BOYS' WATER POLO DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA TEAM AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON.

Byline: Compiled by Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Player of the Year

JAY CONNOLLY, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

On a team that usually outscored Mission League opponents by double digits, the goalkeeper was overshadowed. Against tougher competition outside the league, Connolly often stole the spotlight, blocking shot after shot with apparent ease uncommon at the high-school level.

One of Connolly's biggest games was Harvard-Westlake of Studio City's midseason showdown against top-ranked Wilson of Long Beach, which won the Div. I title. Connolly made 24 saves in a 10-9 overtime victory.

Connolly garnered MVP honors at the season-opening Jim Toring Tournament. He made 13 saves in a 3-1 victory over Los Alamitos in the tournament final after shutting down Div. III's then-No. 1 team, Montebello, in the semifinals.

A fourth-year varsity player for the Wolverines, Connolly was voted Mission League Co-MVP and repeated as an All-Southern Section Div. I selection.

Connolly, ranked among the nation's best for his age when he entered Harvard-Westlake, elevated his play under Harvard-Westlake coach Rich Corso, the U.S. Olympic team's goalkeeper coach. Connolly's tremendous leaping ability, long arm span, knowledge of how to play angles, and effectiveness in igniting his offense through counterattacks has earned Connolly multiple All-America honors.

He is part of a talented Wolverines senior class that advanced to the division semifinals, or further, each of its four years.

FIRST TEAM

DEVON BORISOFF, La Canada, So.

The stingy defender was routinely matched with the opposition's top player. With more than 40 goals, the All-Southern Section player also was a steady contributor on offense.

TYLER DIAMOND, Royal, Sr.

The leading scorer the top-ranked team in Div. IV, which went undefeated in Marmonte League action and won the program's first league title since 2000. He was named Marmonte Co-MVP and first team All-Southern Section.

BRIAN FLACKS, Harvard-Westlake, Jr.

A steady contributor since his freshmen season, Flacks again was a well- rounded threat for the Div. I semifinalists. He was among the team leaders in assists and repeated as an All-Southern Section selection.

NICK LASZLO, Royal, Sr.

The team captain overcame an early-season bout of mononucleosis to become a consistent contributor and valuable leader for the Marmonte League champs. He earned Marmonte Co-MVP and first team All-Southern Section Div. IV honors.

DANNY POLYAKOV, Agoura, Jr.

The Chargers' most experienced player led the team in goals (65) and assists (67) to go with 42 steals. He was selected Buena tournament MVP, first-team All-Marmonte League and first team All-Southern Section Div. IV.

JUSTIN RAPPEL, Harvard-Westlake, Jr.

The left-hander had a knack for coming through with clutch goals, but he also ranked among the team leaders in assists. He was a second-team All-Southern Section Div. I choice.

JORDAN THOMPSON, La Canada, Jr.

The third-year varsity player was the leading scorer with nearly 80 goals for a team that spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in Div. III. Thompson repeated as an All-Southern Section selection.

ERIC VREELAND, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Vreeland filled the void when the Wolverines' top returning scorer was sidelined most of the season, making a smooth transition from defense to became a productive scorer - accounting for 21 goals over one two-game stretch. The repeat all-area selection was chosen Mission League co-MVP and first team All-Southern Section Div. I.

Coach of the Year

DUSTY LITVAK, Agoura

The second-year coach, with only one player returning from a team that failed to qualify for the playoffs, built the Chargers into a contender that was ranked as high as No. 3 in Div. IV this season.

Agoura was considered a talented group, but with only three seniors and a freshman goalkeeper, most observers expected success to be a year away. Agoura went 22-6 overall and finished second in the Marmonte League, losing only to Royal of Simi Valley, which finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the division. The Chargers also won two tournaments (Buena and San Luis Obispo) for the first time in a season.

Newcomer of the Year

RYAN PARIS, Fr., Agoura

Paris' youthful appearance was all that seemed ``freshman'' about the goalkeeper. A year playing with older players at the club level paved a smooth transition into high school, where the Chargers liked Paris enough to turn their returning goalkeeper into a field player. Paris made 339 saves and 72 steals for the Div. IV quarterfinalists and was selected to the All-Southern Section Div. IV third team.

CAPTION(S):

12 photos, 5 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) JAY CONNOLLY

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) TYLER DIAMOND

(3 -- color) NICK LASZLO

(4 -- color) DEVON BORISOFF

(5 -- color) JORDAN THOMPSON

(6 -- color) DANNY POLYAKOV

(7 -- color) JUSTIN RAPPEL

(8 -- color) ERIC VREELAND

(9 -- color) BRIAN FLACKS

(10 -- color) DUSTY LITVAK

(11 -- color) RYAN PARIS

(12 -- color) no caption (Will Hindle-Katel)

Box:

(1) Honorable Mention

(2) Best not in the Pool

(3) Games of the Year

(4) Top 10

(5) Champs