Crusader scoring wizard Brown leads team to record-setting heights

Chula Vista’s Ben Brown could be in for another record-setting season this year for the record-setting Mater Dei Catholic High School boys water polo team.

The Crusaders cruised to their school-record 11th consecutive victory by defeating the visiting Eastlake Titans, 9-6, in a match-up of Mesa League unbeaten teams Oct. 13 in front of a packed deck.

Brown, a junior, was involved in seven of his team’s nine goals with four goals and three assists. He also contributed defensively with six steals.

He’s become a thorn in the side of Mesa League opponents since his freshman season. This season could be his best — and the best for Mater Dei Catholic.

“This was the first time we beat Eastlake,” Brown gushed. “There have been a lot of firsts this year.”

Brown made a splash as a freshman with 125 goals and 184 points to set school records. He was credited with 113 goals and 175 points his sophomore season.

Following the win over Eastlake, he had 91 goals and 159 points in 19 games. Extend those numbers over the remainder of the season and Brown could finish with more 120 goals and 200 points in 2016.

His scoring prowess earned him Most Valuable Player honors at the recent East County Invitational. In five games, he scored 29 goals, 17 assists and 31 steals to lead the Crusaders to the tournament championship – another first.

In the tourney final against West Hills, Brown scored nine goals, tacked on four assists and collected 10 steals in a statement performane.

Brown is still smiling about the accomplishment.

“That tournament was fun,” he said. “I love it when we’re in such close games. We were in three close games in the tournament.”

Brown earned team MVP honors his freshman and sophomore years with the Crusaders. That’s something he’s also proud of.

“It showed my teammates believed in me,” he said. “They believed I could help the team win and finish strong.”

Understandably, Brown did not enter high school without any prior water polo experience. He began playing the sport at age 9 with the San Diego Shores club program. He attended six Junior Olympic tournaments with the Shores program.

He is thriving with his current team.

“I love to talk with my teammates and help them out,” Brown said. “I’m normally a four-five player, like a quarterback. I like to do outside shooting. Basically, I like to shoot.”

The previous team consecutive win record was nine games. If the Crusaders can keep it going, something special stands as a reward at the end of the season.

“I want to win league,” Brown said. “We’ve never won the Mesa League championship. I also want to win CIF. That’s a definite goal. I want to beat my points record.”

A lot of firsts could still be coming.

Brown’s motivation? “Keep winning,” he offered with a smile.

Clash of the Titans

Both Mater Dei Catholic and Eastlake entered the Oct. 13 game with identical 3-0 Mesa League records.

The Crusaders (4-0 in league, 14-6 overall) zipped out to a 4-1 lead, though the Titans (3-1 in league, 5-13 overall) did manage to narrow the score to 5-3 at halftime before the hosts built an 8-4 lead late in the game.

“We didn’t stick to our game plan,” EHS head coach Austin Legg said. “They played well together, got the ball to who could make plays and made them happen.”

Sophomore Juan Hernandez helped buttress the Mater Dei Catholic victory with two goals and two assists while sophomore Nick Salisbury contributed a goal and assist. Senior teammates Michael Garcia and Roberto Jimenez each scored one goal.

Cayden Pangelinan and Javier Nunez each scored two goals for Eastlake.

Mater Dei Catholic continues its quest for this year’s Mesa League title with games against Otay Ranch (Tuesday) and Hilltop (Thursday).

Boys Water Polo
2016 Scoreboard

Mesa League
Tuesday, Oct. 11

Otay Ranch 9, Hilltop 6
Eastlake 11, Mar Vista 5

Thursday, Oct. 13
Mar Vista 9, Otay Ranch 8
Mater Dei Catholic 9, Eastlake 6

Tuesday, Oct. 18
Hilltop 11, Mar Vista 10 (OT)

Thursday, Oct. 20
Hilltop 7, Mater Dei Catholic 6

South Bay League
Tuesday, Oct. 11

San Ysidro 16, Chula Vista 7
Southwest 17, Castle Park 5

Thursday, Oct. 13
Olympian 21, Chula Vista 1
San Ysidro 14, Castle Park 2

Tuesday, Oct. 18
San Ysidro 16, Southwest 5

Thursday, Oct. 20
Chula Vista 13, Castle Park 7

Non-League
Saturday, Oct. 15

Southwest 10, El Cajon Valley 6
El Camino 19, Southwest 1
Monte Vista 14, Southwest 3
Chula Vista 14, El Cajon Valley 7
El Camino 17, Chula Vista 2
Monte Vista 11, Castle Park 1
Mt. Miguel 19, Castle Park 4