.

*

MIKE STANLEY

Two-meter man

Esperanza, Sr.

Division II co-player of the year. Had a school-record 117 goals and 65 assists in the season. Scored four goals, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter of 9-8 victory over Servite in the championship game.

*

DOUG KIMBERLY

Coach of the Year

Esperanza

Led team to second Division II title in three years. Esperanza started the season ranked fifth; when the playoffs started the Aztecs were No. 1. His team gelled midway through the season, winning 17 of its last 18 games.

THE SECOND TEAM

Sam Bailey

San Clemente

Sr.

Two-meter defender / South Coast League co-MVP.

*

Jim Lowe

Tustin

Sr. Driver / Led Tillers to Division II semifinals.

*

Tad Murphy

Brea-Olinda

Sr.

Driver / Orange League MVP; scored school-record 129 goals.

*

James Palda

Corona del Mar

Sr.

Two-meter man / Sea View co-MVP; 76 goals and 40 steals.

*

Jerry Smith

Servite

Jr.

Two-meter man / Had team-high 114 goals and 31 assists.

*

Greg Stoll

El Toro

Jr.

Goalkeeper / Had school-record 337 saves; had 42 assists.

*

Gabe Wyatt

Newport Harbor

Sr.

Two-meter man / Scored team-high 135 goals.