Water Polo Event Changes Venues

The S & R Sport Cup boys’ water polo tournament, formerly known as the Southern California Invitational, is changing sites.

Because of a renovation at the Heritage Park Aquatic Complex in Irvine, the tournament’s longtime site, the 16-team field will begin play Friday at Newport Harbor High and Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

The tournament pits top teams from Northern California against top teams from Southern California. Long Beach Wilson, ranked No. 1 by The Times, is seeded first, followed by North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, Anaheim Servite and Corona del Mar. Northern California teams include Carmichael Jesuit and San Jose Bellarmine.

The championship game is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. Saturday at Belmont Plaza.

*

The Calabasas boys’ water polo team went 10 years without a victory against Malibu in games in the Frontier League. While that streak will live on, at least the Coyotes can now claim a victory against their former league rivals.

Calabasas, which moved to the Marmonte League this season, defeated Malibu, 8-7, in the semifinals of the Zack Hahn tournament last month at Calabasas High. Senior David Dryjanski keyed the victory with five goals and four steals.

David Hershman, who has coached at Calabasas for 26 years, said the victory was uplifting, though the Coyotes didn’t play nearly as well later that day in a 13-11 loss to Encino Crespi in the championship game.

“It was an emotional roller coaster,” Hershman said. “We had a real highlight beating Malibu, but then we were a little disappointed the way we played against Crespi.”

Three days later, Malibu got its revenge, defeating Calabasas, 14-7.

Dan Arritt

*

Ryanne Hodgins, a center fielder for Burbank Burroughs, has committed to play softball at New Mexico.

An honorable mention All-Foothill League selection, she hit .391 last season with a team-leading 25 hits and seven stolen bases.

Staff Reports