Righetti, AG water polo prepare for CIF semifinals

Posted: Nov 13, 2012 4:35 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Nov 13, 2012 10:41 PM

AG, Righetti water polo play CIF semifinal games Wednesday

Two Pac 7 League boys water polo teams play in the CIF semifinals on Wednesday in Irvine. If both Arroyo Grande and Righetti win, the two rivals would battle for a Division 4 title on Saturday.

Pac 7 champion Righetti, the #1 seed in Division 4, plays #4 seeded Cerritos. Righetti won its first two playoff games by a combined score of 34-10 and is making its second-straight semifinal appearance.

The Warriors are 25-6 and are coming off a 15-7 quarterfinal win over La Habra.. Devon Tomooka led the way with 4 goals, while Jeremy Grden and Keanu Martinez added 2 apiece.

The Warriors lost to 24-6 Cerritos earlier this year in the title game at a tournament 15-14 in overtime.

Pac 7 runner-up Arroyo Grande faces #2 seeded Los Osos. The Eagles overcame a 5-3 fourth quarter deficit to stun #3 Troy 6-5 in the semifinals. The Eagles scored the game-winner and took their first lead of the game on a goal from Nick Chapman with 1:30 to play in the game.

Arroyo Grande won its first round game at Redlands East Valley 10-5 behind 5 goals from Jack Empey.

Head coach Steven Allen's Eagles are in their first semifinal since going back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008. "The team's goal this year is to make the semis and get this group as much experience as we can knowing we are still pretty young. But I think all of a sudden we've changed gears to it could be our year this year.. I think we went from let's just see what happens to wow, we've got a shot here," said Allen.

"I'm really excited. It's been years since we've gone to the semifinals in CIF. I don't know. I feel like I'm leaving an impact and it just makes my heart warm," added senior goalie Chandler Mankins.

Arroyo Grande plays 23-8 Los Osos at 2pm Wednesday in the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine. The Righetti semifinal follows at 3:30 pm. The winners play for the Division 4 title on Saturday at 1:30 pm at the Woollett Aquatic Center.