Boys’ water polo: Falcons lose steam in second CCS game

On Nov. 16, the Falcons were pitted against the No. 2-seeded team in CCS, Menlo High School. Except this game was different in that they did not have their captain and star player, senior Stephen Cho.

Cho was diagnosed with a concussion and was unable to play, which stagnated the Falcon offense in a tough 7-5 loss. The team’s total record for the season was 23-3

“We actually played pretty well,” senior driver Patrick Wang said. “But without [Cho], we didn’t have enough ball movement and we lost a huge scoring threat.”

During practice on Nov. 13, Cho was elbowed in the head. Since recovering from a concussion takes time, he couldn’t be cleared to play before the game on Nov. 16.

Despite the loss, the season was highly successful for the Falcons, and they not only made it to CCS, they made it past the first round.

In their first CCS game at Homestead High on Nov. 12, the Falcons took home a 21-7 victory against the Palma Chieftains.

However, this win would not have been possible had the Falcons not won their league championship game on Nov. 9 against Homestead which clinched them a place in CCS.

Cho has been a consistent performer all season, and he showed his value in their CCS game. He scored nine goals and was a anchor for the team. The team as a whole performed well this game by moving the ball around and giving great effort.

“What I enjoyed about our play [on Nov. 12] was that we were able to represent Saratoga's full potential,” driver Rohan Jhalani said.

The seniors showed inspired play on their Nov. 9 game, as they were motivated to play for the home crowd one last time.

“It was amazing to win at home on [Nov. 9]. We were all pumped up and ready to play water polo, knowing it would be our last game at home, and we wouldn’t get many more opportunities like this,” senior driver Cameron Borch said. “It was an amazing feeling to win this year, after losing the last two years in the finals.”

This season has been a great success for the team and is something the Falcons have not experienced in many years.

“Water polo hasn't won championships or gone to CCS for many years, and it’s great to represent Toga water polo,” Wang said.

This season, the Falcons have grown close, and the coaching, as well as the team chemistry, have been a factor for the team’s success.

“Not only has coaching been a major factor, but I think the team camaraderie has really helped,” Cho said. “Playing with guys that respect you and look after you inside and outside of the pool really builds a strong connection between players and leads to great performances.”

Senior goalie Clayton Brown agrees that the friendships he has made from water polo are things he will cherish even after the season ends.

“I've been on varsity since sophomore year, and a season like this is what we all hope for, but making such good friends has been the best part,” Brown said.

The team this year has been lead by stellar play from the seniors, but sophomore utility Mason Lee is glad to have been a part of the experience.

“It's been pretty awesome being on this team this year because the level of play and teamwork we [had] is way higher than other years, in my opinion,” Lee said.

Looking back on the season, senior hole-defender Gray Robertson is proud of the team’s success and mental strength.

“I'm most proud of the fact that we did so well this year and never gave up even against teams we thought we might lose to,” Robertson said. “We never sat down, and we always went into the game looking to win.”

As the season comes to a close, Cho has had time to reflect on his high school career and the memories he has had.

“Looking back on this season and my high school career as a whole, there are countless things that I extremely enjoyed. But the one thing that I cherish the most is my team,” Cho said. “It's funny because we all come from different groups and grades and all have other interests, yet we are all united by a single factor: water polo. The time I spent with these guys is something I will never forget.”