PREP PREVIEW ’92 / WATER POLO : MARINA

Coach: Dave Pickford (14th year).

1991: 17-13, 6-1 in league; lost to Simi Valley Royal in 3-A quarterfinals; second in Sunset League.

Key returners: Matt Braun, Sr.; Jon Kenyon, Sr.; Eric Goodwin, Sr.; Steve Fontes, Sr., Justin Macklin, Sr.

Key newcomers: Tim DeVries, Jr.; Paul Liegeois, Jr.; Brian Akian, Sr.; Terry Tisman, Sr.

Outlook: With five three-year starters and 10 players with previous varsity experience, Marina figures to have one of the deepest, most-seasoned teams around. Pickford says Braun, an All-Division 3-A first-team pick as a junior, is the Vikings’ best since Tom Warde, 1989 NCAA player of the year for UC Irvine. Pickford says the team is in shape and smart (team grade-point average of better than 3.7), but will still have a tough battle with Fountain Valley, which beat the Vikings by a goal twice during the summer. “From my standpoint, it’s a dream team,” Pickford said. “But there are other good teams out there. It’s not like we’re playing Albania or anything.”