Paloma Valley wins, Heritage loses in water polo playoffs

Jacob Canales prepares to take a shot for the Paloma Valley water polo team, which won its playoff opener Wednesday. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre

The Paloma Valley High School boys water polo team improved its season record to 16-6 Wednesday with a 5-3 victory over Jurupa Valley in the first round of the CIF Division 7 playoffs.

The game was played at the Drop Zone Aquatics Center, which is the home base for the Wildcats. It was part of a doubleheader which also featured Heritage playing a Division 7 playoff opener against Baldwin Park. The Patriots lost that game, 9-7.

Paloma Valley’s impressive season, which included an 8-0 record in winning the league title, will continue on Saturday. The Wildcats will play at Cathedral in the second round.

This is only the fifth season of water polo at Paloma Valley and is a dramatic turnaround from last year’s team, which finished with a 6-12 record. The team has won 10 consecutive games since a 5-4 loss to West Valley Sept. 25.

Heritage, which was 4-3 in league play this year, finished the season with a 12-11 record. The Patriots lost 11-14 to Paloma Valley in their regular-season finale.

This season’s record was also a dramatic improvement for Heritage, which was 3-12 last year.

Randy Schuman defends the goal for the Heritage High School water polo team. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre