Orange County’s hottest water polo rivalry is joining a star-studded international lineup this week at Corona del Mar.
The annual “Battle of the Bay” nonleague match between Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar’s girls will be played Friday at 5 p.m. at Corona del Mar, which is also playing host to the Holiday Cup women’s tournament Tuesday-Sunday.
Fourth-ranked Corona del Mar will take on No. 8 Newport Harbor after a match between Spain and Netherlands at 3 p.m. and before the U.S.-Italy game at 7:30 p.m.
The Holiday Cup is offering free admission on Friday.
The U.S. women’s national team is the reigning Olympic and world champion while Spain claimed the silver at the 2012 Olympics. Netherlands finished second to Team USA at the world championships in August.
On Thursday, the Olympic-qualified U.S. men play reigning Olympic champion Croatia at Corona del Mar at 8 p.m. …
This week’s girls schedule also features a duel between the top-two ranked teams in the county. Two-time defending Division 1 champion Laguna Beach takes on No. 2 Orange Lutheran at the Santa Margarita showcase Saturday at 11 a.m.
– DAN ALBANO
BOYS WATER POLO
Three players from Mater Dei’s Division 1 champion boys water polo team earned All-CIF honors while Dana Hills’ Bennett Williams, Foothill’s Bobby Lee and Capistrano Valley’s Austin Sechrest earned CIF player of the year awards, the Southern Section announced.
The Monarchs’ trio of Thomas Dunstan, Luke Wyatt and Sean Duncan each were selected All-CIF for Division 1.
Wyatt recently committed to USC, said Monarchs coach Chris Segesman, selected Division 1 coach of the year.
In Division 2, Williams – the Register’s player of the year – shared Division 2 player of the year with Lee. Foothill’s Jim Brumm was selected coach of the year. Sechrest earned Division 3 co-player of the year with Hudson Rawlings of champion Murrieta Valley.
Segerstrom’s Tim Fredericksen was selected Division 6 coach of the year after leading the Jaguars to the title.
– DAN ALBANO
FOOTBALL
Saddleback Valley Christian’s state championship-bound football team might have the youngest coaching staff in Orange County.
First-year coach Brendan Chambers is 26 and also serves as offensive coordinator for the Warriors (15-0). Defensive coordinator Casey MacIntosh is 27, and in his first season at SVC.
Defensive back coach Vic Alexandria is 32. And there’s offensive line/linebackers coach Jordan McIntosh, 25.
“Very young crew,” Chambers said after the Warriors’ 59-45 victory against Kennedy of Delano in the Division V-A regional game Saturday at Laguna Hills.
The Warriors’ youthful staff also has been aided in the postseason by Servite quarterback coach Robb Fahrion, who has helped coach wide receivers.
Offensive line coach Mark Davidson, 54, is the veteran. He is a former assistant at St. Margaret’s, a small-school state champion a few seasons ago. Fahrion also coached at St. Margaret’s.
Saddleback Valley Christian plays host to St. Bernard’s of Eureka (13-1) in the state title game Saturday at Laguna Hills at 6 p.m.
“We’re 27-1 in the last two years,” Chambers said. “The coaching staff definitely believes that we’re on the rise and I truly believe that. Something special is happening at Saddleback Valley Christian. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
– DAN ALBANO
BOYS SOCCER
A Ricardo Sanchez goal in the 75th minute broke a tie with host Brea Olinda on Saturday night, and helped No. 8 Sunny Hills (5-1-1) win the Wildcat Cup for the third time, their most recent triumph coming in 2010. Sunny Hills also won in 2003 and finished runner-up in 2007.
Kevin and Randy Perez also scored for No. 8 Sunny Hills (5-1-1) while Danny Abrego knocked in a pair of goals for the No. 10 Wildcats, giving him five goals during the tournament.
Abrego was the first player to score on Sunny Hills in more than 160 minutes, and his goals account for two of the four that the Lancers have allowed this season.
Daniel Martinez was in goal in all five of the Lancers’ games during the tournament, three of which ended in a shutout, giving him a .571 goals against average this season.
– DAMIAN DOTTORE
GIRLS WRESTLING
More than 400 girls representing 49 schools participated in the fourth annual Lady Saints Tournament on Saturday at Santa Ana High.
In the first year of the tournament, there were 150 wrestlers. Coach Tim Byers said the 2016 tournament will likely be over two days.
Valencia’s Gabby Garcia won the 126-pound weight class, winning all five of her matches by fall. Esperanza’s Gwen McDonald finished second. Savanna’s Yoslin Paredes won the 143-pound B bracket.
There will be girls tournaments Saturday at Esperanza and Mater Dei.
– DAMIAN CALHOUN
WRESTLING
Calvary Chapel’s Justin (160) and Jeremy Thomas (170) finished second in their weight classes at the Walsh Ironman on Saturday in Ohio.
Justin Thomas, who is ranked No. 1 in the state at 160, lost to Alex Marinelli of Graham, Ohio, by fall in the finals. Jeremy Thomas, who is ranked second in the state at 152 pounds, dropped a 5-1 decision to Austin Bell of Pennsylvania.
Last year, Jeremy finished third at 145 pounds and Justin was eighth at 152. …
In local tournament action this week: The Ed Spring Classic at Brea Olinda and the Mann Classic at Santiago Canyon Collegeare both start Friday.
– DAMIAN CALHOUN
