South Coast water polo tournament starts today

The South Coast Tournament, one of the top high school boys’ water polo events, starts today.

Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar play host to the three-day event. The Sailors won the title last year, making it the first time since 1999.

The Sailors, the defending CIF Southern Section Division I champions, will have a tough time repeating.

Los Alamitos, El Toro, CdM and Foothill, ranked No. 1, 2, 3, and 5, respectively, in the CIF Southern Section Division I preseason coaches’ poll, are the top four seeds. Out of the top 10 teams, only three are not at the tournament.

Newport Harbor plays Santa Margarita today at 5 p.m., and CdM plays Granite Hills at 3 p.m.

— From staff reports