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2011 All-County boys water polo team
Check out OCVarsity.com's and The Register's selections for the 2011 All-County boys water polo teams, including the picks for O.C. Player of the Year and O.C. Coach of the Year.
2011 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
BJ Churnside, Villa Park, Sr.
The utility player racked up 155 goals, 97 assists and 116 steals to lead the Spartans to the Century League title and CIF Division 2 semifinals. Churnside finished with a school-record 424 career goals, breaking Josh Samuels' record of 407. The Century League player of the year also set the school's single-season record for assists in 2011.
Garrett Danner, El Toro, Sr., GK
Danner, the only goalie selected first-team All-CIF Division 1, collected 306 saves for the Division 1 runner-up. The ultra-quick senior was outstanding in an 8-5 loss to undefeated Mater Dei in the finals. He made 12 saves as El Toro's sagging defense held the Monarchs to a season-low output. For his career, Danner finished with a school-record 991 saves.
Joey Fuentes, El Toro, Sr.
The crafty, left-handed attacker netted 124 goals to help El Toro finish as the CIF Division 1 runner-up. Known for his clutch play, he scored the winning goal against Newport Harbor in the semifinals. Fuentes was selected first-team All-CIF Division 1 and co-player of the year in the South Coast League with Garrett Danner.
Nolan McConnell, Laguna Beach, Sr.
The hard-throwing lefty scored 109 goals to power the Breakers to a second straight CIF Division 3 title. He scored six goals in a 14-8 victory against Damien in the finals and earned his second consecutive Division 3 player of the year award. McConnell also led the Breakers in assists (76) and steals (55). He finished his career with 430 goals.
Farrell South, Newport Harbor, Sr.
The sharp-shooting attacker scored a team-high 85 goals to help the Sailors capture the Sunset League title and reach the Division 1 semifinals. In a semifinal loss against El Toro, he heated up late by scoring two impressive perimeter goals. South earned the Sunset League Player of the Year award and also made first-team All-CIF Division 1.
Jon Walters, Mater Dei, Jr.
The powerful center scored 101 goals to finish as the second-leading scorer for the CIF Division 1 champion. Walters impressed in the playoffs by scoring 18 goals, including six in the semifinals against Loyola. The first-team All-CIF Division 1 pick had 33 assists and 57 steals. He also drew a key exclusion late in the Division 1 final.
2011 COACH OF THE YEAR
Boyd Philpot, Tustin
In his final season, the veteran coach guided the Tillers (24-6) to a share of the Empire League title and to the CIF-SS Division 6 semifinals. Tustin upset defending Division 6 champion Rio Mesa, 13-10, in the quarterfinals to make the semifinals for the first time since 1994. Tustin found success despite not having its home pool, which continued to be refurbished during the season. The Tillers practiced nights at Foothill. Philpot, who started coaching at Tustin in 1979, believed the evening practices were a blessing in disguise because his team focused well. Tustin also captured the Weiss and Estancia tournaments. Philpot is retiring from coaching boys water polo but will remain at the school as a swim coach.
2011 ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
McQuin Baron, Mater Dei, So., GK
Joey Colton, El Toro, Jr.
Anthony Daboub, Mater Dei, Sr.
Noah Harrison, Huntington Beach, Sr.
Riley Thomas, Laguna Beach, Jr.
James Walters, Mater Dei, So.
Ben Zepfel, Corona del Mar, Sr.
