After going 1-3 in the Steve Pal Tournament at El Modena on Friday and Saturday, the Claremont boys water polo team won their fourth consecutive Sierra League match over Chino Hills on Tuesday, pending the outcome of yesterday’s match against Charter Oak.

Claremont started off hot in the first quarter against he Huskies, jumping out to a 5-0 lead. The Wolfpack outscored Chino Hills in each of the next two periods, taking a 12-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Claremont would hold on to beat the Huskies, 13-7, and steadily holds the top spot in the Sierra League.

The Wolfpack’s fifth league victory came after an intense match with second-place Damien that resulted in an 8-7 win. The Oct. 30 showdown with the visiting Spartans proved to be one of Claremont’s toughest battles of the season, as each team continued to sway momentum in their favor throughout the game.

Claremont held a 4-2 lead after one quarter, but Damien would put two in the net in the second to pull things even at four all. Both squads would net two more goals in the third, bringing things even once again at 6-6, but Claremont would outscore Damien 2-1 in the fourth to take a dramatic 8-7 victory.

Head coach Kristin McKown said it was a back-and-forth match, and the team really pulled together to overcome mistakes late in the game.

“Our goalie Steven Cagle was amazing and blocked a penalty shot by their best player to start off the game,” coach McKown said.  “Between our freshman Bruno Snow scoring two goals and junior Steven Cagle making some fantastic saves in the first quarter, we had a momentum that was hard to stop.”

In non-league action at the Steve Pal Tournament on Friday and Saturday, the Wolfpack faced tough opponents from Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach, La Jolla, Vista Murrieta and Santiago. Claremont won its opening match against Santa Barbara, 6-3, but lost its next four 9-6, 12-8, 9-8 and 17-8.

“This weekend’s tournament was a great test for us,” coach McKown said.

Claremont will begin playoff action next week.

Football offense stays hot, but defense is not in 70-49 loss

Claremont senior quarterback Craig Myers accounted for 436 total yards and six touchdowns, but it could not lift the Wolfpack (1-8, 0-4) to their second victory of the season. They fell 70-49 to Chino Hills on Friday in a wild high scoring affair.

Myers’ stellar day was overshadowed by Huskies running back Brysen Charbonier, whose 184 yards on the ground and six touchdowns led Chino Hills to its third league win of the season.

Senior running back Cecil Flemming rushed for 62 yards, his lowest rushing output this year, and was held without a rushing touchdown for only the second time this season, but made his presence felt in the passing game with 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The Huskies offense totaled 644 yards opposite the Wolfpack’s 543. Claremont had both its best and worst nights on offense and defense this season, scoring a season-high 49 points, but giving up a season-worst 70. 

The Wolfpack will take on Charter Oak tonight in the season finale.

Girls volleyball slips by Ayala for win

Pending the result of Wednesday’s regular season finale against Ayala, the Claremont High School girls volleyball team sits at 13-11 and 5-5 in the Sierra League after their 3-0 sweep of Charter Oak on Tuesday. Sets one and two were decided by a total of seven points, with Claremont winning 25-21 and 25-22, respectively. The Wolfpack won set three by nine points, and with the win move into a tie with for third place with Ayala.

Cross Country: Off

—Bryan Stauffer

sports@claremont-courier.com