YEAR IN REVIEW

From the get-go, Newport Harbor was the team to beat in the county. And while El Toro, Foothill and San Clemente went back and forth for the county’s No. 2 spot during the season, the Sailors lived up to the expectations and remained in the top spot, not losing to a county team until the semifinals of the Division I playoffs.

In the playoffs, the most exciting moment came when Trevor McMunn scored in sudden death to give El Toro a 9-8 victory over Newport Harbor in the Southern Section Division I semifinals.

Both El Toro Coach Don Stoll and Newport Harbor Coach Brian Kreutzkamp said the game was as good as it gets in high school water polo.

El Toro went on to play Long Beach Wilson in the Division I finals at Belmont Plaza Pool, but the Bruins were not going to be denied, winning their fourth title.

Corona del Mar got a good start in Division II, winning the title in its first year after moving from Division I.

Monte McCord did an exceptional coaching job at Saddleback, taking the Roadrunners to their first section semifinal.

“It was a hard road,” McCord said. “We worked since they were freshmen, and to get as far as we did is testimony to the effort these kids put in.”

Said Corona del Mar Coach John Vargas:

“It’s one thing to have the talent to work with. But Monte worked with these kids, most [of whom] didn’t have water polo experience. It says a lot for a team like that to come this far.”