DAILY PILOT HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:Energetic Sherman squashes insecurities

Collin Sherman represents the evolutionary pattern Newport Harbor High water polo coach Jason Lynch would like for his players.

Like many on the Sailors youth-dominated roster, Sherman, a junior, came in with no tangible experience at the varsity level. And like his teammates he inherited the pressure of following a squad that made it to the CIF Southern Section Division I championship game.

With the pressures in a new arena came a test of confidence, which everyone on the team has faced.

But Sherman has progressed faster than others — from essentially a varsity rookie known for his defense, to a dependable goal scorer with a knack for clutch performances.

In a recent week span of three games, Sherman — who comes off the bench — led the team in goals, including a team-high three against Back Bay rival Corona del Mar, and scored his third game-winning goal of the season against Los Alamitos, earning him the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week honor.

He scored another game-winner for a 5-4 quarterfinal victory over Miramonte in the TruWest Memorial Cup Invitational Friday.

“He’s stepping up,” Lynch said. “He’s definitely taking advantage of his opportunities.”

Getting the opportunities has never been a problem. While Sherman does not start, he is the first one off the bench, gets as much playing time as anyone on the team and is always in the game in the waning seconds.

Sherman’s game-winners have come in critical Sunset League contests, allowing the Sailors to take down top league foes Esperanza and Los Alamitos.

“It’s really fun when you win the game,” Sherman said. “You feel all of everyone’s energy inside of you. Out there I’m thinking ‘I’ve got to put this one way.’ Then it’s ‘I can’t let them score.’ There’s an adrenaline rush. You get tired, then all of a sudden you’re full of energy.”

The energy comes back any time Sherman thinks of the two instances.

Recently, when he watched a clip of his game-winner against Los Alamitos, he began leaping around the weight room and inevitably cut his knee on a box he was attempting clear.

Sherman is now filled with a confidence he was lacking early in the season and he credits it to Lynch. The sixth-year coach has his players write down insecure thoughts they have during games, then write down a fact that counteracts it.

“I’ve written down ‘I can’t score on this goalie,’ ” Sherman said. “Then I wrote down ‘I practice against Bryce McLain, one of the best goalies in the state. If I can score on him then I can score on anybody.’ ”

Lynch has also helped Sherman with the mental side of game, which fits perfectly with Sherman, who said he finds school fascinating.

While Sherman sits on the bench waiting to be inserted, he analyzes the other team’s players.

So, when he enters the game shots are not taken with force, but thought.

“He’s probably our most creative shooter,” Lynch said. “He’s the best skip shooter. If he sees an opening he can put the ball in there.”

Sherman’s elusiveness and swimming ability — he’s been swimming since he was 3 — allow him just enough time to pick apart the goalkeeper.

“I like to watch players play to see what I need to watch out for,” Sherman said. “You have to know when to take a shot. Even when you take a cross shot you have to read the goalie. You have to know is that the right side to shoot it at.”

Even though the spotlight has been on him in games this season, Sherman always defers to the team.

“I try my hardest to be as unselfish as possible,” he said.

And this year’s Sailors want to accomplish what last year’s team fell one game short of doing.

“That’s everyone’s dream is to win CIF,” Sherman said. “We really want it. I think we can do it. It’s anyone’s game.”