Water polo notes: Newport-Los Al clash Wednesday

Newport Harbor and Los Alamitos almost met Saturday in the finals of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions. The Sailors reached the championship match while the Griffins played for third place. But on Wednesday night at Newport Harbor, the water polo rivals will collide, and with much more at stake.

The second-ranked Sailors (11-4) and No. 3 Griffins (15-3) will clash in a Sunset League match at 6:05 p.m. that could determine the first place and the top playoff entry from arguably the strongest league in Division 1.

Both teams edged former county No. 1 Foothill on Saturday. Newport Harbor beat the Knights, 10-9, in the semifinals while Los Alamitos defeated Foothill, 12-11, in the third place match.

Newport Harbor holds a 5-4 advantage against Los Alamitos the past five seasons.

UNSUNG HEROES FOR CdM

They aren’t the biggest-name players for Corona del Mar but Victoria Pierotti and Genevieve Weed both played key roles on defense in the Sea Kings’ 10-8 victory against Newport Harbor in the finals at Santa Barbara.

Pierotti prevented a goal in the second period by racing to grab a ball that had gotten past Corona del Mar goalie Alex Musselman. The senior also scored a perimeter goal in the second period.

ANOTHER LEAGUE SHOWDOWN

First-place will also be on the line Tuesday in the Division 4 Freeway League when Sunny Hills (17-4, 3-0) plays host to Troy (10-6, 3-0) at 3:15 p.m.

RECORD WATCH

Sunny Hills' Amanda Solis - one of the top uncommitted seniors in the county -- needs two goals to break Alex Hoetker's school record for career goals. Solis has 325 goals, one shy of Hoetker's 326.

TOURNAMENT TRACKER

The Bishop's of La Jolla defeated Long Beach Poly in the finals of the El Dorado-hosted TYR tournament over the weekend.