Freeway League can claim bragging rights

The Freeway League gets to claim bragging rights this week as the toughest in the county for boys soccer with four of its six teams — La Habra, Troy, Fullerton and Sunny Hills — ranked in the O.C. top 10.

“This is one of the best leagues that there is,” Fullerton coach George Shumaker said.

His Indians, by the way, made it to the Marina Tournament championship. They twice held one-goal leads on Mater Dei before losing, 3-2.

“Just look at how we have come out of it (the league) and what La Habra has done the past couple of years, and Troy is no slouch,” Shumaker continued. “And Sunny Hills always has a good program. The Freeway League can play with anybody.”

A few coaches at the North Orange County Tournament, a tournament which Sunny Hills won, said La Habra is one of the best teams they have seen in some time. Troy beat the Highlanders last month.

The Warriors (9-0), one of two undefeated teams in the top 10, get a second shot at the Highlanders next Monday at La Habra.

Winning this league won't be easy, but it's pretty simple to figure out what it will take to win it, Shumaker said.

“Whoever makes the least mistakes is the one that is going to take it,” he said. - Damian Dottore

GIRLS WATER POLO: LOS ALAMITOS GOING STRONG

Los Alamitos' fifth-ranked girls water polo team is off to a strong start despite losing two key players for the season.

The Griffins (10-1) entered the season without senior April Lembi, who has opted to train for triathlons. They also have been without standout sophomore Dari Watkins, who suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Los Alamitos posted two impressive victories last week. The Griffins won at San Diego power Coronado, 8-6, and beat then-No. 9 El Toro, 19-5.

"I'm really proud of them," Los Alamitos coach Dave Carlson said of his squad. "They're playing really good ball and they're playing really well as a team.”And you can see that they are having fun. The chemistry on this team is really good."

Los Alamitos opens Sunset League play Wednesday night against Marina at 6 at Newport Harbor. Carlson said Watkins is focusing on swimming and hopes to return to the water polo team next season. - Dan Albano

WRESTLING: ANAHEIM PLACES THIRD

Anaheim's wrestling team finished third at the 16-team Granite Hills Invitational on Saturday.

The Colonists recorded 176 points and had nine medal winners, including individual champions Daniel Lepe (112) and Kevin Navarro. - Damian Calhoun

GIRLS SOCCER: SUNNY HILLS ON SUCCESFULL RUN

The Sunny Hills girls soccer team has made success one of its enduring traits.

Since joining the Freeway League in 1991, the Lancers have finished first or tied for first 13 times, while posting an overall record of 141-22-17.

“We have a phrase in our program that tradition never graduates,” Lancers coach Jeff Gordon said. “Every single year, we try to put in the work necessary to accomplish our goals. We're fortunate how things have worked out for us.”

The Lancers play their league opener Thursday against Troy.

In his 19th season at Sunny Hills, Gordon has amassed a record 315-86-46. He has guided the Lancers to 17 CIF playoff appearances and CIF titles in 2005 and 2007. - Jason Eichelberger

Contact the writer: ddottore@ocregister.com