BOYS' WATER POLO: LA CANADA READY FOR A REPEAT DIV. III CHAMPS AIM FOR ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer

Devon Borisoff was used to La Canada High's boys' water polo teams fueled by a hunger to avenge shortcomings from previous seasons. The senior likes what fuels this year's Spartans much better.

After winning its first Southern Section title in six years last season, La Canada is hungry to experience the championship feeling again. The defending Div.III champions are attempting to claim the first back-to-back Southern Section titles in team history, and could be the area's best hope for a title in any division this season.

``I think we always knew we could do it,'' said Borisoff, a first team All-American and reigning Rio Hondo League and Div. III Player of the Year, who spent the summer on the U.S. youth national team. ``We just had some bad games in the semifinals. We definitely know we can do it now, there's no doubt. Last year was great, and we want to do it again.

``We can top that by winning CIF again this year. I think we definitely have the team to do that. I think we have the talent to maybe go the whole season without losing. We lost three All-Americans, but we'll be fine.''

The Spartans return All-Southern Section players in Borisoff, junior hole/set players Max Scott and Mike Scott, junior left-hander driver Nathaniel Vail and senior goalie John Rowe. Vail provided four goals in last year's title game.

``This group has more game experience,'' La Canada coach Larry Naeve said. ``More than 60 percent of the goals scored in the final were scored by guys who are back this year. ... That experience did help. Being there, most of those kids know they can do it now.

``They bring it up a lot. Obviously, that's the goal, to win CIF again.''

The Spartans aren't the only locals with championship potential.

Youth National Team members Brian Pingree and Jeff Schwimer lead a Harvard-Westlake of Studio City team that is among the best in Div. I.

The Div. IV race is filled with local contenders.

After winning the program's first Frontier League title last season, Oaks Christian of Westlake Village looks for a deep postseason run. Standing in the Lions' way are several threats from the Marmonte League, not to mention division newcomer Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach, which is used to contending for Div. III championships.

Traditional Marmonte powers Royal of Simi Valley and Agoura could have their most talented teams in years, but veteran lineups from Thousand Oaks and Moorpark will make for a deep race.

``It's a tossup between Royal and Agoura, and if we're on our best game, I think we'll give 'em a run,'' said Thousand Oaks coach Mike Giles, who has a solid senior class led by Ryan Vick, Daniel Smith and Elliot Weiddman, as well as All-American junior Matt Irwin.

Vick and Smith are returning All-Southern Section selections, as are Royal seniors Tyler McClure and Blake Hubbell and Agoura senior Alex Thompson. The Marmonte's biggest difference maker, though, could be Agoura junior Peter Kurzeka, who was not eligible to play on varsity last season after transferring from Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, but spent the summer collecting MVP honors at such events as the 16-under Junior Olympics.

``At times I have to curb my enthusiasm,'' Royal coach Steve Snyder said. ``These guys have shown me a lot. But I have to be guardedly optimistic. We're untested as a unit, and there is just so much talent in this league. I don't think you can say there is a favorite.''

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With the return of over half of their scoring offense, La Canada is favored to repeat as the Southern Section Division III champion.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

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