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CIF-SS BOYS WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Previews of Saturday’s CIF-SS finals at Mt. SAC.

All games to be streamed live on NFHS Network.

OPEN DIVISION

JSERRA (26-3) VS. NEWPORT HARBOR (30-0), 5:10 p.m.

Outlook: The Orange County rivals collide for the Open Division title for the third consecutive fall. JSerra, the Trinity League champion, won the championship last season en route to an undefeated campaign. Newport Harbor, the Sunset League champion, took the title in 2022. Top-seeded Newport Harbor is 2-0 against JSerra this season with victories of 14-6 and 16-7. The Sailors have displayed impressive depth and the ability to go on game-altering runs. They’re seeking a 15th section title, which would add to their record for the Open/Division 1 level. The No. 2 Lions have showed staying power by reaching the final after graduating Olympic bronze medalist Ryder Dodd (UCLA) from a strong Class of 2024. Both teams have junior centers to watch. Newport Harbor’s Geoff Slutzky has been a breakout performer while JSerra’s Tyler Anderson has continued to emerge.

DIVISION 2

BREA OLINDA (19-7) VS. CAPISTRANO VALLEY (18-12), 1:10 p.m.

Outlook: The winner of this O.C. clash will claim its first section title. The Wildcats, the third-place team the Crestview League, are 0-2 in section finals with losses in 1994 and 1997 in Division 6. Brea Olinda features some under-the-radar talent, including goalie Derek Maddox and center Gavin Templeton. Capistrano Valley, the fifth place team in the challenging five-team South Coast League, is 0-4 in section finals. The Cougars are in their first section final since 2018. They’re led by senior center Matt Bauer and junior utility Kenzy Hadjaz.

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