Experienced lineup ready to lead Newport

The Newport Harbor High boys water polo team found itself in a class,

or better yet, pool, by itself in more ways than one this summer for

the 18-and-under national championships in Florida.

The Sailors had competition, but faced club teams with players

about to leap from high school to college. The competition, in turn,

brought out the best in Newport, which elicited praise from Coach

Jason Lynch, about to embark on his fifth year at the helm.

Newport leaped from a 15th-place showing in 2004 to fourth this

year in the 16-team tournament, earning the highest finish of any

high school team.

The Sailors parlayed that success to the Junior Olympics,

finishing seventh of 48 teams, also the best showing for any high

school squad, Lynch said. Newport placed 11th at last year’s J.O.’s.

“We have a strong team, so we have to look for ways to challenge

them,” Lynch said. “They all did well.”

Lynch said this year’s team is even deeper than last fall’s squad,

which finished 18-11, reaching the CIF Southern Section Division I

quarterfinals for a third straight season.

The Sailors return four starters, including seniors Clay Jorth,

Carson Hill and Brett Auer, along with sophomore Clinton Jorth.

Clay Jorth, a four-year varsity starter, earned first-team All-CIF

and All-Sea View League honors last season.

“He’s strong, experienced and does a good job of controlling our

offense,” Lynch said of Clay Jorth.

Lynch said UCLA and Cal have shown interest in Jorth, a member of

the United States national junior team (20-and-under). The U.S. will

compete in the junior world championships in Argentina in October.

Auer enters his third varsity season and Lynch will try to use him

more as an attacker after setting a lot last fall.

“[Auer] can create off the drive,” Lynch said.

Hill also started last year, while seniors Kyle Sherman and

Telford Cottam all played significant minutes. Sherman and Hill bring

versatility on both offense and defense, Lynch said.

Clinton Jorth enters his second varsity season and, along with

teammate Bryce McLain, a junior, both played for Lynch on the U.S.

futures 15-and-under team in an international tournament in Serbia in

August. McLain will get the nod in goal, replacing Michael Robinson,

a three-year varsity starter who committed to UC Santa Barbara.

Brother Evan McLain, a senior goalkeeper, also enters his second

varsity season.

Junior Blake Hockenbury returns to give Newport additional

offensive firepower with the addition of seniors James Jackson,

Parker Gregory, Justin Eakin and junior Broc Hill.

The Sailors did lose a key offensive threat in Nate Castillo, who

earned first-team All-CIF honors as a freshman last season. Castillo

switched sports, choosing to play volleyball this fall.

But Lynch said the team remains strong without Castillo, as the

summer performances attest.

Winning the league title for the first time in three years tops

the Sailors’ list of goals this season, Lynch said. Foothill has

edged Newport by one goal each of the last two seasons in games that

would decide the league winner.

The much-anticipated matchup has traditionally kicked-off or come

toward the beginning of league play, but this year’s game will

conclude the Sea View slate.

Newport hosts Foothill Nov. 4.

The game was originally scheduled Oct. 12, but Clay Jorth and

Foothill standout J.W. Krumpholz will both be competing for the U.S.

junior national team, so the game was moved, Lynch said.

Lynch likes the shift.

“The game last year was not good by either team,” he said. “We

played poorly and we almost won, so it was frustrating because it was

so early. If you lose in the second week, then you have to go

undefeated the rest of the season and you’re probably going to be

second. This year it will be more exciting because both of us should

be undefeated in league and [the Nov. 4] game will be the big

showdown.”

Newport won’t need to wait long to assess where it ranks in

Division I. The Sailors open the season hosting Long Beach Wilson,

the four-time defending Division I champion, Sept. 13.

Other key nonleague games include: Coronado at Newport on Sept.

17, a road game against Division III finalist Villa Park Sept. 27 and

a home contest against El Toro Oct. 25. The Tars open league play

against visiting Woodbridge Oct. 5.

Lynch said El Toro, which gained several transfers, will be much

improved this season.

Preseason workouts have consisted of conditioning, passing,

shooting and returning to shape after a three-week break, said Lynch.

“I’m looking forward to an exciting season.”

THE ROSTER

Brett Auer Sr.

Telford Cottam Sr.

Justin Eakin Sr.

Parker Gregory Sr.

Broc Hill Jr.

Carson Hill Sr.

Blake Hockenbury Jr.

James Jackson Sr.

Clay Jorth Sr.

Clinton Jorth So.

Bryce McLain Jr.

Evan McLain Sr.

Kyle Sherman Sr.

Coach: Jason Lynch (fifth year)