Centers come through for Sailors

NEWPORT BEACH — The Chicago Bulls of the mid-1990s used a so-called “three-headed monster” of Luc Longley, Bill Wennington and Will Perdue at center.

This year, the Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo team has a similar situation at the center (two- meter) position, although the trio of Zach Osadche, David Linden and Matt Russell is considerably more talented.

They showed it Saturday night against rival Corona del Mar, combining for five goals in the Sailors’ 14-9 nonleague Battle of the Bay victory at Newport Harbor High.

Russell started out the game with a goal from two meters on the Sailors’ first possession of the game. Then, with Newport Harbor hanging onto a tenuous 9-8 lead headed into the fourth quarter, Osadche and Linden combined for three goals in the last seven minutes to put the game out of reach.

“This was probably our best offensive game,” Sailors Coach Jason Lynch said of his team, ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Division I coaches’ poll. “Our shooting was 58%, and we got some production from the center position. They did a good job, and more importantly they’re playing defense.”

Seniors Colin McKibbin and Clinton Jorth each scored four goals for Newport Harbor (19-2), which led, 3-0, late in the first quarter. But the No. 5-ranked Sea Kings (14-6) would not be so easily thrown aside.

They scored two six-on-five goals, one from Brian Schiefer and one from Nick Klein, to pull within a goal as the quarter ended.

CdM lived on the power play the whole night, going nine-for-12 on its man-advantages.

“We drive really well, and we move really well,” CdM Coach Barry O’Dea said. “Those are all young guys that I’ve got moving and grooving over there, and they’re starting to figure it out.”

The Sea Kings even took the lead midway through the second quarter, at 5-4, when Chris Cottrell’s shot from the left just trickled in. Lynch said Newport Harbor was perhaps focusing too intensely on shutting down CdM sophomore Max Bergeson, leaving other players open with the Sea Kings up a man.

“Having Max on our team as a strong lefty, he’s a threat they have to honor,” said Cottrell, who had a team-high three goals. “That can open something else on the other side, and we have very strong right-handers on the side opposite of Max.”

But Newport Harbor, which hasn’t been trailing much this season, immediately responded to its deficit. Jorth scored three goals to close out the half and stake the Sailors to a 7-5 halftime lead.

“I thought we were just trading goals and kind of breaking down on defense,” Jorth said. “I knew we needed something to spark us and get us fired back up. I was countering, taking some steals, just trying to work and get the rest of the team fired up. It just takes one guy to create a spark, and then we get going.”

CdM scored three more six-on-five goals in the third quarter and trailed just 9-8 heading into the fourth. But that’s when Newport started to do its damage.

Osadche scored a goal from two meters, then got a key steal. Andy Hayes’ long shot from the right then went in just before the shot-clock buzzer, pushing the Tars’ lead to 11-8. Linden then scored his second goal of the game, giving Newport Harbor a four-goal lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“We have a lot of set guys this year,” Osadche said. “I think coach has been really seeing that we need a good, solid set position. [The depth] gives everyone a little rest, keeps the energy up.”

Lynch also said he was proud of the Sailors’ defense.

“We didn’t allow a natural goal, so I think we played good defense,” Lynch said. “I think the kids did a great job keeping their composure, despite the discrepancies in ejections [12 for Newport Harbor, four for CdM].”

But it was Schiefer, who scored two goals for the Sea Kings, who probably best summed up the feelings of players from both rival squads.

“I knew it’d be a tough game, but I really enjoyed it,” Schiefer said. “Win or lose, it’s what I live for.”

CdM’s Carter Taylor and Newport Harbor’s Brandon Parole each had a game-high three steals. Myles Christian had seven saves for the Sailors, including one on a five-meter penalty shot.

Nonleague

Newport Harbor 14, Corona del Mar 9

SCORE BY QUARTERS

CdM – Cottrell 3, Schiefer 2, Bergeson 1, Klein 1, Reynolds 1, Taylor 1. Saves – Anderson 5.

NH – McKibbin 4, Jorth 4, Osadche 2, Linden 2, Russell 1, Hayes 1. Saves – Christian 7.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at [email protected].