SOUTHERN SECTION WATER POLO: LA CANADA FACES FAMILIAR FOE IN DIV. III TITLE MATCH.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer

The La Canada High boys' water polo team is right back where it started.

And that's just fine with the Spartans.

La Canada plays for the Southern Section Div. III title today against Montebello, the team the Spartans defeated 15-7 in the season opener.

The rematch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

The history between top-ranked La Canada and No.2 Montebello dates back before this year. The Spartans won both meetings last season, including a 14-11 victory in the division final.

``We're definitely familiar with them,'' said La Canada junior 2-meter defender Mike Scott. ``We know what to expect from them, and we know they know us. It's good to face them, it's kind of a rivalry.''

Another win over the Oilers would give La Canada its first back-to-back championships and its fifth in program history.

The Spartans (23-8) have put together another dominant run through the playoffs, with their closest game being a 10-4 win over Whittier in Friday's semifinals. La Canada, with a deep, veteran lineup led by reigning division MVP Devon Borisoff, has outscored postseason opponents 65-17.

``We're playing pretty well right now,'' Scott said. ``We're ready. We've been preparing for this all season.''

Montebello is coming off an 11-10 victory over Damien of La Verne.

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