Boys’ waterpolo advances in CIF Playoffs

Samo varsity boys’ water polo ended their regular league season with a win on Wednesday, Oct. 23 against Malibu High School. They are now moving forward into Division lll CIF playoffs. Since their opening home game on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, against Milken High School, the team has grown considerably with their defensive strategy and communication in the water. Captain Jackson Colby (’25) reflected on the growth of the team as they get ready for CIF.

“We’ve really grown as a team overall. At the beginning of the season we were playing as individuals, but now we’re playing together as a team,” Colby said.

Kassandra McCreary / Contributor

Mirai Sato (’25) fights to gain possession of the ball in a game against Ventura High.

Boys’ water polo will go into CIF with a record of 16-14 in overall play, and 2-4 in league play. They have had many memorable wins including one against Venice High School that ended with a final score of 24-1. There were also losses that the Vikings’ were able to improve and learn from, such as their third home game against Ventura which concluded with a final score of 12-16. Varsity player Joseph Bowers-Disney (’27) elaborated on something the team is trying to improve.

“Our energy is always really high in the first and second quarter. And then in the third and fourth it starts to drop off, which we’re trying to work on,” Bowers-Disney said.

The Vikings’ first game of the CIF playoffs was against Beaumont High School on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Samo hosted the game in the Drake Pool and took a 23-10 win, advancing them to the next round of CIF. Samo boys’ varsity water polo has their next game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 against Flintridge Prep, which will be hosted by the Vikings.