The boys water polo team aims to start strong after a successful season the previous year.

“This year, we have a lot better focus, and it’s mainly going to be setting a good example for all the people who tend to get distracted,”   junior goalie Ben Rapperport said. “We also have a lot of great captains that want us to succeed, so we’ll be able to work hard and get the results.”

From the 2016 starting lineup, Rapperport and senior Jack Anderson are the two returning starters from last year’s seven players.

The team will start two more seniors, two juniors and one sophomore for this season.

Last season the team reached the Central Coast Section (CCS) tournament quarterfinals and achieved a second place finish in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL), where crosstown rival Henry M. Gunn High School defeated them.

Gunn also defeated both teams in leagues.

“It was disappointing when we lost in triple overtime to Gunn in league championships, but we’re hoping to go undefeated in leagues [this year] which is fully possible,” Rapperport said.

Head coach Aaron Johnson also conveys a similar goal for the team’s upcoming season.

“We’ve been working super hard from day one,” Johnson said. “Everybody has the same goal in mind, so it’s a pretty easy goal to work towards when everyone has the same thing in mind.”

The boys are determined to go as far as possible in CCS as well as in leagues, according to Rapperport and Johnson.

Johnson said his key players this season include seniors Bryan Look, Matthew Nemeth and Jack Anderson. Their experience will help guide the team to victory and fill the slots left by graduated seniors.

“It was disappointing when we lost in triple overtime to Gunn in league championships, but we’re hoping to go undefeated in leagues [this year] which is fully possible.”

Ben Rapperport

“They just have a ton of experience between them,” Johnson said. “They’ve been playing together for a long time and they’re great leaders. There are also some young guys ­­— some freshmen actually — that are showing some promise, one being Charles Mitz.”

Johnson also said sophomore Dexter Gormley is an important player.

“So we have a little bit of firepower coming in, especially from the younger side,” Johnson said.

The team had its first game at Junipero Serra High School on Aug. 30. and were defeated 8-19.

Their next game is at Los Altos against Los Altos High School   at 6:45 p.m. on  Sept. 7.