The first could be the girls’ water polo team, which will try to capture its first CIF Southern Section Division I title next month. The Sea Kings, who just won the Holiday Cup and improved to 10-0, have five CIF section titles, but none in Division I, which they entered two years ago.
The majority of high school sports stories could be slated for the fall, when the CdM girls’ cross country team will try to win its sixth straight CIF state title, which would be a state record.
In football, Coach Jason Hitchens will try to form the Sea Kings into a consistent powerhouse. They reached the CIF Southern Section Southern Division semifinals this past fall. The year before they didn’t even make the playoffs.
Here are more stories to watch for in 2009:
No CIF association rule: Will athletes and teams truly benefit from the club sport factor? This is the first high school year that allows club coaches to train with athletes year round. The results of the benefits won’t really be known until the end of the year.
Newport Harbor football: Can the Sailors continue the uphill climb in the Sunset League and Pac-5 Division? The Newport Harbor returners figure to be plenty motivated after missing the playoffs because they weren’t picked from a random draw when they were involved in a four-way tie for the Sunset League title.
Matt Barkley: Will the Newport Beach resident continue his rise at USC? The quarterback out of Mater Dei will be challenged to move up the depth chart and start as a freshman, especially if Matt Sanchez returns.
