Brotherly bonds in boys’ water polo

The boys’ water polo team is like a family in more ways than one. Their 12-1 league record is a testament to not only powerful and effective teamwork but also the team’s brotherly bonds. Team members junior Kevin and sophomore Tim Rollinson are brothers both in and out of the pool, while team captains seniors Arian Mahini and Nick Mortazavi have played together so long they could be considered brothers.

“[Arian and I] know each other’s moves, and we can predict where we’re going to be in the water,” Mortazavi said. “That’s why we can give a lot of assists to each other.”

In a game against Harker on Oct. 23, for example, Mahini and Mortazavi paired up to create a scoring machine; they managed to execute plays requiring extreme precision with ease, earning multiple points for their team and leading the team to a 15-9 victory.

“[Mahini] and I have these ‘Persian connection plays’,” Mortazavi joked.

The two captains’ partnership has brought their teamwork to a new level in the pool.

“[Mortazavi] and I have been playing [together] for such a long time,” Mahini added, “that when I play with him I get a different feeling than when I play with other players.”

Similarly, the Rollinsons believe they also have an edge since they know each other better than anyone else.

“Tim and I, we’ve got some ‘BCP’s: Bro-Connection Plays,” Kevin joked, referring to Mahini and Mortazavi’s Persian connection plays.

The brothers team up during games and assist one another to score goals: in their cross-pass play, one brother passes across the pool where the other one shoots, throwing off the goalie and successfully scoring a goal. Playing water polo together isn’t just good for the team. It has also allowed the brothers to connect more and spend more time with each other.

“We hang out during team dinners and I drive him to morning practices,” he said, “so we’ve definitely bonded.”

This year, the team members are extremely close and display extraordinary teamwork in the pool.

“Some of the team members have been playing together for a couple years,” Rollinson said. “It’s really brought us closer.”

With the team’s fraternal bonds providing the players with camaraderie, teamwork and a couple of ‘BCP’s, the Falcons are set and ready to glide through the rest of their already successful season. They are one of the most viable contenders to win league finals and are hoping to make CCS possibly the next week.

Their final league game of the season was a heated battle against the Wilcox Chargers, but the Falcons prevailed 8-7 in overtime, with Mortazavi scoring the game-winning goal in the final two seconds. With this victory the Falcons claimed first place in the El Camino league, a fitting end to their tremendous season.

The Falcons faced the Cupertino High Prospectors on Oct. 28 in a sloppy and confusing game. Normally, a player is allowed three ejections, or fouls, before they are suspended from the game; however, referees claimed that Saratoga senior John Chen had four ejections, which is over the limit. As a result, the game was turned back in time and a goal was deducted from the Falcons’ total score. However, the Falcons managed to overcome this obstacle and defeat the Prospectors 9-7.

“We played [pretty well],” said Mortazavi. “I think we played some good defense, so that helped a lot.”

If the first-place Falcons win the El Camino league tournament, which takes place this week, they should make the CCS tournament.