First Team

Peter Belden

Newport Harbor,

Junior

Belden’s well-rounded game was vital to Newport Harbor; his play was outstanding on offense and defense.

Belden started the season with a bang against Long Beach Wilson, scoring the winning goal in sudden-death overtime to give the Sailors an 11-10 victory over the defending Division I champions.

“Peter was pretty much our point guard. He did everything for us. He not only led in assists and goals, but he was the best drive defender in the county this year,” Newport Harbor Coach Brian Kreutzkamp said.

A fast swimmer, Belden would usually be the first one back on the counterattack, taking advantage of goalie Tim Birdsong’s accurate passes.

Belden ended the season with 68 goals, 46 assists and 93 steals.

Josh Hewko

San Clemente,

Junior

The 5-foot-10 Hewko made up for his relative lack of height with smart, aggressive play at both ends of the pool.

On defense, Hewko accounted for a team-high 45 steals and was a big reason why San Clemente made it to the quarterfinals in the Southern Section Division I playoffs.

“I guess I think of myself as a defensive player first,” Hewko said. “But you have to play both ends of the pool. And I hope I was able to do that.”

Hewko did, also leading the Tritons in goals with 74 and assists with 28.

Hewko also plays basketball, starting at guard for the Tritons’ junior varsity.

“It’s a lot like polo,” Hewko said. “You try to get open, or you look for the guy who’s open and pass.”

Trevor McMunn

El Toro,

Senior

McMunn was El Toro’s first four-year varsity letterman in boys’ water polo. And according to longtime Charger Coach Don Stoll, that’s saying a lot.

“Considering the players that have come out of this school, that’s quite an accomplishment for Trevor,” Stoll said.

Strong as a bull, McMunn dominated on defense with 106 steals.

He also was a power on offense, helping the Chargers reach the Division I title game against Long Becah Wilson.

McCann scored what he calls the most important goal of his career in the Division I semifinals against Newport Harbor. The goal, in sudden death, gave the Chargers a 9-8 victory and sent them to the title game, which Wilson won.

“He backed off playing offense during the season because he wanted to be a team player,” said Stoll, who noted that McMunn had 269 goals in his career, just shy of the school record. “I told him we needed more offense from him during the playoffs. And that’s what he did.”

Said McMunn: “I like defense the best, but if I have to shoot the ball, I will.”

Ted Peck

University,

Junior

Although Peck did not play for one of the top county teams, his accomplishments were nevertheless noteworthy.

“If he played with any of the top teams in the county, he would have been a star,” Corona del Mar Coach John Vargas said.

A 6-foot-6 set man, Peck had his way at hole set, scoring most of his 76 goals from the two-meter position. He was equally impressive on defense, accounting for 55 steals.

“We had a young team, so I was expected to step up my playing,” Peck said. “We lost a lot of seniors last year. But I think we’ll have a good team next year, and I hope to have a good year as well.”

Peck also is a member of the National Youth team, and plans to continue playing water polo during the year with his club team, Long Beach Shores.

Garrett Gentry

Corona del Mar,

Senior

Gentry started playing water polo when he was in the sixth grade. And from Day One, he’s been coached that defense is the key to water polo.

“I like offense, but if you want to be a good polo player, you have to play both of them well,” Gentry said.

Judging by Gentry’s season, and the comments from coaches who faced him, Garrett is a good player indeed.

Gentry epitomized the balance that fueled Corona del Mar’s drive to its first Division II title, scoring 61 goals and making 60 steals this season.

And he stepped up his play during he playoffs.

“That was the most exciting time for me,” Gentry said. “Yeah, it would be nice to be back in Division I, but that win [in the final] against Servite was still great.”

Patrick Logan

Foothill,

Senior

Coach Jim Brumm called Logan the foundation of Foothill’s water polo team.

“He gave us a lot of leadership,” Brumm said. “Besides being a very quality kid, he led our team in goals and was our top defensive player.”

Logan, a four-year starter, scored 80 goals this season, which put him 10th on the Knights’ all-time scoring list.

But it was his defensive play that set him apart. Opposing coaches said his defense on the perimeter and against the drive were among the best in the county.

“His duty was to match up against the top perimeter players, including Tony Azevedo,” Brumm said, referring to the Long Beach Wilson and U.S. national team player. “And in each case, he did excellent.”

Logan ended the season with 68 steals.