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Ranking the Top 20 players to watch in boys water polo this season in Orange County:
TOP 20 PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Connor Ohl, Newport Harbor, Sr.
The Stanford commit rides a massive wave of momentum into the fall. He clocked a Sunset League record in the 50-yard freestyle (19.79 seconds) in swimming and played for the U.S. national men’s water polo team at the World Championships in the summer.
2. Kai Kaneko, Newport Harbor, Sr.
Kaneko, who is also committed to Stanford, proved last season that he is a versatile attacker. The first-team All-County selection helps run the Sailors’ offense, plays lockdown defense and draw exclusions in transition. Kaneko, the co-player of the year in the CIF-SS Open Division last season, made his senior national team debut over the summer.
3. Jonas Ransford, JSerra, Sr., GK
The Harvard commit earned second-team All-County honors last season and could be the county’s top goalie this fall.
4. Evan Wu, Santa Margarita, Sr.
A second-team All-County selection last season, Wu returns as one one of the top perimeter shooters in the county. He earned co-MVP in the Trinity League last season.
5. Geoff Slutzky, Newport Harbor, Sr.
The Harvard commit isn’t as high-profile as Ohl and Kaneko but he excels at establishing deep position at center. He made second-team All-County last season.
6. Kyle Franks, Brea Olinda, Sr.
Franks doesn’t attend a school ranked in the O.C. Top 10 but has the well-rounded skills to hang with the best players in the county. He earned second-team All-County in ’24.
7. Mason Netzer, Newport Harbor, Sr.
The Cal committed left-hander is a “glue” player who connects the Sailors’ offense with his passing. The third-team All-County attacker also can put away his shots.
8. Connor Colman, JSerra, Sr.
Colman has the shooting ability and experience to be the Lions’ next top attacker. He closed the 2024 campaign as one of the county’s hottest players. Colman netted six goals against Newport Harbor in the SoCal regional final.
9. William Weir, Corona del Mar, Jr.
Sea Kings coach Lucas Reynolds says Weir’s multifaceted skill set “impacts the game in every aspect.” That’s high praise.
10. Nathan Simoncelli, Corona del Mar, Sr.
The USC commit can be a force at center and forms a dangerous duo with Cooper Harlan, who also is a center.
11. Logan McCann, Santa Margarita, Jr.
A strong 2-meter man, McCann earned first-team All-Trinity League last season. Watch for his development under coach Ivan Buich, who helped mold former San Juan Hills and USC standout center Max Miller.
12. Sebastian Mok, Los Alamitos, Sr.
A third-team All-County selection in ’24, Mok is a utility player who helps drive the Griffins. He netted seven goals in an upset against San Juan Hills on Tuesday.
13. John Bergstedt, Foothill, Sr.
The Navy commit earned fourth-team All-County honors last season.
14. Julian Amakasu, Crean Lutheran, Sr.
Another fourth-team All-County selection from ’24, Amakasu is a gifted shooter and a big reason why the Saints hope to challenge Foothill in the Crestview League.
15. Luke Weichert, Sage Hill, Sr.
The UC Irvine committed attacker made first-team all-Pacific Coast League last season.
16. Charles Montano, San Juan Hills, Sr.
The attacker proved himself by scoring four goals against Yucaipa in the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals last season.
17. Isaac Squires, Huntington Beach, Sr.
Squires, a second-team all-Sunset League selection last season, is off to a strong start as a facilitator and in-game leader, Oilers coach Nick Graffis said.
18. Koosha Mirrafati, Corona del Mar, Jr.
The Sea Kings are high Mirrafati and fellow attacker Grant Christian, a senior who recently committed UC Santa Barbara.
19. Palmer MacBeth, San Clemente, Sr.
The high-scoring attacker teams with senior Quinn Burke to help lead the Tritons.
20T. Morgan Crichton, Mater Dei, Jr., GK
Crichton is an up-and-coming goalie to watch. The Monarchs also feature Aidan Welch in the cage.
20T. Gavin Goode, Laguna Beach, Sr.
The Breakers’ captain is another attacker who facilitates the offense and plays solid defense.
20T. Dylan Park, JSerra, So.
Park signaled his arrival by scoring eight goals in an 18-16 overtime win against La Jolla on Thursday. He is part of JSerra’s talented sophomore class.