Oilers surf past rival San Clemente

Huntington Beach High withstood a late charge by San Clemente in a heated prep surf competition last weekend at the Huntington Beach Pier, and the Oilers were able to hold on for a 71-70 victory over the Tritons in the National Surf League’s Red Bull High School Cup.

Huntington took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter where San Clemente scored some top waves to get back into contention.

Trevor Sanders landed a huge front side alley-oop air followed by two huge snaps, moves that earned him the game’s Most Radical Maneuver award.

The Oilers, however, were able to secure the win with eight minutes remaining behind big scores from AJ Collins, Quin McCrystal and Colton Larson.

The Tritons dominated the first quarter but the Oilers rallied back in the second quarter, using three power-snap moves by Larson in the final minute to improve Huntington’s point total.

Larson went on to be named game MVP.

The Oilers are coached by Andy Verdone and Barry Deffenbaugh.

Tritons coaches are professional surfers Mike Losness and Nate Yeomans.

The Huntington Beach competition is one of six stops on this year’s cup schedule. Huntington will be one of four teams to compete on June 18-19 at The Red Bull High School Cup national championship final at San Onofre Trails Beach in San Clemente.

The National Surf League is a revolutionary competitive surfing organization established in 2001 by legendary pro surfer, Brad Gerlach. The league is dedicated to the pursuit of surfing excellence, building awareness for the sport of surfing while creating a fun, competitive landscape for all types of surfers.