September 16, 2010
September 12, 2010
This past weekend the boys and girls Varsity water polo teams attended the annual Silver State Shootout Tournament in Reno, Nevada. The girls were undefeated in 5 consecutive games untill their last game, losing 6-4 to the Kerns All-star Team, but taking home 2nd place. The starting lineup was, seniors Alisa Hokanson (driver) and Rebecca Belliveau (whole D), and juniors Megan Ottoboni (whole set), Katelyn Clark (driver), Samatha Steadman (driver), Erin Swardenski (sprinter), and Lauren Little (goalie). The girls had a great start their first game, winning 4 to 2 with Ottoboni and Belliveau scoring two goals each. Belliveau scored a total of 11 goals over the duration of the tournament, assisting her team to the championship game. Megan drew 7 ejections benefiting Washington, creating unequal defensive opportunities for the other team.
The girls ranked higher in the annual tournament than any team before them.
The boys, however, began with an off start. One of their key starters, junior Brock Liebhardt, was injured prior to the tournament.
Their starters were seniors Dillon Green (whole D), Chase Boutte (driver), and Michael Bauer (driver); and juniors Mitchell Youhanna (whole set), Grant Perry (sprinter), and Elias Mendez (goalie). The boys ended the tournament with one win and three losses. Youhanna said, “ All of our losses were very close; I am looking forward to the rest of the season and the Reno tournament next year.”
The official season starts on Tuesday, September 21st WHS vs. NMHS.
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November 10, 2009
Jordan Brahaney
In the annual alumni water polo game at the Washington pool, Oct. 17, 28 players showed up. The girls started the game off with alumni Jenna Silva of ’05, Traci Robertson of ’05, Kristy Cardone of ’06, Katie Rehnberg of ’06, Erin Carscadden of ’09, Allie Norris of ’04 and Carissa Bergman of ’98 against the current varsity girls team.
“It was great to come back and see everyone [again],” Carscadden said.
The game was even refereed, and a few fouls were called to make the game more official.
“The game was really fun, even though the alumni ended up beating us. Every one had a good time, and was really relaxed. We learned a lot in general from the alumni,” sophomore Caitlin Yamaguchi said.
The alumni boys team included Mo Dictor of ’06, Page Frakes, Joe Nilson of ’06, Cameron Brahmst of ’05, Jimmy Dunsford of ’08, Kevin DeFranco, of ’08, Richard Montgomery of ’73, Casey Cardone of ’04, Sean Nicolaysen of ‘03, James Yauch of ’02, Sean Ceballos-McGee of ’03, Matt Dring of ’08, Christ Dring of ‘05, Vincent Guevara of ’02, Randy Usedom of ’78, Scott Harvey of ’08, Jim Hassett of ’90, Nonda Kozas of ’08, A J Griffeth of ‘09 with Ken Neumeister of ’73 and Bob Dunsford of ’76.
The current varsity boys managed to keep the game close, losing by only a few points to the alumni.
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October 19, 2009
09/19/09 @ Foothill (Pleasenton) 7-4 (W)
09/24/09 v. American (Fremont) 19-2 (W)
09/29/09 v. Newark Memorial (Newark) 9-8 (W)
10/1/09 v. James Logan (Union City) 9-8 (W)
10/06/09 v. Irvington (Fremont) 15-4 (W)
10/08/09 v. Mission San Jose (Fremont) 5-7 (L)
10/13/09 @ American (Fremont) (W)
10/15/09 @ Newark Memorial (Newark) (W)
10/20/09 @ James Logan (Union City) (W)
10/22/09 @ Irvington (Fremont) (W)
10/27/09 @ Mission San Jose (Fremont) (L)
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October 16, 2009
Matt Moore
In the first weekend of October, the Washington boys water polo team came, saw and conquered four teams in two days at the Contra Costa Water Polo Tournament, establishing them as a force to be reckoned with throughout NCS. The team dominated formidable opponents such as California High School and Livermore High School, scoring 49 goals total while holding their opponents to a mere 17. This accomplishment was made even more impressive due to the fact that last year, both Cal High and favorite-to-win Livermore were ranked well above our school, but as the Contra Costa Tournament showed, it’s a whole different ball game this year.
The first day of competition was marred by controversy. Although the day got started on an excellent note with Washington decimating Berkeley High School, 22-1, the late afternoon game against Novato proved to be a vicious battle. Washington coach Gene Kendall received a red card, barring him from finishing the game and from coaching the subsequent game. Not only that, but the Novato team repeatedly choked WHS players and went unpunished. At one point in the game, the Novato team was credited with an extra point, despite protestations from both teams that the score was incorrect. In spite of the adversity, Washington prevailed 13-7 and moved onto the semi-finals, where they faced Cal High, who were ranked seventh last year at NCS, well above the Washington team ranked at sixteenth.
In the semifinals, Washington’s incredible improvement since last year was obvious. In every aspect of the game, our boys water polo team proved to be superior, scoring more points while rendering Cal High’s offense completely ineffective.
It feels great to beat Cal High since they were ranked higher last year. It’s going to look good in the post-season. We played a really solid team-oriented game,” junior Dillon Green said.
In the finals, Washington was the underdog against Livermore, a team that many suspected to win, and who the Huskies acknowledged as a tough opponent.
I think that if we play our best we can beat Livermore,” senior Seth Neumann said.
Anticipation was high, especially since surprise was widespread amongst Livermore parents that Washington had made it this far. They were even further astonished as the Huskies demolished their offense, ensuring that until the last two minutes, they held Livermore to only two points, whereas Washington scored seven goals. When the game ended 7-5, Washington’s win, Livermore players and parents looked bewildered and confused that they lost to a team they expected to come in third or even fourth place, but ended up winning the tournament.
After all the crowds had left and all the pictures taken, Kendall, who was able to coach the final game, had only praise for the way the Huskies had carried themselves, and his belief in what the team can accomplish:
This tournament showed we were an elite team. These games weren’t squeakers, some five to four desperation shot wins. We handled them,” Kendall said.
With this important tournament win, the team is projected to be a possible top six team at NCS championships this year. More importantly, they have also proved to the league and to themselves that they can compete with the best, and succeed, no matter what challenges lie on the road ahead.
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October 4, 2009
Jordan Brahaney
9-8 was the final score to a close victory of the Girls Waterpolo team against Newark Memorial High School. Controversy was seen between the game officials and the WHS girls’ coach after the tying point was scored that brought the girls to an 8-8 tie.
“The refs did a pretty good job, but they made many questionable calls,” Coach Cameron Brahmst said.
The controversy occurred after a shot was blocked. Newark gained possession, then passed the ball back to senior Kaley Marden, who immediately shot from close range to tie the game. The officials then proceeded to halt the game to discuss the shot and ruled it a goal. The lead was taken with another close range shot that Rebecca Belliveau delivered with little time left on the clock, and the last 50 seconds were spent running the clock down.
“We showed Newark that Huskies don’t quit,” Brahmst said.
Coach Brahmst saw positives in the defense playing strong, but the turnovers the girls gave up were his greatest worry for the season. Playing smart, as Coach Brahmst put it, and limiting turnovers is what the girls are looking toward working on for the season.
Photo Credit: Paolo Bonaccorsi
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September 25, 2009
Kaylee Miu
The girls water polo team played their first seasonal MVAL game against American High School Sept. 24.
“It went swimmingly,” joked senior and co-captain Breana Meagher.
Defeating the Eagles 18-2, the Huskies had a solid performance. Senior Jocelyne Yamaguchi, junior Ally Hokanson and sophomore Megan Ottoboni scored three goals each in the game.
However, with one game down, the girls will be facing tough competition– Newark Memorial High Sept. 29 at home. According to players on the team, this upcoming game will be one of their toughest matches.
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September 25, 2009
Matt Moore
During the Sept. 24 match, the boys water polo team left no room for debate in who was the better team in the pool, 22-1. At halftime, the score already stood at 10-1 with Huskies in lead. In the second half of the game, WHS dominated American, scoring 12 goals and rejecting every ball aimed at the WHS goal line, largely due to senior Chris Hughes’s eight saves, five of which came in the second half.
On offense, the key players were seniors Tyler Ocon, Jeremy Correia, sophomores Brock Liebhardt and Mitchell Yohanna.
Correia, who was repeatedly fouled during the course of the game, said of his performance, “If they’re going to hang off me, I’m going to shoot the ball.”
Coach Gene Kendall, after the conclusion of the game, had nothing but glowing praise for the team’s performance.
“We played great defense, we only let them have one goal the entire game. On offense, we were very balanced, as we had multiple guys scoring,” Kendall said.
A look at the scorecard proves his point, as every player scored at least one goal. If tonight is any indicator of the rest of the season, the boys water polo team is going straight to the championships.
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September 22, 2009
By Matt Moore
Photo by Seth Numann
On Sept. 17 at the Silver Cup shootout tournament in Reno, Nevada, the WHS boys water polo team performed admirably, taking on four opponents in two days, and decisively beating out three of those opponents. Not only that, but every member of the boys water polo team scored at least one goal during the tournament.
Varsity player senior Seth Neumann had a bright outlook after the end of the tournament.
”We played our best, and we had a great time doing it. This is going to be a great year,” he said.
This does seem to be the truth, as the team has multiple returning varsity players, who will not only ensure that the team wins, but also ensure that the newer players have mentors to look up to, and carry on the team.
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