The CIF Southern Section Boys Water Polo playoffs begin on Wednesday. It’s time to see who can rise during the pressure of the playoffs and rise above the rest.
Here is a look at the playoff seeding for schools within the LA Daily News coverage area.
Open Division
Oaks Christian
The Lions will be in Pool A of the open division bracket, meaning they’ll play three games against three opponents. Those opponents are Newport Harbor, JSerra and Laguna Beach. Oaks Christian is coming off a 16-7 overall season, but went 8-0 In the Marmonte League, winning the league championship.
Oaks Christian enters the playoffs with a 1-3 record in its last four games. The Lions got back on track just this past week against Westlake, winning 15-6.
Division 1
Harvard-Westlake vs. Foothill
The Mission League champions will face Foothill on Oct 31. The Wolverines’ playoff run ended in the first round last season against Corona del Mar in the open division. Now, Harvard-Westlake looks to make sure getting bounced in the first round isn’t an option. The Wolverines are riding a three-game winning streak heading into the postseason.
Division 2
Royal vs. ML King
The Highlanders are 7-3 in their last three games, and with the momentum they claimed the Coastal Canyon League title with an 18-8 record. Royal entered the playoffs off a 15-2 win over La Serna in its last regular-season game and hoped to take the momentum directly into the Division 2 playoffs.
Division 3
Notre Dame vs Brentwood
Head coach Giorgi Kartbelishivili and his Knights enter the Division 3 playoffs with a 14-11 record, finishing third in the Mission League. They’ll face the Brentwood Eagles, who are 15-7 on the year. Notre Dame looks to make a deep run after not appearing in the playoffs just a season ago.
Burbank vs Hoover
The Bulldogs are led by head coach David Arakelyan, and following a 12-13 record, they earned a spot in the Division 3 bracket. Burbank resides in the fourth quadrant with teams like Hoover, Upland and Cathedral.
Burbank’s first matchup in the bracket is against Hoover, whom they’ve played twice this season, going 1-1; most recently on Oct. 16, where the Bulldogs beat Hoover 11-10.