Varsity Water Polo: CCHS Plays Against South Broward and Cypress Bay

BY HANNAH EUBANKS

On February 1st, the CCHS Cowboys water polo teams (Boys and Girls varsity), competed in their first game against their team rival, the South Broward Bulldogs. Unfortunately, both boys and girls varsity lost their games. Luckily, these were not district games for the Cowboys. Just a day later, the Cowboys hosted their very first district and home game, against the Cypress Bay High School Lighting. The boys won 7-3, but sadly the girls lost with a score of 5-7.

During the game against South Broward, the girls played first, an excitement arose as the clock ticked closer and closer to game time. Both teams knew tensions would be high, given that the Bulldogs were the ones who knocked the Lady Cowboys out of regionals last year. At halftime the score was 11-3 with the Bulldogs winning. As the game came to an end, the girls lost 19-6. With only two sisters scoring all of their goals, Melanie and Kristina Smith.

“This was definitely a learning experience for us,” said Kristina Smith. “Although it was our first game out, we do have potential and will very likely be ready to see this team again in regionals this year.”  

The boys took the water next, and they were eager to prove to everyone their talent this year. Joaquin Guarisma knew this was going to be a to tough, but good game for the Cowboys. Even if they did not win, it was still a good showing of where they stand this year and what needs to be improved. All in all, that’s really what non-district games are about, seeing where each team stands against one another, and how to get better in the end.

”I thought today will be a tough match, but we should be able to compete with them.” said varsity player Joaquin Guarisma.

The game ended not as the Cowboys had hoped with a score of 12-4.

As Cooper City’s water polo teams played their first district and home game against Cypress Bay High School, the girls were brought with an unpleasant surprise, when the Lighting brought out much more competition than expected.

“Tomorrow will be a much better game for us, and to redeem ourselves.” said Kristina Smith the day before the game.

This game, however, was much better for the Lady Cowboys. They were up by one at the end of the first quarter, thanks to senior Melanie Smith. This game brought out a fierce fire between the two teams. It was the Cowboys home game to show off their talent and Cowboy pride, while the Lighting were eager to redeem themselves after being defeated by the Cowboys last year. By halftime, the score was 2-3, and Cypress Bay was winning. This game was so intense, that players were being ejected for being too rough. Starting the fourth quarter, the score was 2-7, but the defense didn’t give up, they even held off Cypress Bay for the rest of the quarter, and even put in 3 more goals within the last 2 minutes. The buzzer ran out of time just as the Cowboys luck seem to pick up, ending the game with a score of 5-7, Cypress Bayon top.

Although the girls may have lost, the boys seemed to have a different result. In fact, they did redeem themselves from the night before against the Bulldogs. The Cowboys won their game with a score of 7-3. All seven of their goals coming from sophomores. Luke Tanner scored 3 goals, Joaquin Guarisma scored 2 goals, and Brandon Schleicher scored 2 goals as well.

Both water polo teams expressed true Cowboy pride in their games, by keeping up a strong fight when they were down and redeeming themselves.