Hewko Possesses All-Around Skills

Adam Hewko never ceased to surprise during his senior season of water polo at Anaheim Servite. Whether it was a pass that whizzed within inches of a defender’s ear or a skip shot that had a goalkeeper swiping at air, Hewko was difficult to predict and nearly impossible to defend.

As proof of his skill and unpredictability, Hewko finished this season with nearly as many assists (69) as goals (74). It wasn’t unusual for Hewko to compile double-digit assist totals, allowing his teammates to stand out in the scoring column.

“He really has an insight into the game,” Coach Jim Sprague said. “An awful lot of times, he would make a pass and I would think, ‘Where are you throwing the ball?’ And then I would say, ‘Oh, nice pass.’ ”

But Hewko, The Times’ boys’ player of the year, didn’t hesitate to score when needed.

Against North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake in the final of the S&R; Sport Cup, Hewko scored the final three goals to help Servite hold off the Wolverines, 9-8, in a matchup of the top-ranked teams from the Southern Section Division I and II.

Hewko’s abilities are even more impressive considering that, until this winter, he played water polo three months of the year, spending the rest of his pool time training as a swimmer. During his high school swimming career, Hewko has won five Southern Section Division I individual titles, the latest coming last spring in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

Hewko was invited to train with the U.S. national men’s water polo team last month and soon after decided to devote his collegiate career to water polo.

Sprague, who has coached hundreds of water polo players over 36 years, said he wouldn’t be surprised if Hewko reached the Olympic Games in water polo.

“He’s that type of kid,” Sprague said.

Sprague said Hewko never showed much interest in lifting weights until this season. Now, he has become a regular in the weight room. Sprague said he has not noticed a difference physically, but Hewko’s commitment shows he’s ready to be an elite water polo player.

“That’s just the way he attacks everything,” he said. “With an all-out effort.”

Hewko’s season ended prematurely when he was struck in the face in the first quarter of a Division II quarterfinal against Huntington Beach Marina, opening a cut that required 20 stitches. Without their best player, the top-seeded Friars were suddenly a less-dangerous team and lost, 9-8.

Sometimes, it takes a loss to realize how valuable a player is to his team.