Polo playoff teams ready to hit the pool
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

October has turned to November and with it comes the time of year all high school boys' water polo players look forward to, the time that makes all the grueling and intense practices in August finally worth it.

In other words, it's time for the playoffs.

Many local teams will contend for a chance to play in the championship game Nov. 17 at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine. Leading the way once again is Agoura High.

For the second straight year, the Chargers won the Marmonte League and enter the CIFSouthern Section Division IV Boys' Water Polo Championships as the No. 1 overall seed. Agoura will host Paso Robles, who won a wild-card game on Tuesday.

"It's now a brand new season," Agoura head coach Dustin Litvak said. "It's the playoffs and every team is good. We know that we are the No. 1 seed and that we have a target on our backs. Everyone is going to try and knock us off that top spot."

Agoura is led by senior Peter Kurzeka and senior goalkeeper Ryan Paris. Litvak is hoping their experience can help lead his team to a championship.

"We had the No. 1 seed last year and lost in the semifinals," Litvak said. "It's not necessarily the best team that wins CIF. It's the team that plays four solid games in a row."

Just down the road from Agoura is Oaks Christian, who enters the playoffs as the No. 1 seed from the Tri-Valley League.

The Lions host Oxnard, the No. 3 seed from the Pacific View League. OCHS head coach Stuart Craft will need to get solid play from his four-year seniors, Tyler Reardon and Michael Craft, if the Lions are to advance.

Agoura's league rival, Royal High, enters the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from the Marmonte League. The Highlanders will host Santa Ynez today and could potentially face Oaks Christian in the second round.

Moorpark won Tuesday in a wild-card game against Lompoc. MHS will now play last year's champ, Mira Costa High.

Westlake High lost its wildcard game against Palos Verdes High, 97, on Tuesday. The contest was held at Mira Costa.

Game time for each match is set for 3:15 p.m. today.