High School Male Athlete of the Week: Dane Howell stepped up for Edison water polo

Dane Howell did not have to be told what to do heading into his senior year with the Edison High boys’ water polo team.

The Chargers had a new coach, Nick Graffis. They also lost their leading scorer from last year, Cameron Davidson, who graduated after scoring a program single-season record 122 goals.

This year’s Edison team has been more balanced. Howell has led the way in that regard, often acting as the point guard and dishing it to others for the assist while staying a dangerous offensive option himself.

On defense, the attacker relishes the opportunity to often guard the other team’s best player. There’s a reason why Howell is Edison’s only team captain.

“He found the challenge, and he accepted it at the same time,” Graffis said. “It wasn’t me giving him the challenge and him rising to the occasion. He had to find something valuable that he could provide, and then provide it. It’s impressive.”

Even with considerable change, the Chargers did not fall apart. In some ways, they are in the same position as they were a year ago. Edison was ranked No. 10 in the final CIF Southern Section Division 3 poll and seeks at least another quarterfinal appearance, the round the Chargers got to last year for the first time in program history.

The first step takes place Tuesday, when Edison (12-15) hosts Temple City (13-15) in the first round. Last year the Chargers upset Tesoro 10-9 in the first round, and it was Howell who provided the winning lob shot in the fourth quarter.

“It was a really exciting moment,” Howell said. “We had really good team chemistry last year, and a lot of good players. I feel like how hard that we’re practicing this year, we might get to the same place that we did last year, or maybe even further.”

Howell, who began playing water polo at age 10 with Huntington Beach Water Polo Club, is just an extremely steady player for the Chargers. He helped Edison secure another second-place finish in the Wave League behind Los Alamitos and an automatic CIF berth on Oct. 23, scoring twice in a 14-4 win over Marina at Corona del Mar High.

“I take pride in assists mostly, setting my center up,” said Howell, who was a second-team all-league player as a junior last year. “If I see a really good drive, I’m always going to give it to him. That could be even better than a good shot, if you get an assist, just setting your team up.”

The two league wins over Marina, also including an 11-4 triumph on Oct. 2 at Newport Harbor High, were very important for Edison. Due to playing a difficult nonleague and tournament schedule, Edison’s overall record is under .500, which means the Chargers couldn’t apply for an at-large berth to the postseason. They needed to finish top-two in league to advance.

The Vikings had hoped to challenge Edison for the second spot in league this year. But the Chargers’ senior core led by Howell, center Ethan Galaz, goalkeeper Caden Martin and attacker Luke Burgard kept Marina at bay.

Howell said he has been playing with Galaz and Martin for years. They hope to leave their mark with another successful postseason run for Edison.

Howell shows his smarts outside of the pool as well, with a 3.6 grade-point average last semester. And if he’s not studying or playing water polo, you can catch him surfing a couple of times a week near the Huntington Beach Pier.

Catching waves isn’t a problem for Howell, and neither was being successful in the Wave League.

“We have some seniors that are doing a great job, but we’re a fairly young team,” Graffis said. “Once [Howell] started putting other people in really good positions, that’s when I really started to notice him blossom. Once that happened and the team adjusted to what he was doing, that’s when he really became deadly. I think his leadership really kind of helped make his game next level.”

Dane Howell

Born: July 5, 2002

Hometown: Huntington Beach

Height: 6 feet 2

Weight: 150 pounds

Sport: Water polo

Year: Senior

Coach: Nick Graffis

Favorite food: Sushi

Favorite movie: “Surf’s Up”

Favorite athletic moment: Making a full-court shot against Costa Mesa in the Villa Park tournament on Sept. 28.

Week in review: Howell, a team captain, scored two goals as the Chargers beat Marina 14-4 in a Wave League game at Corona del Mar High on Oct. 23. The victory clinched second place in league for Edison.

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