Boys water polo / state quarterfinals

Boys water polo / Elite Eight

Tournament timetable

Thursday’s quarterfinals: Fremd (26-6) vs. Sandburg (27-6), 4:30 p.m.; Naperville North (30-3) vs. Lyons (31-2), 5:45 p.m.; Latin (21-6-1) vs. Loyola (27-6), 7 p.m.; Stevenson (24-8) vs. Lockport (21-7), 8:15 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule: Semifinals at 9 and 10:15 a.m.; third place at 3:30 p.m. and championship at 6:30 p.m.

Big picture

Notice anything missing from this year’s Elite Eight? Yes, Fenwick, eight-time defending champ, didn’t make it here this year. Lyons knocked out the Friars in an 8-7 decison in the York sectional final. It’s not so much a sign that the Fenwick program is suffering without longtime coach Dave Perry, who passed away not long after the program’s most recent championship, but rather that the rest of the state is catching up in terms of ability. And expect to see Lyons back here next year. All three of the Lions’ top players — Joe Shannon (116 goals), Josh Hirt (72 goals, 52 assists) and Peter Dore (67 goals, 51 assists) — are juniors. Lyons handled its quarterfinal foe, Naperville North, 15-5 and 11-6, in regular-season meetings. Naperville North’s Eric Curia has pounded opponents (160 goals) and the Huskies have an elite playmaker in Gianmarco Duin (95 assists). Loyola fell to Fenwick by 1 goal in the MCAC title game and then edged New Trier by 1 goal to win the Glenbrook South sectional; the Ramblers have an uncommonly balanced team and make opponents pay for even slight matchup problems. Latin features a roster with only one senior, but don’t be deceived by those 6 losses. All but one of them were close games to teams that were sectional finalists. Stevenson bounced back from a 5-25 finish last year to regain a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time in two years behind scorers Alex Shkiler (95 goals), Mitchell Sokolsky (62) and Kyle Plotsky (64). Lockport, making its first Elite Eight appearance, gets the bulk of its offense from David Hir (120 goals) and Dan Oldendorf (84).

Local focus

Fremd breaks new ground with its first boys water polo Elite Eight appearance. The Vikings got there through adhering to the principles set forth by coach Brian Newby, the most important of which is to defend, defend, defend. Fremd’s quarterfinal foe is Sandburg, coached by polo veteran Jim Caliendo. “We have to play our game, which is a defensive one,” said Newby. “Play tough defense and make them work in every aspect of the game, from sending the ball down to making passes and finally shooting. We need to contest everything they do — give them nothing easy.” Fortunately, Fremd has a roster loaded with players who excel at this. Senior Andre Degla might be one the most well-rounded players in the state — a fierce open-water defender, solid near the goal and a wicked left-handed shot along with a knack for the lob shot. He leads the team in both scoring (83) and assists (44). Seniors Ryan Helsdingen and Dan Knudsen both fit that well-rounded mold, too — players that will defend and find a way to score. Junior JP French (68 goals, 16 assists) is effective both as a scorer and playmaker and helps the offense function efficiently, and senior Max Plichta (223 saves) anchors it all in goal. Sandburg’s big gun is senior driver Matt Veldman (127 goals). If Fremd is able to beat the Eagles, a rough semifinal awaits as Lyons will likely be there. But Fremd is more concerned with simply making the most of its first voyage to the state finals. “I am so proud of the boys for working so hard to get to this point, but I told them all it takes is one more win and they will have their names on a trophy and a state plaque on the wall,” Newby said. “They have nothing to lose and a trophy to gain. I have stressed these last two weeks use your head and play with your heart — and let’s have fun.”

— Aaron Gabriel