Without a pool, Lightning strike

There is no pool on the campus of Sage Hill School.

For their “home” games, the Lightning must travel from Newport Coast to Corona del Mar High. The games there are often at night, when the rest of the pool’s daily schedule has died down.

But it’s hardly an inconvenience for the Lightning boys’ water polo team. Last year, the pool location didn’t matter much for the successful Sage Hill program.

Last season the Lightning went 18-4, finishing second in the inaugural year of the Orange Coast League to advance to the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs. Once there, they played tough on the road in the first round before succumbing to Mission Viejo, 15-11.

And there could be even better things in store this year, since Perry Pang is the only graduate from a season ago and every player on varsity is returning.

“I’m excited with all of the returners we have,” said second-year coach Tom Norton, a former CdM and UC Irvine water polo player. “We have five out of six returning starters. We’re looking to have a very successful year in league.”

The Lightning also have their three top goal-scorers back from a year ago in seniors Beau Caillouette and Jimmy Miller and junior Tucker Pettis, who were all first-team All-Orange Coast League a year ago.

Caillouette, who led Sage with 73 goals, can play different spots but the returning team captain should be a force at two meters. Pettis can also play that position, while Miller will act as a sort of utility player for Sage.

“He can do everything,” Norton said of Miller.

Also returning is senior Ryan Barth, who will be one of the Lightning two-meter defenders but is also picking up his offensive game, Norton said.

“He’s starting to figure out how the offense flows,” Norton said. “He should be seeing some scoring opportunities.”

Sophomore Andrew Dorne is another returning starter. A strong club swimmer, Dorne should stay strong as the games go along.

“He’s really improved and starting to understand the game of water polo,” Norton said. “That’ll definitely help out on the defensive end, and his shots are really starting to improve.”

Goalie Danny Harold, another senior who was first-team All-Orange Coast League, also returns. A team leader by nature, Norton said Harold has come up with different exercises and drills for the Lightning to do in practice.

“He tells me, ‘This one’s patent pending,’” Norton said with a laugh. “He just has an awesome work ethic. He’s tenacious when he gets in goal. As a coach, I’ve learned a lot just from watching him.”

In addition, the Lightning have seniors like Carl Hillgren, Stephen Marshall and Alex Neff who haven’t played the sport for long but are learning every day.

Also looking to contribute are juniors Michael Ljungh and Nick Wan, and sophomores Jake Blitzer and Stephen Krieger.

All of the players would love to make a run at their first-ever league title, but all of the other teams likely won’t be pushovers.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at [email protected].