Before Sun Sets, a Winner Will Be Decided
Parity has been the story in the Sunset League all season, so it’s only fitting that the county’s closest race will be decided today, the final day of the regular season.
Only one game separates first place from last in the league, three teams have a shot at the league title and all six teams are still alive for a playoff berth.
Huntington Beach, Esperanza and Edison are each 5-4 and tied for first. Marina, Fountain Valley and Los Alamitos are each 4-5.
The madness will be sorted out today. Huntington Beach plays Los Alamitos, Edison plays Esperanza and Fountain Valley takes on Marina.
The winner of the Edison-Esperanza match is guaranteed a share of the league title. The loser of that match may not make the playoffs.
“This is my 21st year and I don’t remember it ever being this close,” said Huntington Beach Coach Bill Seckington, whose team has won 12 of the last 15 league titles. “I thought the league would be good, but I didn’t know it would be this balanced.”
How balanced? Fountain Valley started the season with three losses by a total of five strokes. Huntington Beach looked like a shoo-in to win the league after a 4-1 start, but has lost its last two matches.
“It’s not like my kids are shooting poorly,” Seckington said. “We shot 187 [seven-over par] and lost to Marina. I think we were shocked about that.”
The Oilers, who have won the last three league titles, will look to senior Andy Anderson and freshman Joey Benedetti to lead them today against Los Alamitos, which features UCLA-bound Breene Murphy.
A tie for the final playoff berth is highly likely, but in an unusual twist of fate, that tie was to be broken Monday during the league individual finals.
“I think the kids are certainly aware of the importance of [today],” Seckington said.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Empire League’s finals begin today at Western Hills and will be completed Wednesday at Los Serranos. The Golden West’s finals are Wednesday at Tustin Ranch. The Olympic and Orange leagues began their finals on Monday, continue today and will conclude Thursday at Western Hills. The Pacific Coast’s finals conclude today at San Clemente. The Serra’s finals conclude Wednesday at Western Hills. The South Coast’s finals conclude today at RedHawk, and the Sunset and Sea View finals concluded Monday.
The Southern Section team regionals are Monday. Orange County teams will play at either El Prado and Los Serranos, depending on league placement.
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BOYS’ GOLF TOP 10
Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll
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Pos. School League Rec 1. Santa Margarita (2) Serra 14-2 2. Servite (1) Serra 8-7 3. Brea Olinda (3) Orange 16-2 4. Aliso Niguel (6) Sea View 12-4 5. El Toro (10) South Coast 10-5 6. Capistrano Valley (4) South Coast 13-4 7. Huntington Beach (5) Sunset 11-4 8. Esperanza (9) Sunset 11-4 9. Woodbridge (8) Sea View 11-3 10. University (NR) Pacific Coast 10-3
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Last week’s ranking in parentheses