Champion boys are 2nd, Lady Chargers are 3rd at Waterpolooza water polo tourney

KERRY BARBOZA Sports Editor
08/20/2025 06:00 AM

SAN ANTONIO – Both Boerne Champion water polo teams were entered in the NISD Waterpolooza tournament last weekend in San Antonio.

This tourney drew the top teams from around the state and the Chargers proved they can play with the best of them.

The Chargers ended up playing both defending state champions in the tournament semifinals. The Champion boys won their match against Clear Creek to advance to the finals, while the girls fell to Brazoswood in the semis and ended up winning their thirdplace match.

The Charger girls went 5-1 at the tourney and the boys were 4-2.

Champion’s fun continues this weekend because the Chargers are playing in the Lewisville tournament.

Varsity Girls

At the tourney, the Lady Chargers won their first four matches – all against 6A schools.

Champion defeated Anderson, 11-2, then topped Bridgeland, 8-7, beat Hebron, 9-4 and finished off Stratford, 9-4.

Those four wins put Champion in the semifinals against the defending state champs and while the Chargers kept it close early, the Lady Buccaneers pulled away with a 10-3 win. All three Champion goals came from Bennett Rice.

Chargers water polo coach Scott Slay talks with his team during a break in the action in last Saturday’s semifinals match against Clear Creek. The Chargers won and played for the tourney title against Hebron.

The Lady Chargers closed out the tourney with a 6-4 win over Brandeis for third place after Rice scored 4 goals.

Champion is 7-2 overall.

Varsity Boys

Champion only lost to one team at the tourney and it was to Hebron twice and both losses came by one goal. The second time they played it was for the tourney title.

The Chargers opened up the event by doubling up Anderson, 16-8. Champion took care of Bridgeland, 17-9, before falling to Hebron. The Hawks won in overtime, 14-13.

Champion closed out the first day with a 16-10 victory over Strake Jesuit.

The Chargers faced the defending state champs Clear Creek in the semifinals in a seesaw battle Saturday afternoon, and won, 12-10.

Julius Hoxhaj and EJ Altermatt both tallied 4 goals in the match, while Will Harrison had 3 goals and Grant Perkins added a goal.

Their win over the defending state champs put them in the finals against Hebron. The Hawks prevailed in regulation by a goal, 13-12, with Harrison and Hoxhaj scoring 5 goals each.