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Wilson, Long Beach Poly, Millikan and Cabrillo are officially preparing for the CIF Southern Section boys’ water polo playoffs after the brackets were released today.
The lower divisions start with the first round on Tuesday and the top divisions begin on Thursday.
Wilson (17-10) was close to making the Open Division after winning a 17th consecutive Moore League championship and beating Mira Costa on the last two days of the regular season. However, the Bruins were fortunate to end up as a top-four seed in Division 1 and start the playoffs by hosting Sage Hill on Thursday.
Sage Hill (20-7) finished fourth in the quality Pacific Coast League. The Lightning are coming off a disappointing double-overtime loss to league rival Laguna Beach in the regular season finale. Sage Hill has bounced back well from a .500 season in 2023.
Wilson senior Enzo Brigagliano thinks that controlling high emotions for big games starts before the opening whistle.
“Honestly it’s the entire day, the day before, the week in advance,” he said. “Coach Berg told me when I was a freshman during swim season, ‘You have to visualize being ready for the moment.’ The spotlight burns hot, and you just have to be ready for it. That keeps you calm and in check. But we’ve been here before. We know what it takes.”
In Division 2, Long Beach Poly (17-10) also got a fortunate draw by avoiding the bottom of Division 1 but just a few spots. Instead of taking on a team like Wilson in the first round, the Jackrabbits host La Serna on Tuesday. Poly is also a top-four seed.
La Serma (11-15) had a losing record this year but are champions of the Del Rio League.
“Our team is peaking at the right time,” Poly coach Ish Pluton said. “We’ve had a long build this season, this year has been a nice upward trajectory as opposed to a roller coaster that some teams get into. It’s been nice to see us build. Playing an emotional game back to back, that’s tough, and they proved they have the mental fortitude to do it so I’m happy about it.”
Millikan (13-11) is in Division 3 after a third-place finish in the Moore League and will visit Flintridge Prep (15-11) on Tuesday in first round action. The Wolves are co-league champions out of the Prep League.
Cabrillo (11-9) delivered in the clutch and beat Lakewood 10-9 on the last day of the regular season to earn the at-large bid out of the Moore League. The Jaguars host Kennedy (13-9) on Tuesday. Kennedy finished second in the Orange Coast League.
