2005 All-Newport-Mesa boys’ water polo dream team

dreamteam-waterpoloNewport Harbor’s Clay Jorth knew how to score, but his all-around ability made him the top player in the Newport Mesa area.It was a tumultuous season for the Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo team, which made it all the more impressive that it was so successful.

The central force for the Sailors, who won the Sea View League title and reached the CIF Southern Section Division I championship game, was senior Clay Jorth -- the Daily Pilot’s Boys’ Water Polo Player of the Year.

The senior had 48 goals for Newport Harbor, including two in the Sailors’ 14-11 loss in the Division I championship game against Long Beach Wilson. He missed a portion of the season to play for Team USA in the Junior World Championships in October.

Goals alone were not what made Jorth such a special player, though his shots were often awe-inspiring. He led the team in assists and made sure things ran correctly in the pool.

“He was definitely our leader in and out of the pool,” Newport Harbor Coach Jason Lynch said. “He did everything a leader is supposed to do.”

Jorth played stifling defense and drew attention from opposing teams’ defense, freeing up other players.

The Sailors were dealt a blow when Clay’s younger brother, Clinton Jorth, suffered fractured facial bones in a game against El Toro in October in a kicking incident many observers felt was intentional.

Clay Jorth and the Sailors kept their composure to avoid a major incident against El Toro the rest of that game, then when the teams met twice more, including in the Division I quarterfinals.

“He talked to the team several times about keeping their composure, saying stuff like, ‘My brother would have wanted it that way,’” Lynch said.

The Sailors topped El Toro, then beat Corona del Mar in the semifinals. Clay Jorth’s goal with 1:07 left in the second overtime period gave the Sailors (25-6) a 13-12 victory over the Sea Kings.

Here’s a look at this year’s Dream Team.

* Clay Jorth: Most high school teams would be hard-pressed to find someone better than Jorth at setting up his team’s offense, playing tenacious defense -- often against the opposing team’s best player -- and scoring clutch goals.

Jorth was an All-CIF Southern Section Division I first-team selection.

* Tom Money: Money emerged as one of the best drivers in Orange County and was part of a formidable one-two punch with Jacob Murphy, sharing the scoring load for Corona del Mar. Money scored a power play goal in the Division I semifinals against Newport Harbor to send the game into overtime. Money was a first-team All-CIF Division I selection.

* Jacob Murphy: Murphy developed into a stellar two-meter man, and combined with Money to score close to 200 goals. Murphy helped the Sea Kings capture the Pacific Coast League title. Murphy, a first-team All-CIF Division I selection, scored five goals in the semifinal loss to Newport Harbor.

* Kyle Thorsness: The senior carried the load all season for Costa Mesa. Thorsness was the Golden West League’s MVP. He was the leading scorer in Orange County, with 157 in 27 games, leading Costa Mesa to second place in league. Thorsness had two 11-goal games this season

* Chad Kunert: The senior was an All-Golden West League first-team pick for Estancia. Kunert netted 85 goals in Estancia’s first 18 games and led the team to the playoffs for the first time in his four years on varsity.

* Brett Auer: Auer led Newport Harbor in goals with 72 and was an All-CIF Southern Section Division I first-team selection. Auer was instrumental in Newport Harbor’s CIF semifinal victory over Corona del Mar, netting five goals.

* Bryce McClain: The junior goalkeeper averaged 9.2 saves per match for the Sailors and was an All-CIF Division I second-team pick. McClain had several big saves in Newport Harbor’s league title-clinching victory over Foothill.

2005 DAILY PILOT ALL-NEWPORT-MESA BOYS’ WATER POLO DREAM TEAM