The562’s coverage of boys’ water polo is sponsored by Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The postseason has arrived and the Wilson Bruins are chomping at the bit to show everyone that the return to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals last season wasn’t a fluke.
Wilson hosts Santa Margarita today at 5:15 p.m. at Belmont Outdoor Pool in the Division 1 opener.
The Bruins (14-14) won a 15th consecutive Moore League title this season, and Santa Margarita (13-13) is an at-large bid out of the Trinity League.
“I expect a very good, competitive game because we have pretty similar styles and common opponents,” Wilson coach Zach Polmanteer said. “They are a tactical, intellectual team.”
Wilson and Santa Margarita have both played Corona del Mar, Servite, Miramonte, Palos Verde, Mater Dei, Menlo, Huntington Beach and Mira Costa this season. The Bruins went 4-4 in those games while the Eagles went 3-5. However, Wilson ended its season with a 12-10 overtime win over Mira Costa on Friday. Santa Margarita beat Mira Costa 20-5 in early October.
“Going into this season a lot of people have counted us out,” added fellow senior Sean Tunnicliff. “Going into the postseason we think we can make a really deep run and we’ve just got to stay as a team and we’re fighting for it.”
The winner of this first round matchup will face the winner of El Dorado and No. 2 seed Corona del Mar.
