Bay Area News Group water polo Top 10
(Mercury News & East Bay Times)
BOYS
No. 1 SACRED HEART PREP
Last year’s defending NorCal Division I champion is poised to repeat in 2024. The Gators finished with a 24-7 record in 2023, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the West Catholic Athletic League.
No. 2 MIRAMONTE
Miramonte was a finalist in NorCal Division I last season and should be a contender for the title this year. The Matadors are off to a 1-0 start with an 8-2 win over San Ramon Valley. They next travel to face Campolindo on Sept. 18.
No. 3 DE LA SALLE
The Spartans lost to Sacred Heart Prep by one goal in the NorCal Division I semifinals and should be very strong again this season. De La Salle defeated California 28-11 in its first game of the year and travels to face Monte Vista today at 5 p.m.
No. 4 BELLARMINE
The Bells entered the NorCal Division I bracket as the No. 2 seed last year and were upset by Miramonte in a one-goal game. Bellarmine recently defeated San Marcos 9-6 and will face Miramonte on Sept. 20.
No. 5 LOS GATOS
The Wildcats were defeated by De La Salle in the NorCal Division I quarterfinals but should be back as a contender in 2024. They most recently defeated Leland 25-10.
No. 6 CAMPOLINDO
Campo is one of several East Bay schools with a legitimate title shot after winning the NorCal Division II crown in 2023. The Cougars are off to a strong start with big wins over Berkeley (24-10) and Santa Cruz (12-7).
No. 7 ST. FRANCIS
The Lancers are set to compete in the always tough WCAL. They picked up an early-season 13-9 win over San Marcos and should contend for the title in league play.
No. 8 SAN RAMON VALLEY
Last season’s NorCal Division II semifinalist should be an excellent team once again. The Wolves are coming off wins over Buchanan (12-8) and St. Ignatius (12-10).
No. 9 ARCHBISHOP MITTY
The Monarchs were the top seed in the Division III NorCal bracket last year and picked up a narrow 9-8 win over Las Lomas on Aug. 29.
No. 10 AMADOR VALLEY
Amador Valley is off to a 5-0 start with wins over Castro Valley (14-9), Mission San Jose (13-6), Newark Memorial (14-6), James Logan (12-6) and Livermore (20-5).
GIRLS
No. 1 MIRAMONTE
Who else but the defending NorCal Division I champs? Miramonte doubled up Campolindo 10-5 in the title game last season and could be the favorite again this year.
No. 2 CAMPOLINDO
Campolindo is off to a 3-1 start with wins over Menlo (16-7), San Ramon Valley (9-8) and Miramonte (8-4).
No. 3 SACRED HEART PREP
The Gators fell to Campo 10-9 in the NorCal Division I semifinals and should contend for the regional crown again this year. They are 4-0 so far this year with wins over Amador Valley, Acalanes, Miramonte and Carondelet.
No. 4 ACALANES
Acalanes was another Division I regional semifinalist and is 3-1 to start the season. The Dons lost to Sacred Heart Prep but have posted dominant victories over Amador Valley, Davis and San Ramon Valley. All three wins have come by at least seven goals.
No. 5 CARONDELET
Carondelet is another team with championship aspirations. The Cougars lost 6-5 to SHP in the Division I quarterfinals last year. Their only loss so far this year is a 12-8 defeat at Prep. They are 4-1 overall.
Related Articles
High school girls volleyball rankings, Sept. 10, 2024: Bay Area News Group Top 15
High school football rankings Week 3, 2024: Bay Area News Group Top 25
Vote now: Bay Area News Group boys athlete of the week
Vote now: Bay Area News Group girls athlete of the week
Vote now: Which Week 3 high school football game should we cover?
No. 6 LELAND
The perennial South Bay power won the NorCal Division II title last season with a 16-10 decision over Clovis North. The Chargers are 3-1 with wins over Sanger, Clovis East and Clovis West and a loss to Arroyo Grande.
No. 7 ST. FRANCIS
The Lancers were a Division II regional semifinalist last season and picked up an early-season 16-7 win over Willow Glen.
No. 8 ARCHBISHOP MITTY
Mitty was a NorCal Division III semifinalist in 2023 and should be one of the better teams in the WCAL this season.
No. 9 WASHINGTON-FREMONT
The Huskies have snagged wins over Castro Valley, Liberty, Clayton Valley Charter and Rio Americano early on this season.
No. 10 BERKELEY
The Yellowjackets are off to a 5-0 start this year with wins over College Park, Clayton Valley Charter, Mission San Jose, Alhambra and Newark Memorial.
Editor’s note: Teams eligible for the Bay Area News Group rankings come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school staff chooses the teams.
