Int. Polo: Champs Again
Intermediate Polo Boys Win Championship
Coach Randy Bart's Perspective:
"Excuse me, pass the defribillator please. . . mahalo"
Whew! It was heart-attack city at Iolani's cement pond Wednesday night as Iolani and Kamehameha battled for the intermediate water polo championship.
Iolani rolled to a 4 - 1 lead in the first half due to solid shooting from the arms of Ian White, Zalman Bernstein, and Stephen Jordan. The offensive output was backed up with stonewall defensive play from Garrett Griffith in goal and Tim Leong, Scot Marison, and Quinn Cowan on perimeter defense. Kamehameha kept coming and coming, but Iolani had an answer for every effort.
The second half was a different story and this is when the fun began. Kamehameha still had trouble scoring, but Iolani's offensive also had an untimely demise. Shots that hit corners in the first half were now way off the mark. Kamehameha kept chipping away and chipping away and slowly but surely the Iolani armor started getting dinged up. Kale Ai shot Kamehameha back into the game from every angle in the pool, tallying 3 of their 4 goals. Kamehameha figured out that going through or around Garrett wasn't working too successfully, so they decided to shoot over him. Enough shots dropped to tie the game at 4 in regulation. I had about 5 heart-attacks in the last quarter and now we had to play an overtime period.
Stephen Jordan banged home his third goal of the game in the first overtime period on a five meter shot giving Iolani a one goal advantage. The second and last overtime period was a hard-fought affair by both squads, each never giving an inch. There were defensive strips, blocks, half-court heaves, and lobs that seemed to drop from the moon. But in the end, Iolani had the ball with a few seconds remaining and Ian White sealed the deal with his second goal of the game. With just ticks left, Iolani had a two goal lead that not even coach Randy could find a way to mess up.
This is the intermediates' third championship in a row. Something rare for Iolani water polo. The boys have worked and played hard and with no exception have represented Iolani well in and out of the pool.
Mahalo to the moms and dads and other family members that have been supporting them throughout the season. Also, mahalo to our managers, Akari, Kelia, Erica, Bianca, and Kelcie. They have been the boys' biggest cheerleaders as well.
aloha,
randy
Intermediate Water Polo 18-7 Over Le Jardin
October 14, 2008
by Al Linsky
The first time I saw this team play against Le Jardin, it was pretty much a blowout with a final score of 15-7.
This time it was 18-7 and it was in the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championships.
The goals came fast. I may have gotten a few of these scores wrong, but I think it's pretty close.
Stephen Jordan had five goals after scoring the first three of the game. Zalman Bernstein had four (three in a row at one point), Timmy Leong had three, Thomas Schowalter had two, and Michael Chen, Trey Takara, Ian White and Quinn Cowan all had one goal.
This was a big win and gives this team the right to play the winner of Punahou and Kamehameha for the championship.
To see more photos, please visit iolani-events.org.
