Laguna Beach Rises to Top in Pacific Coast

Since the inception of the Pacific Coast League in 1986, Costa Mesa’s water polo reign has rarely been challenged. The Mustangs have won 10 consecutive league championships and four Southern Section titles.

But this season, Costa Mesa might have a problem. Laguna Beach beat the Mustangs handily last month in the Villa Park tournament, and the Artists are ranked higher in the county and section polls entering this week’s showdown.

The Artists’ 10-4 victory over Costa Mesa means nothing in the league race, but Laguna Beach junior Spencer Dornin said it sent a message to the Mustangs.

“We just let them know that they need to watch out,” Dornin said. “Times are changing, I guess.”

Just how much they have changed will be determined this afternoon at Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach (19-4, 4-0 in league) is ranked fourth in the county and second in Division II. Costa Mesa (17-6, 4-0) is ranked fifth and fourth.

Laguna Beach, never known for its water polo, quietly has been building a strong program in the last few years. Coach Rick Scott, in his seventh year, has led the Artists to the playoffs six consecutive seasons.

An age-group program has been established, which provides a base of solid players. However, two of those players, Dornin and senior Grant McGann, are better than solid and that’s why the Artists are making so much noise this season.

In matters of water polo size, Dornin is a lanky but strong 6 feet 5; McGann is a solidly built 6-3 1/2. Dornin, who has a team-high 73 goals, is a vocal leader who wants the ball on offense. McGann, who has 69 goals, is more quiet and steady.

“I don’t think they could be much more different,” Scott said. “Their personalities are quite the opposite out of the pool.”

In it, their roles are similar. They both play the two-meter position on offense and on defense each guards one of the opponent’s stronger players. They give Laguna Beach a one-two combination that is hard to beat.

“It’s not often that you have two outstanding players,” Scott said. “Basically, what teams are doing is double covering both of them and leaving our other players alone outside to shoot.”

And recently the other starting field players--senior Rob McClaire and juniors Evan Lutz, David Cox and Tyler Reynard--have been on target. Laguna Beach lost three of its first five games--to Servite, Villa Park and Newport Harbor--but since has only fallen to second-ranked Villa Park in the title game of the Villa Park tournament.

Clearly, though, Dornin and McGann are the keys to the Artists’ success; the team appears to be in good hands.

Dornin was a second-team All-Division II selection last season, but Scott says he is among the top three players in the county.

A left-handed two-meter man with size is a rare find. Dornin has all that and intensity to boot.

“He has definitely stepped it up to the level of where he wants to carry the team,” Scott said. “His goal is to win a championship and he wants to make sure everyone knows it.”

Said McGann: “If he’s on, he’s awesome. There’s no one in the whole state who can stop him.”

If Dornin is slowed, McGann, a first-team, all-division pick last year, is there to fill the gap. Scott says McGann, a four-year starter, is one of the smartest players he has coached.

That might have something to do with McGann’s family. He grew up around the sport and originally was introduced to it by a first cousin, Jeremy Laster. Laster was a standout at San Clemente and Stanford and played on the U.S. Olympic team in 1996.

McGann said the Artists match up well against Costa Mesa. He hopes this will be the year they topple the dynasty. “I’ve been in the shadow of Costa Mesa my whole high school career,” he said. “I definitely want to get out of that shadow.”