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LOS ALAMITOS — Huntington Beach water polo center Ethan Spoon compared facing Los Alamitos’ zone defense Wednesday night to another game known for its strategy.

“It’s like chess almost,” the senior explained. “We’re just trying to pick on the defense, always moving, trying to break the zone, looking for whoever is open because if they’re on me, there’s always going to be something open.”

Spoon, a UC Irvine commit with a quick release, again attracted his share of attention from the host Griffins, who were playing to keep their playoff chances alive.

Huntington Beach made enough shrewd moves, and fired in a late perimeter strike, to edge Los Alamitos 10-9 in the Surf League.

The Oilers (17-8, 3-2), ranked fifth in Orange County and tied for eighth in the CIF-SS Division 1 poll, took a 10-9 lead with 36 seconds left on an outside shot by sophomore utility Isaac Squires. They then defended a late power-play chance to sweep their league series with the No. 10 Griffins (7-14, 0-5).

Spoon paced Huntington Beach with three goals despite a strong drop defense from Los Alamitos. The Oilers countered with weak-side drives, cross passes and sending a second player into center.

Huntington Beach was especially effective in responding to goals by the Griffins, netting five strikes on the ensuing possession or after-goal plays.

Seniors Mikey Trujillo and Logan Garwick each scored twice while senior Christian Hammonds added a goal and two assists.

“I think we broke it down pretty well,” Spoon said of Los Alamitos’ zone. “We’ve been studying them, breaking down film, and it paid off.”

Huntington Beach, in second place in the Surf League behind champion Newport Harbor, appears on the bubble on whether it will be in the Open Division or Division 1 for the playoffs. The Oilers still have big matches left, including Oaks Christian on Saturday.

“We want to play at the highest level we can because that’s what we train for,” Spoon said. “We deserve it, I think. We put in the hard work.”

Los Alamitos trailed 9-7 with less than three minutes left in regulation but tied the score on perimeter strikes by Cole Francisco and Logan Colman with 2:45 and 1:13 remaining.

Francisco, another UC Irvine commit, finished with five goals while UC Davis commit Thomas Marr added three.

The Griffins had chances to force overtime and played solid defense but finished 2 for 8 on the power play.

“I was so proud of them,” said Los Alamitos coach Dave Carlson, who replaced Scott Penttila shortly before the season. “We improved every week throughout the year.”

“They’re playing really good ball right now,” Carlson added. “Unfortunately, look at our schedule (in terms of strong teams).”

Penttila stepped down because of heath reasons and to spend more time with his family.

In the Trinity League on Wednesday, Mater Dei defeated Orange Lutheran 13-9 to dim the Lancers’ playoff chances. The Lancers, the reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion and ranked ninth in the county, fell to 7-14 overall.

Teams need to be at least .500 to apply for an at-large berth to the playoffs.

Orange Lutheran and Los Alamitos are both headed to the Memorial Cup in San Jose this weekend.

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