La Canada Feat a Family Affair

Larry Naeve has been there before. His son, Brendan, has not.

That’s why La Canada High’s 8-6 victory over Crescenta Valley in a Southern Section Division III water polo semifinal Saturday at Caltech was so special for the elder Naeve, La Canada’s coach.

The Spartans (25-5) advance to the championship game Tuesday night against Bell Gardens, a 13-5 winner over South Pasadena. The game is at 7 p.m. at the Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach.

It marks a return to glory for La Canada, which won a section championship in 1979 and was runner-up in 1980, both with Naeve as coach.

Naeve retired after the 1980 season to spend time with Brendan, then a newborn. La Canada’s program suffered, finishing no better than fourth in league play until Naeve returned as coach in 1995.

That was the year Brendan began playing on the La Canada varsity. Together, the Naeves have helped rebuild the Spartans into a section power.

“I went through a lot today,” Larry Naeve said. “It’s an awesome feeling to be back in the final, one of the best feelings you can have as a coach.

“It’s great for the whole team, but it is a special thing to do it with Brendan. I want him to know what this feels like.”

This was the last chance for Brendan, a senior.

“It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “Dad always said there’s nothing like winning a championship. Now I have a chance to do it.”

La Canada was inspired by surprise visits from several former players, including Bill Bernard, who was captain of Larry Naeve’s first team in 1974. Bernard addressed the Spartans before the game.

Crescenta Valley (21-4) looked lost for much of the first three quarters, but rallied in the fourth. The Falcons pulled to within 6-4 with 4:47 to play on goals by Kenny Carpenter and Bryan Lang.

La Canada led, 7-5, with under a minute to play when, with Falcon Coach Pete Loporchio frantically calling for a timeout, La Canada’s Donald Kwon stole the ball and scored.

Naeve, who had two goals, set the tone with a backhanded goal from the two-meter position 13 seconds into the game.

The Spartan defense dominated from there, shutting down Crescenta Valley’s counter attack.

Crescenta Valley had 20 turnovers, 18 on steals.

A matchup of the division’s top goalies did not disappoint. Russell Bernstein of La Canada and Brian Hasbrouck of Crescenta Valley each had 15 saves.

Michael McDay had three goals for La Canada.