Younger Jorth, McLain take reigns for Tars

Clinton Jorth, now a junior at Newport Harbor High, has been on the varsity water polo team since he was a freshman.

But last season ended a bit prematurely for Jorth, who was kicked in the face during a game against El Toro last October, suffered a skull fracture and missed the remainder of the season.

Jorth is now a top returning player for the Sailors and figures to play a big role, just like older brother Clay did last year as a senior.

Newport Harbor won the Sea View League last season and advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division I championship game, beating Back Bay rival Corona del Mar High in the semifinals before losing to Long Beach Wilson, 14-11, in the final. The Sailors finished with a record of 25-6.

“Hopefully, Clinton’s going to be the leader of the team this year,” said Tars Coach Jason Lynch, now in his sixth season. “It’ll be a big year for him, trying to get out of the shadow of his brother. I hope he’s ready to really turn it on this year. He’s definitely the guy now.”

Newport Harbor does have other experienced players coming back, starting with senior goalkeeper Bryce McLain. McLain was a Newport-Mesa Dream Team honoree last season and was also named a second-team All-CIF selection, averaging 9.2 saves per match.

Blake Hockenbury and Nick Yeager, also seniors, are both experienced drivers for the Sailors. But driver Kyle McGhie and two-meter player Riley Hayes are the only other two seniors for Newport Harbor, which has half the amount of seniors as last season.

Lynch said veteran defenders like Collin Sherman and Brandon Parole, both juniors, should help Newport Harbor remain strong. Junior Myles Christian and sophomore Andy Hayes are backup goalies and Colin McKibbin is a strong junior driver.

Also contributing for the Sailors are juniors Jimmy Burger, Rush Stevens, Kyle Fults, Austin Flemming, Spencer Richley and P.J. Gorman. Sophomores Zach Osdache, Andy Hayes, Dustin Hayes and David Linden are also in the mix, as are freshmen Matt Russell and Zach Lucas.

But Lynch said Jorth will be the guy to make the team go.

“He’s an all-around guy,” Lynch said. “He can drive, guard the two-meter, do a little bit of everything. We played a lot without him this summer because he was on the youth team in Europe, so it’ll be nice to have him out there.”

After losing graduated players like Newport-Mesa Player of the Year Clay Jorth, leading scorer Brett Auer, and All-CIF lefty Telford Cottam, Lynch said the goal remains the same for Newport Harbor: win league.

This year, the Sailors are in the Sunset League, which also has Edison, Esperanza, Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos and Marina high schools.

“It should be pretty challenging,” Lynch said. “Los Alamitos and Esperanza are both pretty tough. They’ve both been among the top four teams in Division II for the last several years.”

He added that the other teams aren’t pushovers, either.

“Edison, Marina and Fountain Valley are more aquatically oriented than a Woodbridge or an Irvine [teams formerly in Sea View league with Newport Harbor],” Lynch said. “I think it’s the strongest league in Division I, top to bottom.”

As far as advancing in the CIF Division I playoffs, Lynch said Newport Harbor’s chances remain strong.

The Tars and Long Beach Wilson share the record for most CIF Southern Section Division I boys’ water polo titles with 11 each. “I think we’re probably one of the top four teams in Division I this year, along with El Toro, Northwood and Harvard-Westlake,” Lynch said. “I think we have a bright outlook. We should be in the thick of it.”

Newport Harbor will play the Sea Kings in a regular-season matchup for the first time in years. That game is scheduled for Oct. 21 at Corona del Mar at 5 p.m.

“We needed to do it,” Lynch said. “We used to be in the same league, and it’s such a rivalry that we needed to get it going again.”

THE SAILORS

Jimmy Burger Jr.Myles Christian Jr.

Austin Flemming Jr.

Kyle Fults Jr.

P.J. Gorman Jr.

Andy Hayes So.

Dustin Hayes So.

Riley Hayes Sr.

Blake Hockenbury Sr.

Nick Holbrook So.

Clinton Jorth Jr.

David Linden So.

Zach Lucas Fr.

Kyle McGhie Sr.

Colin McKibbin Jr.

Bryce McLain Sr.

Zach Osdache So.

Brandon Parole Jr.

Spencer Richley Jr.

Matt Russell Fr.

Collin Sherman Jr.

Rush Stevens Jr.

Nick Yeager Sr.

Coach: Jason Lynch

(sixth year)