BOYS' WATER POLO NOTEBOOK: AGOURA SETTING SIGHTS ON OUTRIGHT LEAGUE TITLE.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

The Agoura High boys' water polo team clinched a share of the Marmonte League championship Friday by defeating perennial power Royal of Simi Valley.

The piece of the title is only the program's third in more than 20 years, but the Chargers weren't ready to celebrate too much. That's because they know a significant obstacle remains in the way of a coveted outright championship and the automatic higher postseason seed.

``We still have Newbury Park next Friday,'' Agoura goalie Erik Acevedo said.

Newbury Park hasn't even qualified for playoffs in recent years, but this season the Panthers have a group of experienced players who have grown together and are living up to preseason expectations of being the league's next big threat.

Newbury Park moved into a tie for second by defeating Royal on Wednesday, then took sole possession of second when the Highlanders lost to Agoura. The Panthers can claim a share of their first league title in at least two decades if they beat Agoura in Friday's season finale at Newbury Park.

``Before the season, I thought they were the team,'' Agoura coach Jason Rosenthal said. ``I really did. ... They've had kind of an up-and-down season, but they showed what they can do against Royal. We definitely can't take them lightly.''

Wednesday's 13-10 victory over Royal improved the Panthers to 16-8. It was the first time since 1980 that Newbury Park had beaten the Highlanders. Among the key contributors for the team that graduated just one player from last year's 13-12 team is junior Robbie Bauer, a third-year varsity player who scored four goals against Royal. Michael Adams also had four goals in that game and Justin Schwaiger continued his solid play in goal with 19 saves.

However, Agoura also is having one of its best seasons. The Chargers are 19-4, undefeated in league and ranked fourth in Division IV.

--Up and down: Deciding whether Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta should be encouraged or worried heading into this week's Pacific League tournament is difficult.

The Falcons (10-12) upset Arcadia 11-10 on Wednesday to move into a three-way tie for first with Arcadia and Glendale, keeping Crescenta Valley's hopes alive for an 11th consecutive league title. But on Friday, the Falcons lost 11-5 to La Serna of Whittier. They were held scoreless for a stretch of more than 12 minutes and allowed eight consecutive goals.

Crescenta Valley will face Arcadia again Tuesday in the league tournament.

--Beaten up: This has been a painful year for La Canada senior driver Eric Murphy. Not because of the way his team is playing - the Spartans are ranked second in Division III - but because of a series of injuries.

Murphy missed 11 games after a teammate accidentally kicked him during a Sept. 23 scrimmage and caused an orbital blowout fracture to his left eye. Murphy was first expected to miss the remainder of the season, but he returned Oct. 8 and scored three goals in his first game back, a victory over El Segundo.

Murphy also was injured during the summer when he tore a ligament in his right thumb.

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