local Sports Nov. 12: Ashland falls in state water polo title tilt

Document text

--> --> Nov. 12: Ashland falls in state water polo title tilt Ashland Daily Tidings TUALATIN - The Ashland High boys water polo team fell just short in its bid for the school's first water polo state title, losing to Westview 9-5. The Grizzlies gave the Wildcats all they could handle Saturday for the first half. But the Wildcats - who have finished first or second in the past three years - scored three quick goals in the last 1:30 of the third quarter to pull ahead. The Grizzlies continued to battle into the fourth quarter as they scored three goals of their own - including one in which all-star Brad Scoles stole the ball from the Westview goalie and put it into the empty net. But that would end the Grizz scoring run. Scoles led the Ashland effort with three goals and five steals in the championship match. Brian Westerberg and Michael Stout each had one goal. After the match Scoles was named the state's Most Valuable Player. Teammate Evan Mather picked up second-team All-State honors and both Scoles and Mather were named to the all-tourney team. Elisa Jessop from the girls team was named honorable mention All-State. In the state tourney's opening match, the Grizzlies fought off Beaverton, 9-7. Junior goalie Kyle Asher highlighted the Grizz effort with 15 blocked shots. Scoles led the team in scoring with four goals and five steals, while Mather added a pair of goals and four steals. In the semifinals, Ashland took care of Aloha 11-8. Scoles showed why he is the best prep player in the state by scoring eight of his team's 11 goals. Scoles also had seven steals in the defensive end of the pool. Mather, Westerberg and Stout each added a goal. As a team the Grizzlies had 21 steals. The second place finish at state was the highest for Ashland in the program's four-year history. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing