Wilson captures title

The Newport Harbor High and Long Beach Wilson High boys water polo

teams, without too much argument, can probably call themselves the

two top teams in CIF Southern Section’s Division I.

The four-time CIF Division I defending champion Bruins, stung by a

loss to the Sailors Sept. 13, emerged with a 7-6 victory in the South

Coast tournament championship at Newport Harbor High Saturday.

Late in the fourth quarter, Long Beach Wilson goalkeeper Jacob

McIntosh got his right hand on a shot by Clinton Jorth with Newport

Harbor on the power play. The ball caromed off the post back into

McIntosh’s arms.

The Wilson goalie quickly threw a outlet pass to Matt Sagehorn,

who was streaking down the left side of the pool on the

counterattack. Sagehorn pulled up and lobbed the ball over the head

of Sailor goalkeeper Bryce McLain just inside the far post with 30

seconds left in regulation with the game-winning goal.

“I swam as hard as I could and got the perfect pass from our

goalie,” Sagehorn said. “I saw their goalie at the near-side post, so

I thought I’d throw it up and see what happens.”

Newport overtook the No. 1 spot in CIF’s Division I from Wilson

after beating them, 9-5, earlier this season. Wilson took it as a

wake-up call. This time around they matched Newport Harbor’s

intensity, but the Sailors didn’t budge, either.

“I think we’ve both established ourselves as the two top teams,”

Newport Harbor Coach Jason Lynch said.

Down 1-0, Newport stormed back with three consecutive goals. Lefty

Telford Cottam scored off a pass from Clay Jorth, then goals by Brett

Auer and Blake Hockenbury gave the Sailors a 3-1 lead going into the

second quarter.

But the Bruins netted four of the next five goals to take a 5-4

lead into halftime.

The third quarter was all Sailors. Broc Hill batted in a man

advantage goal off a pass from Auer, who added a goal off a pass from

Clay Jorth to give the Sailors a 6-5 lead. Newport killed three

Wilson power plays in the quarter.

“I thought we totally outplayed them in the third quarter,” Lynch

said.

With the scored tied, 6-6, Newport was unable to convert on its

last power play attempt, settting up Sagehorn’s game-winner.

“We knew the first game against them would be tough, but this time

we just said, ‘Lets go out and play Long Beach Wilson water polo,’”

Sagehorn said. “More swimming, more concentration and more patience.”

Newport Harbor (6-1) defeated El Toro, ranked No. 5 in CIF’s

Division I, 9-5, in the tournament semifinals Saturday morning. Auer

led the way with three goals.

South Coast tournament

Long Beach Wilson 7, Newport Harbor 6

Score by Quarters

*--*

LB Wilson 1 4 0 2 -- 7

Newport 3 1 2 0 -- 6

*--*

Long Beach Wilson -- Sagehorn 2, LaBounty 2, Wooten 1, Walton 1,

Wright . Saves -- McIntosh 9.

Newport Harbor -- Cottam 2, Auer 2, B. Hill 1, Hockenbury 1 Saves

-- B. McLain 12

Newport Harbor 9, El Toro 5

Score by Quarters

*--*

Newport 2 3 3 1 -- 9

El Toro 2 2 0 1 -- 5

*--*

Newport Harbor -- Auer 3, Cottam 2, Clay Jorth 1, C. Hill 1,

Hockenbury 1, B. Hill 1. Saves -- B. McLain 9.

El Toro -- Danna 1, Soleman 1, White 1, Abbey 1, Allen 1.