Clay Jorth is no stranger to scoring goals. He's netted plenty while
playing for the No. 1-ranked Newport Harbor boys water polo team. But
scoring goals alone is not why Jorth is one of Orange County's top
players.
"He's not always the leading scorer, although sometimes he is,"
Newport Harbor Coach Jason Lynch said. "But that's not his most
important role. It's the confidence he brings to the team. He
controls the ball and the team. He gives his teammates confidence and
makes them better."
Jorth is strong in many aspects of the game.
"I'd say my strengths are experience, knowledge of the game,
swimming and shooting," Jorth said.
He also prides himself on dishing out assists.
"He kind of functions as our point guard," Lynch said. "He
distributes the ball really well."
Jorth also finds the back of the net really well. Last week when
Newport Harbor knocked defending champion Long Beach Wilson off the
No. 1 spot in CIF Southern Section Division I and claimed the spot as
its own with a 9-5 nonleague victory, the game started and ended with
goals by Jorth. The All-CIF Division I first-team returner closed out
the game with a man-advantage goal with two seconds left in
regulation time.
"Clay was big for us today," Lynch said after the game. "Not just
with his shooting, but his control of the ball and his control of
whatever situation he was in."
Jorth and the Sailors were not done. Last Saturday, the team
defeated San Diego powerhouse Coronado, 14-8. Jorth added three more
goals.
"With all the returning seniors, it's finally our turn," Jorth
said after the Long Beach Wilson game. "This is definitely Newport
Harbor's year to shine."
Jorth, emerging as one of the best water polo players to come out
of Newport Harbor High, also found out he'll be competing for Team
USA in the Junior World Championships
to be held near Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 6 to 15, at the
Pan-American Stadium in Del Mar Plata. The opening ceremony will take
place at the Pan American Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8.
"Oh yeah, he's for sure one of the top five players to come out of
Newport Harbor High," Lynch said.
Despite his Team USA commitments, Jorth is pumped up about what
could be a special season for the Sailors.
"I read that article about how Long Beach Wilson is mad they lost
to us. Hey, we came out ready to play," Jorth said. "If they weren't
ready to play to our level, hey ... It has definitely motivated us to
keep going. It has brought a high level of excitement to the pool
