By Steve Ramirez
@steverramirez
CLAREMONT — When it comes to boys water polo, Damien High School and Harvard-Westlake are two of the better programs in Southern California.
Both are ranked in their respective divisions, and usually have a say during the CIF-Southern Section playoffs in November.
The visiting Wolverines look to be a little ahead of the game Tuesday.
Ben Hallock and Johnny Hooper scored four goals each and Harvard-Westlake shutout Damien in the second half en route to a 16-3 victory in a nonleague game at Claremont McKenna College.
The Wolverines, also getting two goals each from Warren Snyder, Duncan Froomer and Morio Saito, improved to 6-1. Harvard-Westlake is ranked No. 2 in Division 1.
Harvard-Westlake outshot Damien, 11-4 in the second half, allowing just two shots on goal.
Harvard-Westlake coach Brian Flacks: “We have a lot of respect for Damien and (head coach Grant Miller). He’s done a lot with the program, taking them to the Division 2 semifinals last year. They’re always a competitor, so coming out here on the road and getting a ‘W’ is always a big thing. We take a lot of pride to train and compete to put us in position to win these types of games. It’s a good win for us.”
Damien coach Grant Miller: “They are a very good team,” Miller said. “Its why they are one of the best in the country. Our biggest problem is we weren’t willing to play hard enough. We came in scared, and that’s exactly what happened. You play scared, and we got annihilated out there.”