PREP WATER POLO : Marina Dominates Katella in First Round of Playoffs

The end of Katella’s tumultuous water polo season was void of drama Friday. Marina scored the first eight goals and cruised to a 13-5 victory in the first round of the Southern Section Division II boys’ water polo playoffs at Golden West College.

Katella had dedicated its season to two fallen teammates, Jonothan Fabbro Curtis and Stephen Bender, who were among four teen-agers killed last summer in a single-car accident.

In Empire League play, the Knights lost to El Dorado in overtime and finished second, therefore drawing third-seeded Marina in the first round.

Marina (21-6) put Friday’s game out of reach quickly, using pressure defense to totally shut down the Knights in the first half. Katella made 19 turnovers and managed only five shots in the first half, three fewer than Marina had goals.

Katella (19-8) cut the lead to seven, 11-4, after the third quarter. Dave Shaddy, who finished the season with 107 goals, scored two in the quarter. The Knights’ Dave Rooks also scored two goals.

“We played really good in this game,” Shaddy said, noting that his team play Marina even in the second half. “We knew what we were up against and pretty much knew what the outcome of the game was going to be. But we didn’t give up.”

Lance Banuk and Keith Haefner each scored three and Robin Beauregard and Stever O’Rourke each scored two for Marina, which plays Estancia in the quarterfinals Wednesday.