HIGH SCHOOL CLOSE-UPS

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

MATT NUNEZ

Sr., Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon

Then: After earning most valuable player honors on the freshman team, Nunez gained a starting role on varsity as a sophomore and averaged nearly 10 points. He was the second-leading scorer in the Southwestern League as a junior, averaging 18.8 points, and was selected to the All-Southern Section Division I-A second team. He helped Temescal Canyon to an 18-8 record and third-place finish in league. Lost to eventual champion Mission Viejo, 71-60, in the second round of the playoffs.

Now: The 6-foot-5 swing player helped the No. 20 Titans to a 13-0 start, their best in the school’s 13-year history, and was chosen most valuable player at the Chula Vista Eastlake, Hilo (Hawaii) and Torrey Pines tournaments. In the final of the Mayor’s Division at the Torrey Pines tournament on Dec. 30, he had 33 points and 10 rebounds in a 66-49 victory over La Jolla Country Day. He averaged 30 points in the four-day tournament, upping his season average to 24.4 points. Nunez is also averaging 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists, both second best on the team.

Quote: “To have a string of performances like that is just incredible,” Coach Mark Williams said. “Winning is No. 1 in his mind.”

Dan Arritt

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GIRLS’ WATER POLO ANNE BELDEN

Sr., Newport Harbor

Then: Belden, a member of the U.S. national youth team, grew up around the sport and followed two brothers and a sister to Newport Harbor. Promoted to the varsity in the middle of her freshman season, she became a regular starter as a sophomore. She was All-Southern Section last year when she notched 71 goals, 42 assists and 62 steals as the Sailors won the Southern Section Division I championship by snapping Santa Ana Foothill’s streak of four consecutive titles. She is on the U.S. youth national team.

Now: Belden is Newport Harbor’s team captain and leading scorer with 29 goals, 19 assists and 23 steals. She had 10 goals in four games in the Newport Harbor/Corona del Mar tournament two weeks ago, when the Sailors beat Santa Ana Foothill, 5-3, for the championship. Belden in November signed a letter of intent to play at UCLA, where oldest brother Peter is a senior on the men’s team and sister Katherine is a junior on the women’s team. She will bring with her plenty of speed -- she has a best time of 53.1 seconds in the 100 freestyle -- and a powerful left-handed shot. Both make Belden dangerous and effective on the counterattack and in six-on-five situations. Her presence is one reason Newport Harbor (10-0), ranked No. 1 in Division I, is a favorite to win the Santa Barbara tournament that starts Friday and runs through Saturday.

Quote: “She has those little things that can’t be taught -- the little things that make a good player a great player,” said UCLA women’s water polo Coach Adam Krikorian.

Lauren Peterson

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WRESTLING MATT HARTSHORNE

Jr., San Clemente

Then: The son of a Marine who arrived from Virginia as a sophomore when his father was transferred to Camp Pendleton, Hartshorne wasted little time making an impact. He finished third in the Southern Section Division IV 125-pound individual tournament last season and qualified for the Masters meet. He was one of six San Clemente placers in the division finals and helped San Clemente finish fourth -- the best finish in school history.

Now: Hartshorne has picked up where he left off, starting the season with a 21-1 record. He won the130-pound titles at the Long Beach Millikan, Las Vegas Sierra Vista and North Torrance tournaments and was third at the Mann Holiday Classic, where he went up a weight class. Among his victories this year are decisions over two section champions from last year and he has been instrumental in San Clemente’s starting the season with four tournament victories in four tries.

Quote: “He’s the type of kid who just loves to wrestle and works real hard,” Triton Coach Mark Calentino said. “Even if I give the kids a day or two off, he’ll be in the room working out.”

-- Peter Yoon