HIGH SCHOOL WATER POLO HERSHMAN RETURNS TO THE HELM AT CALABASAS EXPERIENCE COYOTES' BIGGEST STRENGTH THIS YEAR.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Now the coach can be added to the list of returnees.

David Hershman is back as head coach of the Calabasas High boys' water polo team after three years away from the job. He officially was named to the position this week.

The Coyotes had the luxury of several returning players, but when former head coach Adam Gruner decided just days before practice started that he wouldn't return, the team's outlook turned questionable.

Hershman spent the past few years coaching the junior varsity team, so he is familiar with many of the players. He has been coaching the team since Gruner stepped down but admits he would have liked more time to work with the team during the summer.

However, the players have spent more time together than recent Calabasas teams, leaving the Coyotes confident in their ability to at least duplicate last season's second-place finish.

``Experience is our biggest strength,'' Hershman said.

Seniors Michael Dodson and Gene Broussard and juniors Marshall Cole and Jordan Flacco are all returning starters.

Last year's goalkeeper Michael De Pue is also back but moves to the field to make room for senior David Pasternak, who transferred from out of state.

Hershman had been the varsity head coach for nearly 20 years but decided he could use a break when the girls' water polo program was started with him as head coach. He also coaches the swim team.

--Final Frontier: Ever since Malibu joined the Frontier League in the early 1990s, the Sharks have held a monopoly on league titles. With Calabasas moving to the Marmonte League next year, this is the Coyotes' last chance to try to top Malibu for the Frontier championship.

''We'd like to go out with a bang,'' Hershman said. ''We're definitely looking to make playoffs.

''I think it'll be between us and Malibu.''

Since the league split for the formation of the Pacific View League, there have been only four teams, meaning just the top two qualify for the postseason. What will happen next year is uncertain.

--Just like last year? Having only two returning varsity players is not a concern for Thousand Oaks.

The Lancers knew their large group of juniors - led by Brian Barbachino, Brian Hartson, Eric Merkel and Thomas Smith - had talent when they won last season's Marmonte JV title and their performance in Tuesday's scrimmage against Rio Mesa confirmed they can be just as good at the varsity level. Thousand Oaks beat the Spartans by 20 points.

In addition to the 11 juniors who join senior returning starter Jean-Luc Renault, sophomore hole set Travis Crouse is up from the JV team that went 21-1 last year.

''They're a real team,'' coach Peter Daland said. ''There's no single superstar. They know how to win together. They're solid and they play well together.''

--The newcomers: Camarillo added girls' water polo last year and now the Scorpions become the newest member of the Pacific View League to compete in boys' water polo. Jerry Bowles, who has coaching experience at UCLA and Channel Islands, guides Camarillo as it tries to challenge defending league champion Rio Mesa.

--Tournament time: The Thousand Oaks Kickoff Classic runs through Saturday at Newbury Park High. Most of the Marmonte League as well as other local teams such as Calabasas and Malibu are participating in the event that began Thursday and draws teams from as far away as Central California. The championship game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday.

Next week, several local teams head to Calabasas for the annual Zach Hahn tournament beginning Thursday.

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(color) Justin McClure is one of the projected leaders for Marmonte League-power Royal, which is favored to win another league championship this season.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer