Hasbrouck Proves His Value

LA CRESCENTA — His statistics are staggering, but mere numbers barely begin to break the surface of Brian Hasbrouck’s importance to the Crescenta Valley High water polo team.

His athleticism is astounding, inspiring awe in even the most casual water polo fans who see him play, but his value transcends even that.

As the top goalie in the Valley/Ventura County region the last two years, Hasbrouck is The Times’ regional water polo player of the year. It could be argued this year that the top four players in the region were goalies.

“I can’t think of another player who has had as much impact on a program,” said Pete Loporchio, Crescenta Valley coach. “If you’re looking for one player who got a team to a higher level, Brian has made as much of an impact as anyone in the Southern Section.”

Hasbrouck had 229 saves and a school-record 127 steals this season. It’s the second consecutive season that Hasbrouck, who plays with an aggressive attacking style, has led the team in steals from the goal. Last season he set a school record with 306 saves.

He finished his career with 701 saves, seventh all-time in Southern Section history. He played part-time as a sophomore, when he had 28 saves in a playoff game against Mira Costa. That is the fourth highest single-game save total in Southern Section history.

Three other goalies from the region had notable seasons: Brendan Connolly of Harvard-Westlake, Garrett Herzer of Royal and Russell Bernstein of La Canada. All four goalies led their teams to Southern Section Division semifinals--Bernstein helped the Spartans win a Division III title.

But unlike Hasbrouck, the others were surrounded by a wealth of talent: Harvard-Westlake had four All-Southern Section selections. Royal had five. La Canada had seven. Other than Hasbrouck, a three-time All-Southern Section selection, Crescenta Valley had two.

Things looked grim for the Falcons at the beginning of the season. They had not fared well in summer competition.

“At the beginning of the season we were pretty pathetic,” Hasbrouck said. “I was pretty pessimistic about what to expect.”

With the Crescenta Valley talent level seemingly low, Hasbrouck found himself the target of opposing teams who were looking to end the Falcons’ five-year hold on the Pacific League title.

“I was proven, so other teams knew who I was,” Hasbrouck said. “I heard people saying, ‘I’m going to get that goalie. We’re going to score 10 times on him.’ ”

Hasbrouck led the Falcons to a 21-4 record, their sixth consecutive league title and into the Division III semifinals. Highlighting the season was a victory over 1995 and 1996 Division III titlist Bell Gardens.

“He did so much to make us competitive against some pretty talented teams,” Loporchio said. “If we don’t have Brian, what we would have accomplished this year isn’t even close to what we did.”

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First Team

Brendan Connolly

Harvard-Westlake

Senior

Selected Mission League’s most valuable goalie, Connolly averaged 11 saves a game and also scored three length-of-the-pool goals. He was selected second team All-Southern Section Devision I.

Mitch Dexter

Agoura

Senior

Speedy swimmer led the Chargers into the Southern Section Division IV quarterfinals with team highs in goals (91), steals (64) and assists (58). Was an All-Southern Section Division IV selection and named All-Ventura County.

Loran Leidenger

Burroughs

Senior

All-Southern Section Division III selection follows in the Burroughs tradition of big players who score a lot. This lefty led team with 101 goals and 78 assists and was MVP pf the Almont League, a league that includes talented Bell Gardens.

Peter Hudnut

Harvard-Westlake

Senior

Big (6 feet 6) and quick, Hudnut was nearly unstoppable at the two-meter position. An All-Southern Section Division I selection, he was one of two high school players on the senior men’s national team last summer.

Brendan Naeve

La Canada

Senior

The Southern Section Division III player of the year and All-Rio Hondo League selection led the Spartans to Division III title and first Rio Hondo League championship in 10 years. A two-time Times’ All-Region player, Naeve scored 88 goals.

David Radka

Royal

Senior

Acrobatic, athletic and quick, Radka is an All-Southern Section Division IV pick and also made the All-Ventura County team. Scored 105 goals and led Royal to 17th consecutive Marmonte League title and into division semifinals.

Russell Bernstein

La Canada, Senior

Shined in the playoffs with 52 saves in four games. All-Division III selection had 197 saves for division champion.

Chad Caldwell

Ventura, Junior

All-Ventura County and Division IV selection had team-high 96 goals and 28 assists and led surprising team into division quarterfinals.

Joel Everman

Notre Dame, Senior

Speedster led team with 91 goals and 72 assists and was named MVP of the Thousand Oaks tournament. Was selected third-team All-Division I.

Garrett Herzer

Royal, Senior

All-Division IV and All-Ventura County selection had 270 saves and ranked third on team with 49 assists.

Jason Perry

Royal, Senior

All-Ventura County selection had 80 goals and 51 assists as Highlanders reached fourth consecutive division semifinal.

Phil Spataru

Harvard-Westlake, Senior

Mission League MVP was Wolverine’s leading scorer. Quick with a rifle arm, he was named second team All-Division I for division semifinalists.

Kevin Witt

Glendale, Junior

Scored a region-high 113 goals and led team with 90 assists and 80 steals. Selected All-Division III.