JOSH SAMUELS

Villa Park, 2008-09 boys water polo player of the year

JAY LOVERO

Foothill, Sr., GK

Selected Sea View League and Division I co-player of the year with Griffin White, Lovero was at his best in the biggest matches. He had a career-high 23 saves in the league championship match and 14 in the Division I final to lead the Knights to a pair of titles. Lovero finished with a school-record 373 saves.

PAUL PICKELL

Foothill, Sr., Attacker

A first-team Division I selection, Pickell led the Knights in goals with 98. But he made his lasting impression for the Division I champions on defense. Pickell was second on the team with 69 steals and sacrificed his scoring to mark the explosive Griffin White on the counterattack.

PAUL REYNOLDS

Foothill, So., attacker

The first-team All-Sea View League pick scored 86 goals, had a school-record 68 assists and led the Division I champions with 79 steals. In overtime of the league championship match, Reynolds scored the go-ahead goal and assisted the eventual winning-goal in a victory against El Toro.

CRUZ SMITHSON

Servite, Sr., center

Selected Trinity League co-MVP with Alex Wherry, Smithson's presence at center helped the unseeded Friars reach the Division II final. The powerful 2-meter man led Servite with 103 goals. The first-team Division II selection also drew extra attention from defenses, opening scoring chances for teammates.

ALEX WHERRY

Mater Dei, Jr., attacker

Wherry's strong two-way play helped lead the Monarchs to their first Southern Section title. Selected Trinity League and Division II co-player of the year, Wherry led Mater Dei in goals with 97 goals and was second in steals with 80. His tight perimeter defense and shooting skills helped make the Monarchs' counterattack one of the county's best.

GRIFFIN WHITE

El Toro, Sr., attacker

White shared Sea View League and Division I player of year honors with Jay Lovero. A prolific scorer, White netted 138 goals to finish with a school-record 379 career goals. He scored four against Santa Barbara in the Masters final to lead El Toro to the title. White also led his team in steals (98) and ejections drawn (72).

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com