Full strength Huron to vie for water polo title along with Skyline and Pioneer
Huron's Kelcy Barott, left, and Skyline's Stassia McGlothlin fight for the ball during the district final, which Huron won 6-5 in overtime. Both teams will compete in the state finals this weekend.
AnnArbor.com file photo
The Michigan Water Polo Association state finals is familiar territory for the members of the Huron High School team.
The River Rats, currently ranked third in the state, have advanced to the sport’s final weekend each of the past four years.
The player with the most state championship experience, however, didn’t get to play in last year’s tournament, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of players and coaches alike.
Kelcy Barott is Huron’s best player and arguably the top player in the state. A four-year starter, Barott was ruled academically ineligible for last year’s state tournament and Huron finished in a disappointing seventh place.
STATE FINALS PREVIEWS
Count Huron coach Evan Koorhan among those looking forward to seeing Barott in the pool, rather than in street clothes, this weekend. Barott won the East Region player of the year award and is a candidate for the top honor in the state.
“It’s reassuring to have your best player in the pool,” said Koorhan. “As a sophomore and freshman she got a lot of experience at states, so we’ll see how she reacts to this being her senior year.”
Huron comes is the tournament's No. 2 seed after losing to top-ranked Okemos in regional play. The River Rats will play East Grand Rapids in their opening game on Friday night at the Zeeland Natatorium. Should they win, they’ll play the winner of Pioneer and Rockford.
Rockford is No. 2 in the rankings while Pioneer, which took fourth at regionals, is ranked seventh.
The weekend will include three Ann Arbor teams. Skyline finished third at regionals to qualify for the state finals for the first time in the program's short history.
Having three Washtenaw County teams at the state level is nothing new. Saline finished runner-up the past two years.
“(Skyline) coming up is good for the area competitively,” Koorhan said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Okemos and three Ann Arbor teams keep playing itself out coming out of the East for years to come.”
Friday’s quarterfinal action begins at 4 p.m. with semifinals, finals and consolation bracket games starting at 8 a.m. Saturday.
For live tournament updates follow Saline resident and PA announcer for the tournament Jay Allen on Twitter @theannouncerman.
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.