Until things change, Chargers remain the champs

Marmonte League fall preview: Boys’ water polo


FIRE WHEN READY—Agoura High junior water polo player Jon Lai, center, looks for an open shot on goal during practice.

FIRE WHEN READY—Agoura High junior water polo player Jon Lai, center, looks for an open shot on goal during practice.

Marmonte League boys’ water polo teams have big goals this season.

Agoura High wants to defend its league crown. Royal, which lost a pair of one-goal games to the Chargers in 2009, is the toughest challenger and a favorite to claim the Marmonte crown.

Thousand Oaks, sick of playing third fiddle, believes it has the weapons to hang with the big boys.

Westlake, Newbury Park and Moorpark—who shared fourth place last year—crave a move up the food chain. And a revamped offense and a veteran senior nucleus give Calabasas hope.

Here is a closer look at how the league’s seven squads are shaping up:

Royal Highlanders

Six coaches said the Highlanders will wrest a league championship from Agoura.

Just don’t tell Steve Snyder, Royal’s head coach.

“We are nothing until we or anyone else beats Agoura,” Snyder said. “They’re the reigning champs—and we know that.”

Royal has arguably the strongest collection of individual talent in the league and nearly its entire core returning.

Cody Moore, a junior driver/ attacker, is the best player in the Marmonte and perhaps the county. The Highlander spent his summer racking up victories with the U.S. Junior National team in Sicily.

“He kind of was just a skinny kid the last couple of years,” Snyder said of Moore. “He’s really put some bulk onto his frame, and he’s refining his hand-eye coordination skills.”

Thor English is a returning first-team junior goalie. A multisport star—he’s the league MVP in boys’ soccer and a boys’ volleyball standout—English is an exceptional athlete.

Zach Graper and Mike Arteaga are senior drivers. Quinn Corbin, a senior who played junior varsity polo last year after transferring from Moorpark, is another skilled driver.

Dustin Schwab and Ryan Krieger, both juniors, are returning starters. Jesse Camou and Nick Contreras are another pair of impact players.

Charles Maclardie should make waves as a freshman. Moore’s brother Bryce is another promising freshman. Kade Ramirez, Cameron Knudsen, Jack O’Donnell, Austin Abhari and Dylan Hoeck also contribute.

“This team’s an enigma,” Snyder said. “There’s a lot of individual talent on this team, and they’re all becoming experienced players. The rest of the guys in league are right to have a healthy concern for us. But I just question our focus as a team. It’s going to take more work on our part to come together as a team. . . .

“We have a huge amount of potential. It’s up to them to live up to it.”

Agoura Chargers

The defending champs didn’t spend their summer performing cannonballs and reenacting the Baby Ruth scene in “Caddyshack.”

Most Chargers spent six or seven hours a day working in the pool this offseason.

“We were hit hard by graduation,” AHS head coach Dustin Litvak said. “We feel like we have a lot of guys who stepped up over the summer.

“Last year we came in as one of the favorites. We won’t be the favorite going in. That’s better. It makes you work harder.”

Jake Villarreal, a 2-meter standout, and goalie Chris Stane are senior captains.

Their play is crucial this season, the coach said.

“Jake works hard. He’s serious about it,” Litvak said. “I was really impressed with (Stane’s) play over the summer. He’s really intelligent. He’s a great passer and really poised.”

Junior utilities Danny McClintick and Adam Abdulhamid are go-to guys for Agoura. McClintick is a versatile athlete, while Abdulhamid is an intelligent, strong shooter.

The Chargers also picked up former Royal standout Andrew Moore, a sophomore transfer, according to Snyder.

Agoura, which has a dozen players capable of starting, must tighten its defense, Litvak said.

“Everything starts and ends with defense,” he said. “We definitely have a lot of offensive weapons with guys who can shoot. . . .

“If I had to pick one weakness over the summer, it’s that we gave up too many goals each game. Our individual and team defense needs to improve.”

Thousand Oaks Lancers
The Lancers are primed to make their move.

“We want to battle for a league title and CIF title,” head coach Mike Giles said. “There’s no reason we can’t talk about that. We’re raising the bar on expectations.”

Thousand Oaks blends a strong senior base with up-andcoming underclassmen. The squad boasts the offensive versatility to attack from all angles, and chemistry is solidifying rapidly.

“This is a solid group of guys who want to play like a team,” Giles said. “There are no egos, just players who work well together.”

Mike Potter, a left-handed attacker, utility Alex Boone and center defender/attacker Alex Strumwasser are senior leaders.

Junior Ben Rogers is a center offensive player. Pierce Hening is a quick, athletic attacker. Neil Forsythe can score, defend and draw ejections.

Josh Andersen starts at goalie. Last year’s goalkeeper, Dominic Valentino, displays a different skill set in the pool as a shooter and defensive ace. Valentino could play goalie in a pinch.

Westlake Warriors

The Warriors hope their team speed, offensive efficiency and bench depth will carry them to a top-three finish in the Marmonte.

Westlake head coach Todd Irmas feels good about his squad’s chances in the pool.

“Our chemistry is the best it’s been in a while,” Irmas said. “I’m happy with our practices.”

Thomas Turner is crucial in spearheading Westlake’s counterattack offense. The sophomore 2-meter offense is a fast swimmer and hard worker who offers a unique dimension, the coach said.

Senior Nick Doder, the school’s all-time assists leader, is a strong passer and shooter.

Doder, whose defense improved, is a threat to become Westlake’s career goal scorer.

Sam Delaney and Tyler Shepard are senior 2-meter defensive standouts. The 6-foot-2 Delaney is a left-handed shooter with strong legs.

Sophomore Sean Cicchi could be the Warriors’ X-factor. A talented and quick player, Cicchi just needs varsity experience.

Playing well game to game is crucial for Westlake.

“Part of our problem in the past has been consistency within games and throughout the season,” Irmas said. “My big focus is consistency from opening sprint to the closing buzzer.”

Moorpark Musketeers

Chris Beattie’s first season was a success by any measure.

After struggling for years, Moorpark raised eyebrows by earning a fourth-place tie last year under the guidance of Beattie.

Expectations remain high for a team that thrives in an up-tempo style of water polo.

“I’m really happy with how we finished,” Beattie said. “I think we can have a similar season this year with a combination of veterans and newcomers gelling to make it work.”

Seniors Jeff Markling and Ryan Fleming are the top returning Musketeers.

Markling is a strong, big utility. Fleming is a tough player who often finds himself in the right place at the right time.

Sophomore whole set Derrick Peters is another offensive threat.

Newbury Park Panthers

Although the Panthers lost their top two scorers and starting goalie to graduation, Newbury Park feels good about this season.

“Our overall strength is our depth,” head coach Dave Gleisberg said. “On any day, we could have a different leading scorer. If we can get goals and make key defensive stops, we’ll be a well-rounded team.”

Gleisberg said Newbury Park’s versatile offense will give opposing defenses fits. NPHS can score on counterattacks, set plays and outside shots.

Phillip Hay, a senior driver, is a player to watch.

Dylan Ito, another senior driver, is a smart athlete who can read the defense and dictate action. He’s a strong passer and shooter.

Junior 2-meter offense Shea Craig is a solid outside shooter.

Liam Powers, a junior, and senior Mason Atkins share minutes at goalkeeper.

Calabasas Coyotes

Seven seniors lead the Coyotes, but a new offense will give this team a shot in the arm.

The offense, which emphasizes movement to create isolation opportunities, provides openings for two left-handers and strong outside shooters.

Greg Poppen enters his fourth season at CHS, meaning every player developed in his system.

“We have a shot at the playoffs,” the coach said. “Everyone on varsity has come up with me. They have experience. And I’m feeling good about the sophomores we’ve moved up. It will be an interesting season.”

Ryan Sobel is a skilled offensive player with a deft touch on his outside shot. The senior is also a savvy defender.

Ryan Benyamin and Ben Griefer are senior captains. Benyamin is an attacker who can score from the perimeter. Griefer, an outside shooter, is expected to miss a month with an injury.

Dillon Greene is an aggressive, intense junior with a wide blocking range at goalie. Senior Kyle Kazarissis is a big, strong goalie who will compete for playing time.

Shane Patterson, a utility and attacker, could enjoy a breakout sophomore season.

Seniors Sam Wallen, Michael Rosen and Shayon Javadizadeh contribute. Sophomores Arman Escobar and Ryan Zamanzadeh round out the Calabasas roster.

“No matter what happens in the season,” Poppen said, “it’s going to be fun because it’s a solid group of guys.”

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