VISALIA -- Just seconds after scoring the goal that iced the game, Kevin Conway pumped the air with his fist, much like Tiger Woods does after sinking a huge putt. And why not? Conway and his teammates on Hanford West High School's boys water polo squad had plenty to celebrate, as a season full of struggles had the happiest of endings.

Hanford West, the No. 2 seed, scored five goals while goalkeeper Grayson Cardoza pitched a shutout in the opening period, then held top-seeded Redwood at bay the rest of the way, defeating the Rangers 12-8 in the Central Section Division IIl championship game at Golden West High School.

"We've been playing with a lot more confidence the last few weeks," said Conway. "Grayson Cardoza played probably his best game ever."

Conway's father, Huskies coach Rick Conway, concurred.

"This program was the laughingstock of the Section three years ago, and now we're Division III champions," he said, still dripping wet after being pushed into the pool again. "I couldn't be happier for the kids."

As they have throughout the playoffs, the Huskies struck early and often offensively, getting two goals from Grayson Ohnstad and Scott Aquino in building a 5-0 lead in the opening period.

Ohnstead put the Huskies on the board first with a shot from about 10 yards out with six minutes, 26 seconds to go in the stanza.

Hanford West widened the lead over its West Yosemite League rival with three goals in less than a minute.

Mike Hostetler started the scoring frenzy with a power-play goal at 2:47, followed by Aquino's first tally on a penalty shot at 2:21. Aquino added his second goal on the power play with 1:51 left.

The Huskies led 7-3 at halftime, thanks to a goal by Taylor Ketchum with 16 seconds remaining but Redwood cut the margin to two goals, 8-6 with 6:13 remaining in the game.

Hanford West then scored three unanswered goals to put the game away for good.

Mike Downing gave the Huskies some breathing room with a score at 5:35, followed by two Conway goals on breakaways, the last with 1:31 left.

Ohnstad and Aquino led Hanford West with three goals each. Daniel and Conway had two and Hostetler and Ketchum one.

Cardoza had 10 blocks in goal.

The sports editor can be reached at 583-2430.

(Nov. 16, 2008)