A big game in the North Yosemite League boys water polo race looms this week as three-time defending champion Sunnyside hosts Memorial.
The Panthers topped the Wildcats 6-5 at Memorial during the first round of NYL play. For Sunnyside (6-1 in league) to have any shot at a fourth-straight NYL championship and sixth title since 2002, it has to win the rematch against Memorial (7-0), which is set for 5:15 p.m. Wednesday.
The NYL crowns its champion through a system that awards one point for every league win and a point for every team a school finishes ahead of at the end-of-season tournament, scheduled for Nov. 3-5 at Sunnyside.
Memorial could all but wrap that up with a win Wednesday.
That Sunnyside has a shot at another title is surprising considering it lost eight seniors off last year's team. Wildcat coach Rick Eoff is giving extensive minutes to six sophomores this season.
"They know how fast Memorial is and how much depth they have," Eoff said of Sunnyside's previous meeting against Memorial. "But [the close loss] gave them confidence they can play with and beat Memorial. We're looking forward to Wednesday's game and to putting ourselves in position for an exciting league championship tournament."
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