The Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, CA) varsity water polo team is set to play a home playoff game against JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, CA) today at 1 PM. This match is part of the 2024 CIF SoCal Boys Water Polo Championships – Division I tournament.

JSerra Catholic vs Newport Harbor Water Polo Game Info:

What: California High School Water Polo
Who: JSerra Catholic vs Newport Harbor
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1 PM
Watch here:Watch here

Game preview: JSerra Catholic vs Newport Harbor

As the high school boys’ water polo season progresses, all eyes are on the intense matchups between some of California’s best teams. A notable rivalry has emerged between JSerra Catholic and Newport Harbor, two powerhouse programs with outstanding records.

Season Records and Rankings

Newport Harbor has been dominating the season with a perfect 33-0 record, including an impeccable 1.000 win percentage across both their league and non-league games. Ranked #1 in their section and nationally, Newport Harbor’s high-scoring offense and defensive prowess make them one of the most formidable teams in the state. Their games have been a showcase of balanced scoring, with impressive wins over top-ranked teams like Oaks Christian, De La Salle, and Loyola. They have averaged a remarkable 15.2 goals per game, outscoring opponents by a large margin.

On the other hand, JSerra Catholic (28-4) has had an impressive season, finishing undefeated in their league with a 5-0 record. Their overall performance has been strong, though they have faced more challenges against top-tier teams like Newport Harbor. Their scoring average is 13.4 goals per game, but their defensive strategy has occasionally faltered against high-powered offenses. Despite a solid season, JSerra has struggled in head-to-head matchups with Newport Harbor, losing each of their three encounters this season.

Head-to-Head Matchups

The rivalry between these two teams reached a new level in their recent contests:

• September 14, 2024: Newport Harbor dominated JSerra Catholic 14-6 in a neutral tournament game, setting the tone for their season-long dominance.
• October 19, 2024: In another neutral non-conference matchup, Newport Harbor won decisively 16-7, proving their offensive superiority.
• November 16, 2024: The most recent encounter in a neutral playoff setting saw Newport Harbor edge out JSerra Catholic with a narrow 11-10 victory, showcasing their resilience and ability to win close games.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents throughout the season, and their records against common teams further highlight the difference in overall performance.

• Against Oaks Christian, JSerra Catholic has gone 17-1, while Newport Harbor boasts a perfect 12-0 record against them.
• In games against Loyola, JSerra Catholic is 5-0, but Newport Harbor also holds a perfect record with 4 wins against Loyola.
• When facing Harvard-Westlake, JSerra Catholic lost a tough one (13-12), whereas Newport Harbor won all their matchups, including a dominant 20-5 victory.

Strengths and Weaknesses

JSerra Catholic’s strength lies in their ability to play a balanced game, with strong performances against many of their league opponents. However, they have struggled against the firepower of teams like Newport Harbor, particularly when it comes to managing the high-scoring offenses in close, high-pressure games.

Newport Harbor, on the other hand, has been exceptional in both offense and defense. With an offense averaging over 15 goals per game and a defense that has only allowed an average of 5.7 goals per game, Newport Harbor remains the team to beat. Their depth, speed, and experience have carried them through the toughest matches of the season.

What’s Next?

The rivalry between these two teams will continue to develop, and with Newport Harbor having won the three matchups so far, JSerra Catholic will be looking for redemption. Their playoff showdown on November 16, 2024 promises to be another thrilling encounter, and fans can expect another highly competitive and action-packed game.

Both teams will continue to push towards their goals, with Newport Harbor aiming for a perfect season and JSerra Catholic looking to regain momentum and challenge for the title. Regardless of the outcome, these matchups have been some of the most exciting games of the season, and this rivalry is sure to grow in significance in the years to come.