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The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The Wilson Bruins have been the gold standard in the Moore League with 16 consecutive league championships, so the rich tradition of the program is known and respected.
However, third-year coach Zac Polmanteer isn’t afraid to rock the boat. He is a Wilson alum who knows how the program has played in the past, but he’s also working on some ideas to evolve the Bruins’ game.
“We’re still going to play fast and aggressive, but the idea is to make sure that last pass is lethal and perfect,” Polmanteer said. “I feel like we’re finally at a pace where I want to compete at the high levels of Division 1 and maybe if we get it together I think we can compete to be an open divisions level team.”
The Bruins are counting on returning All-Moore League players Enzo Brigagliano, Samson Casem, Elijah Vince and Vaughn Baker to step up as leaders after the graduation of Moore League Player Of the Year Wyatt Mitchell.
“We look good,” Polmanteer said recently after wins over Westlake, Servite and Los Alamitos. “We have a small but experienced class so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve used a (large rotation of players) in these games to see what clicks.”
One of the new wrinkles is using two goalkeepers in rotation with junior Andrew Demboski, sophomore Christian Marov-Perez and both getting quality playing time in the cage early in the season. Demboski is a long 6’6” intimidating goalie with great presence in and out of the pool. Marov-Perez is a more aggressive keeper with great intuition for the flow of the game.
“To get shooters in a lull when they think they figured out a goalie, and then to be able to put somebody else in that our defense has trust in is really valuable,” Polmanteer said.
In front of those goalies, the senior trio Vince, Brigagliano and Gavin Simon will be asked to provide key contributions at both ends of the pool. Polmanteer said Vince has flourished in his new role as a more center defender, Brigagliano has turned into a force to be reckoned with at the 2-meter and Simon has taken over the role of left side attacker thanks to his natural catch and shoot motion.
Sophomores Vaughn Baker and Fernando Rejon are both back after gaining invaluable experience as freshman at the varsity level. Baker is a sharp shooter who is deadly in transition. Rejon is back to bolster the defense after returning from an injury suffered late last season.
One of the other wrinkles being implemented by Polmanteer comes from watching recent Olympic water polo and soccer and it’s about focusing on time and possession.
“I’ve been inspired by how teams control ball movement and control when and where the ball goes somewhere,” he said. “Especially when it’s time to finish. We’re going to be much more specific when we throw what I call the kill pass or that pass to score.”
