Flintridge Prep boys’ water polo takes care of Burbank
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LA CAÑADA — Before taking to the pool deck Tuesday, Kasen Barraclough already had enough motivation.
The Flintridge Prep boys’ water polo player and Burbank resident found himself set to compete against Burbank in a nonleague match at Flintridge Prep. Barraclough and several members of Burbank are friends.
Barraclough responded with a tremendous effort, as he finished with a match-best six goals to propel Flintridge Prep to a 20-2 victory.
PHOTOS: Flintridge Prep cruises to 20-2 win over Burbank
“It’s interesting to play against a lot of your friends,” said Barraclough, who finished with four first-quarter goals. “You get extra pumped going up against them and trying to win.
“I like the way we are playing right now. We always have seven guys out there who know how to do their part and help us win.”
Barraclough, a sophomore and reigning All-Prep League honoree, had five of Flintridge Prep’s first eight goals. Barraclough’s fourth goal in the first quarter gave the Rebels (6-2) a 7-0 lead with 33 seconds left. He then scored the first goal of the second quarter to extend the advantage to 8-0.
Flintridge Prep, which won the league championship last season for the first time since 2002, held a 14-0 halftime lead. Burbank (0-5) finally broke through on a goal by Gor Avagyan to trim the deficit to 15-1 with 6:13 remaining in the third quarter. Avagyan later scored in the third quarter to make it 17-2.
Otherwise, the Rebels did a good job of blanketing the Bulldogs.
“When you go up against a team from the Pacific League, you take them seriously because it’s a very good league,” said Flintridge Prep Coach Dan Hare, who received four goals apiece from Ian Tien and Scott Fordham. “We were able to get some good counter-attacks and timely offense throughout.
“Kasen sees the pool well because he can create scoring chances. When he’s not scoring, he can make the perfect pass and get assists.”
Burbank Coach Allyson Young said the Bulldogs are looking to piece things together before the start of Pacific League action.
“We’re looking for them being able to follow instructions and we need to work on our defense and communication,” Young said. “We also need to be better at moving and driving on offense. We’re sill working on it.”
Evan Havunjian contributed three goals for Flintridge Prep, which got two goals from Sean King and one from Ty Burnham.
