San Gabriel Valley Wins in Water Polo

Regional all-star water polo games in the Southland have become so successful that organizers decided to take it a step further with Sunday’s eight-team tournament at Villa Park High.

San Gabriel Valley proved to be the best, or possibly just in the best shape, after defeating North Orange County, 12-9, in the title game.

San Gabriel Valley and North Orange County had to play three games Sunday, something neither had been asked to do all season. However, with several major college coaches on hand, it was well worth the effort.

The North team had a particularly demanding schedule, winning its morning first-round game against Tri-Counties from the Ventura/Santa Barbara area, 12-11, and then defeating South Bay, 18-11, two hours later.

The North then had a two-hour break before it was back in the pool for its afternoon final. For North County Coach Tony Martinho of Los Alamitos, it was not just a long day of water polo in Villa Park, but a long weekend.

“The last three days I was out here for the girls’ [Villa Park Tournament] too,” he said.

San Gabriel Valley advanced to the title game with an 11-5 opening-round victory over Long Beach, and it then spoiled the chances for an all-county final when it defeated South Orange County, 12-8, in the semifinals.

San Gabriel Valley was led by Hacienda Heights Los Altos Coach Fred Sicard, who brought five players from his Southern Section Division VI championship team. Among those was goalkeeper Nathan Jenkins, who was a key figure in his team’s victory.

Jenkins made several outstanding saves that kept the North from mounting any serious comebacks after San Gabriel Valley had built a comfortable first-half lead.

The North led, 2-0, on goals by Brian Mericle of Esperanza and La Habra’s Josh Drysol, but San Gabriel Valley answered with six consecutive goals and it led, 6-3, at the half.

The North cut the lead to two early in the third quarter on a goal by Luke Byward, but San Gabriel Valley came back and scored on its next two possessions. The North trailed, 11-7, early in the fourth quarter, when it missed two good scoring opportunities in close, including one on a fingertip, point-blank save by Jenkins.

The North finally cut the lead to 11-9 on a goal by John Pearce of Los Alamitos with 49 seconds left, making the earlier missed opportunities appear even greater.