Putting up a fight is an understatement. This past weekend on Saturday, November 11, the boys water polo team had their CIF final playoff game against Ayala High School at Mt. San Antonio College in the city of Walnut. The boys played hard but ultimately lost 7-10.
Water polo is a team sport that combines elements of soccer, hockey, and basketball with seven players on each team aiming to throw a ball in the opposite team’s net. While treading water, players have to pass and shoot the ball while defending against their opponents.
Throughout the season, the boys have had countless 5 a.m. workouts as well as practicing almost every weekday working tirelessly to become the strongest and fastest team they can be. Junior Aaron Syed said, “It’s exhausting. Sometimes we have practice before and after school but we all enjoy it and the progress we have made is worth it.”
During the entirety of the game, parents were cheering, screaming, and some were even stomping on the benches. Royal supporters, ranging from young siblings to high school students and all the way to grandparents, started cheering during quarter breaks, and at one point, cheers became competitive between the two teams.
Boys water polo had been in the lead with a score of 5-3 until their opponent Ayala caught up, tying the score 6-6 at the end of the third quarter. Senior Carleigh Owens said, “This was the most devastating game I’ve watched. We are all so proud of our team.”
Ending with a final score of 7-10, boys water polo faced a challenging defeat in the final playoff game yet their passion and determination remains in the team and if you see them, please congratulate them on their perseverance through the season.
