Foothill, Long Beach Wilson Could Be on Another Collision Course in Water Polo

Long Beach Wilson and Foothill have had mirror image water polo seasons. Each team is 23-2 with its only losses coming against the other--every time by one goal.

So it’s no surprise that they are seeded No. 1 and 2 in the Southern Section Division I playoff pairings released Monday. Wilson is top-seeded only because the Bruins won the most recent game, 9-8, in overtime.

Wilson hosts Canyon (18-8), the third-place team from the Century League, at 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Foothill has a much tougher assignment, hosting Capistrano Valley (17-10) at Tustin High School.

Capistrano Valley finished in a three-way tie for second in the South Coast League but lost a coin flip and enters the playoffs with an at-large bid. Foothill beat Capistrano Valley, 6-3, early in the season, but the Knights--the defending Division I champions--must now face the toughest first-round challenge of any first-place team in the division.

El Toro (20-6), seeded third, will host Encino Crespi (12-14). Fourth-seeded Villa Park (21-6) takes on visiting Trabuco Hills (12-13).

In the all-Orange County Division II, Los Alamitos (19-7) is top-seeded and on Friday will play the winner of today’s wild-card game between Los Amigos and Tustin. Second-seeded Servite (22-5) will play the winner of today’s game between Sunny Hills and Cypress.

Third-seeded Laguna Beach (20-7) hosts Katella (15-9) and fourth-seeded and defending champion Costa Mesa (18-7) hosts Westminster (12-8).

In Division VI, Orange League champion Brea Olinda (19-6) is seeded fourth and will host Cerritos Gahr (11-12) Friday.

The playoffs continue next week and the title games in the three divisions are Nov. 27 at Belmont Plaza pool in Long Beach.