For openers, Tars get revenge

LONG BEACH — The Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo team opened a new season just like it closed last season: playing Long Beach Wilson High at Belmont Plaza Pool.

Fortunately for the Sailors, that’s where the similarities ended.

Newport Harbor scored nine second-half goals to top Long Beach Wilson, 13-5, on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2005 CIF Southern Section Division I championship game.

But although the Sailors lost in that contest, 13-11, a new year means a chance for a new beginning. Newport’s new start includes a No. 2 ranking in Division I in a preseason coaches’ poll. Five-time defending Division I champion Long Beach Wilson was tied for 10th in the rankings.

“Last year it was a hard defeat,” said Tars senior Blake Hockenbury, who scored a team-high four goals on Tuesday. “It felt really good to come back in here and get the job done. We’ve been working really hard the last three weeks to stay in shape, so we can play all four quarters.”

Newport Harbor took a 2-0 lead after a quarter, getting on the board first when Riley Hayes scored off a rebound of Nick Yeager’s shot.

Yeager added his own goal with 23 seconds left in the quarter.

After Wilson’s Holden Deaton scored a power-play goal midway through the second quarter, Hayes scored again, then the Sailors’ Clinton Jorth got an opportunity.

Jorth took a clean steal from Wilson’s Dick Storey, then sped down the pool to create a one-on-one opportunity with Bruins’ goalie Taylor Lapin.

Lapin blocked Jorth’s initial shot but Jorth’s follow-up lob shot went in, giving Newport a 4-1 halftime lead.

“I’m kind of injured right now [shoulder] so I’m staying back and trying to set my teammates up and let them shine,” Jorth said. “But it’s a good opening game. It should get us pumped up for the season.”

In the second half, Newport’s superior conditioning blew the game open. The Sailors scored six goals in the third quarter alone, two by Hockenbury, to take a 10-2 lead.

“I think that’s one of our biggest strengths, our conditioning,” Newport Harbor Coach Jason Lynch said. “I think that’s something that’ll happen a lot for us, that we’ll wear some teams down. It’s probably one of the best teams I’ve had as far as conditioning.”

Andy Hayes’ goal with one second left in the game gave Newport its 13th goal, although Wilson goalie Lapin scored on a desperation heave at the final buzzer.

Nonleague

Newport Harbor 13,

Long Beach Wilson 5

Score by Quarters

Newport 2

2

6

3

—

13

LB Wilson

0

1

1

3

— 5

Newport Harbor -- Hockenbury 4, Jorth 2, R. Hayes 2, McKibbin, Yeager, McGhie, Sherman, A. Hayes. Saves -- McLain 6, Christian 4.

Long Beach Wilson -- Deaton 2, Smith, Blackledge, Lapin. Saves -- Lapin 6.