Wednesday’s boys water polo schedule could be a finale for some leagues but for others, the competition could extend into league playoffs to settle CIF berths. Here’s a look at what could be an entertaining day in a few leagues:
TRINITY (Div. 1)
Top-ranked Mater Dei (4-0 in league) plays host to No. 6 Orange Lutheran (3-1) at 5 p.m. looking to clinch the outright league title.
If the seven-time defending league champion Monarchs win, and No. 8 Servite and No. 7 Santa Margarita also triumph Wednesday against JSerra and St. Bosco, respectively, there would be a three-way tie between Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita and Servite for second place. If that happens, expect a league playoff to settle second and third.
But since there will be no at-large berths this season in boys water polo, Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita and Servite could be left out of the playoffs because only the top-three teams from the Trinity League earn automatic berths. Mater Dei also already claim the one of the CIF spots.
SUNSET (Div. 1)
Newport Harbor and Edison enter the final round tied for third in the Division 1 league with 2-2 records. The Sailors, a former county-ranked team, play host to an improved Fountain Valley at 5 p.m. while Edison takes on No. 9 Los Alamitos (3-1 in league) at 7:10 p.m.
If Edison pulls the upset, watch out because the Chargers would move to 3-2 in league and would be tied with Los Alamitos and potentially Newport Harbor (if the Sailors win) for second place in the league behind Huntington Beach (4-0).
If there’s a three-way tie for second, look for a two-game league playoff at Newport Harbor on Thursday afternoon. Of course, if Fountain Valley (1-3) upsets Newport Harbor, the scenarios could be wild as well because they could be tied Newport and potentially Edison for third.
