The Bainbridge boys varsity water polo team is going to state.
The Spartans claimed the third seed from Region 1 at Regionals last week, having faced off against Kentridge, Wilson and Enumclaw.
In their opening match against Kentridge, the team cruised through to a 7-5 win.
The very next day the Spartans battled Wilson.
“What a great rematch,” said Spartan Head Coach Jacob Millican. “They went up 5-2 in the first quarter, and at the start of the fourth quarter we were up 6-5.”
After an entire match of slight give-and-take on the scoreboard, BHS was bested in the final seconds 8-7.
They didn’t stay down for long, however, and the Spartans dove right back into their next match against Enumclaw where they earned a 6-4 victory and punched their ticket to state.
Finally, in a battle for placement, BHS faced off again against Kentridge.
Again the Spartans came out on top, winning 9-7 and earning the third seed from Region 1.
The team’s advancement was a truly inspirational achievement, Millican explained, and one that was far from guaranteed at the start of the season. The Spartans lost some crucial senior talent and worked with a relatively inexperienced bench.
“Cade Taylor, senior, goalie [and] captain, racked up 51 saves in four games,” he said. “He was absolutely phenomenal in the cage. Junior Mathias Van Patten really came alive, setting a solid 2M position for us and clenching our berth to state with that sixth goal against Enumclaw in the last minute of the fourth quarter.”
“Senior Riker Haddon also stepped up in postseason play with five goals and as many steals, but more importantly shutting down the key offensive threats on the other teams,” Millican added.
Everyone on the team deserved a share of the credit, the coach said.
“All 13 players that attended Regionals received a good amount of playing time, which also testifies to the depth of ability on our bench this season,” he said. “Despite their youth and relative inexperience, this team has overcome a lot of their weaknesses through strong team play.”
The team will begin play at state on Thursday against Mercer Island at Curtis High School. The match starts at 3:30 p.m.
