Coyotes claim Sunnyside title
For the Madera Tribune The Madera Coyote boys water polo team celebrates a championship in the Silver Division of the Sunnyside Water Polo Tournament on Saturday.
In the 17th annual Sunnyside Water Polo Tournament, the Madera Coyote boys water polo team used two big victories in pool play to head to the championship bracket.
The Coyotes defeated Chowchilla 17-4 and then added a 12-3 win over Fresno High.
The Coyotes then defeated Reedley and advanced the Coyotes to the championship of the Silver Division against Santa Maria.
The Coyotes scored three goals in the first period and held on for an 11-7 victory.
“Every athlete played well,” head coach Rick Martines said. “These young men did not give up and played with intensity, pride and teamwork. I am extremely proud of my athlete and they represented Madera High and our city with great honor.”
The boys and girls Coyotes play at Sanger on Thursday with the girls beginning at 5:30 p.m. and boys at 6:30 p.m. Girls Water Polo Highlighted by Jessica Diaz’s 27 goals in five games, the Madera Coyote girls water polo team placed third at the Hanford Tournament on Saturday.
Diaz scored a tournament-high 10 goals in a 16-5 victory over Sierra Pacific.
Madera’s lone loaa came in the semifinals against Clovis East. Diaz scored four goals and Emily Goertzen added three more in a 9-7 loss.
The Coyotes cam back with an 11-10 sudden-death overtime victory over Exeter in the third place game. Diaz tied the game with 11 seconds left and Goertzen ended the game with a shot into the upper corner for the win.
