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Foothill’s boys water polo team isn’t seeded highly for this week’s South Coast Tournament. And it doesn’t play in Division 1.

But the Knights showed last week that they’re a squad to watch in the 32-team tournament, annually one of the best early-season events.

Division 2 contender Foothill (3-1) split last week with Division 1 contenders Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar – both seeded higher at the South Coast Tournament – and were close to posting a sweep.

The Knights handled Corona del Mar, 9-6, on Friday and fell earlier in the week against Newport Harbor, 12-11. Foothill led the Sailors, 10-7, with 5:33 left in the fourth.

“We’re looking forward to (the tournament),” said Foothill senior Josh Mehlberger, whose team is seeded third in its group.

Foothill’s strength appears to be experience and balance. The Knights feature an all-senior starting lineup and multiple offensive threats.

Foothill is especially deep at center with senior Christopher Brose and junior Gavin Scott, who has a team-high 11 goals in four games.

Foothill’s depth also helped it move past the transfer of senior goalie Massimo Navarretta to Newport Harbor. Senior Matt Miller has emerged as a strong goalie for the Knights. He made 15 saves against Newport Harbor.

“It’s fortunate that our backup goalie is a senior,” Mehlberger said of the 6-foot-2 Miller. “He’s always been there working with Massimo and he was ready to step up.”

Foothill, Santa Margarita, Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar are the sites for the South Coast Tournament. The top four seeds are: Mater Dei, Agoura, Dana Hills and Long Beach Wilson.

The championship match is Saturday at Newport Harbor at 4:05 p.m. …

– DAN ALBANO

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

The Orange Lutheran and Newport Harbor girls volleyball teams will present a Night to Benefit Emma Griffith at Tuesday night’s nonleague match.

Griffith, a sophomore outside hitter at Estancia and for the Saddleback Valley Volleyball Club, is battling a rare form of bone cancer.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly to the Griffith Family.

The frosh/soph match will start at 4 p.m., followed by junior varsity at 5 p.m. and varsity at 6 p.m. The matches will be played at Orange Lutheran.

– DAMIAN CALHOUN

CROSS COUNTRY

A key early-season battle in the Sunset League is Wednesday when the league holds its preview meet at Central Park in Huntington Beach.

The boys and girls races will each feature three teams ranked in the Orange County top 10.

The boys race will feature No. 4 Fountain Valley, No. 8 Edison and No. 10 Marina.

The girls race will feature No. 5 Marina, No. 9 Edison and No. 10 Los Alamitos.

The first race is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.

– JASON EICHELBERGER

GIRLS GOLF

Troy finished fifth in the team portion of the Rainbow Sandals Lady Triton Invitational on Friday at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.

The top-ranked Warriors posted a 417, which put them 42 strokes behind first-place Torrey Pines.

Foothill sophomore Madie Chou finished third among the individuals, shooting a 1-under 72, which put her three shots behind first-place Bethany Wu from Diamond Bar.

– DAMIAN DOTTORE

GIRLS SWIMMING

Santa Margarita senior Jax Shoults committed to UCLA, Eagles co-coach Ron Blanc announced.

Shoults holds Santa Margarita’s school record in the 100-yard backstroke and is a two-time Trinity League champion in the event.

She finished 12th (57.90 seconds) in the backstroke last season at the CIF-SS Division 1 finals, second (55.89) as a sophomore and sixth (56.56) as a freshman.

– DAN ALBANO