Ready for another run

They keep on reloading.

You would think that the loss of four players to graduation, three of whom were named All-CIF last fall, would leave a major void in any water polo program. In the case of the Laguna Beach Breakers, a program that continually is among the best in the CIF Southern Section, the loss of such players is tempered by the return of several outstanding players and an infusion of up-and-coming talent.

“We have a great group of kids in and out of the water,” said Ethan Damato, who begins his third year as head coach. “They train very hard as a group, they play hard in every game and they expect to win. I think their expectations for themselves are very high this year. It’s fun to coach a group like that.”

Last year, Laguna won its fourth straight Orange Coast League championship and reached the semifinals of the CIF playoffs, where they were eliminated by Montebello.

The Breakers, who begin practice Monday for the 2010 season, welcome back seven players to the varsity roster, four of whom started. Of those four, junior utility Nolan McConnell was the team’s and Orange Coast League Most Valuable Player in 2009 and first-team All-CIF, and senior attacker Spencer Dodson was the league’s offensive player of the year and second-team All-CIF. Junior goalie Erik Henrickson, a first-team all-league pick a year ago, returns to man the net for a third straight year and senior utility Jack Clark was second-team all-league.

Dodson and Clark will serve as team captains.

Another key varsity returner is junior attacker Nicky Brunner, who played a lot last year as sophomore and will start this fall, Damato said. Brunner, who was second-team all-league last year, was one of the team’s leading scorers during summer play. Senior center Tyler Mancusso, who had a successful summer season, and sophomore attacker Carmon Hauer, whom Damato said was a “very creative player,” also return to the varsity roster.

Newcomers to the varsity are junior Samer Alkateb, who at 6-foot-3, gives the Breakers a big presence at two-meters, and junior Tommy Renner, a fast defender who was the MVP at the JV and frosh/soph levels last year.

“A great thing about this group of guys is that many of them have been playing together since they were 8 or 9 years old,” Damato said. “They have great chemistry in and out of the water.

“This summer we did very well defensively and showed that we can play very fast. If teams are able to slow us down, our challenges will come on the offensive end and in finding consistency as a team.”

Laguna will scrimmage against Foothill and Riverside Poly on Sept. 7 at Foothill, then officially open the season Sept. 10 at Villa Park.

The schedule is challenging, to no one’s surprise.

“Our nonleague schedule is tough as always,” Damato said. “We play Newport Harbor, Murietta Valley, Villa Park, Dana Hills and Mission Viejo, who are all either in Division 1 or 2. In our division, Division 3, we play Mira Costa, El Segundo, Damien, all top-5- or-6 teams. A big game on our schedule will at Palos Verdes, which was D-4 last year before being moved to D-3, and who should be very strong.

“These games are extremely important, as the winner will have the higher seed going into CIF.”

The Orange Coast League, which Laguna has dominated, will have a new look this year with the addition of Saddleback.

“Saddleback is in the our league this year and traditionally they have had a strong team,” Damato said. “Estancia also brings back some guys from last year. We look forward to those challenges and we are excited about bringing another league title to Laguna Beach High.”

2010 Schedule

Sept. 10: at Villa Park

Sept. 16-18: at Riverside Poly Tournament

Sept. 21: vs. Mira Costa

Sept. 23-25: South Coast Newport Harbor Tournament

Sept. 28: vs. El Segundo

Sept. 29: Sage Hill at Costa Mesa League Showcase

Oct. 5: vs. Dana Hills

Oct. 6: at *Estancia

Oct. 8: vs. Murrieta Valley

Oct. 13: vs. *Godinez

Oct. 14: at Palos Verdes

Oct. 15: at Newport Harbor

Oct. 20: at *Costa Mesa

Oct. 22: at Damien

Oct. 27: vs. *Saddleback

Oct. 26-31: at Servite or Northern Cal tournament

Nov. 5: at Mission Viejo

* denotes Orange Coast League game