An Embarrassment of Riches on Rosary’s Bench

For Rosary Coach Todd Sprague, the number of coaching resources at his fingertips is almost embarrassing.

That’s because longtime county coaches Jim Sprague, Todd’s father, and Hank Vellekamp, the Rosary swimming coach, are his assistants this season.

What could be better than to have some 60 years of coaching experience on your bench?

It has been a big help for Todd Sprague early in the girls’ season, when he was finishing up the boys’ season at Whittier High, where he began teaching full-time this fall.

Jim Sprague and Vellekamp worked together at Sunny Hills, and now the two are helping Rosary establish itself as one of the county’s premier girls’ programs.

For Todd Sprague, having the two veterans around is a nice luxury, not to mention a safety net of affirmation.

“I never played the game,” said Todd, who concentrated more on football and baseball in high school. “But we must be doing something right.”

The Royals have won two consecutive Southern Section championships, and the Spragues have had a big hand in the growth of the program.

“I think, like anyone, you’ll have doubts,” Todd Sprague said. “But my dad will keep telling me, ‘You’re a great water polo coach.’ And I’ll tell him, ‘You’re only saying that because I’m your son.’

“But he tells me, ‘No, I’m telling you because I’ve been around this game my whole life and I know you’re a good coach. There are guys who have been coaching for 30 years and still don’t have a clue, but you know what you are doing.’ ”

It’s been eight years since Jim Sprague came out of his first retirement to coach the Servite boys’ team and teach math at the school. He said he has also enjoyed every moment of working with Rosary’s team.

“I’m 64 and I still enjoy the teaching aspect,” he said. “And these kids really want to learn. For example, we spent 2 1/2 hours the other night going over game films. The guys never do that.”

The added bonus is the additional time he gets to spend with his son.

“I’m proud of what Todd has done and my wife and I are proud he went into education,” Sprague said. “The scary thing is when I looked at some game film and realized, ‘Hey, I didn’t shoot this game.’ But Todd filmed the game and he’s narrating it, using the same phrases I do and sounding like myself.

“I’m just happy God allows me to do something I enjoy, and I think I can still teach these kids something. It’s a joy, really.”

TOURNAMENT REVIEW

Host El Dorado made a big splash at the Benson Cup tournament over the weekend, reaching the final before falling to Bell Gardens, 14-6. Jessica Durkin scored twice in the final for El Dorado.

In the semifinals, El Dorado held Natalie Golda to two goals in a 7-6 victory over Rosary, ranked eighth in the preseason county poll. Rosary finished third with Mallory Anderson scoring three goals in a 6-5 victory over Long Beach Wilson.

Host Irvine, ranked 10th, won the El Nino Cup with an 8-4 victory over Redlands in the final. Lindsay Stephens scored three goals and freshman Sarah Hamilton added two for the Vaqueros, who defeated San Clemente in the semifinals, 6-0. Goalie Kelly Graff had two saves in the shutout.

University finished third, defeating San Clemente, 4-3.

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

Villa Park, ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll, hosts its annual tournament Thursday to Saturday. The field includes No. 1 Newport Harbor, No. 4 Santa Margarita, No. 6 Marina and No. 9 El Toro.

Also entered are Corona del Mar, Santa Barbara and Carlsbad. The final is Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

If you have an item or idea for the prep girls’ water polo report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at mike.itagaki@latimes.com