Hanford boys, girls defeat Mt. Whitney

Hanford High School's water polo teams took a pair of giant steps forward Tuesday against Mt. Whitney.

The boys team defeated the Pioneers 15-9, leaving the Bullpups one win away from an undefeated West Yosemite League season and possible No. 1 seed in the Central Section playoffs.

Hanford's girls, meanwhile, had their biggest win of the year, a 18-15 overtime decision over Mt. Whithey.

Hanford's boys are now 11-0 in WYL action heading into Thursday's season finale against Lemoore in the 'Pups pool. Playoff seedings will be announced Friday on the Section's Web site.

It looked like it would be business as usual for Hanford's boys, which scored the frist four goals of the game and led 5-1 after one quarter, but the Pioneers went on a 3-1 tear to close within two, with 2:33 left before the break.

Hanford retaliated by scoring the last four goals of the period, two by Brad Wright, to take a 10-4 lead at the break.

"This time of year, it comes down to a lot of kids realizing this is their last time playing high school water polo, so they bring it up to a level they haven't played at all year. This is why there are upsets," said Hanford coach Vince Roeber.

Mt. Whitney made a second run at the 'Pups to start the second half, scoring two goals to make it 10-6, but Hanford built the lead back to 13-6 by the end of the third quarter, allowing Roeber to empty the bench.

Josh Ornellas, Mike Conway and Trey Johnson led Hanford with three goals each. Christian Sook and Wright had two each.

Ryan Dias had 11 saves in goal.

Hanford's girls, meanwhile, got into a shootout with the Pioneers.

The Bullpups led 6-5 at halftime, but needed a goal by Samantha Haney with 23 seconds left to tie it at 8 heading into the final stanza.

Hanford took a two-goal lead with 3:24 to go on another goal by Haney, a left-hander, but Mt. Whitney forced overtime on a Kelsey Palaver goal with 41 seconds left.

The Bullpups took command early in overtime, scoring three goals in the first three-minute period, including a shot from three-quarters court - roughly 20 yards - by Chloe More at the buzzer.

"This was immeasurably huge for us," said coach Christina Watson. "The girls worked very hard for four quarters, and I think we worked harder in overtime than we did in the fourth quarter."

Morse and Haney led Hanford with five goals each. Courtney Martienz added four and Cassidy Emmett and Ashlee Cano had two each.

Nicole Healy ended the night with 12 saves, including five in overtime.

Hanford improved to 4-7 in WYL play with the win.

Hanford won the junior varsity boys game 6-5.

(Nov. 4, 2009)