Boerne Champion flat-out stomped League City Clear Creek 17-12 in the UIL water polo state semifinals Friday afternoon, erasing the sting of their only loss this season. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. The Chargers were not about to let Clear Creek get past them a second time, especially after losing to them by a single goal back in August. Now, they’re heading to the state title match.
Revenge is a Dish Best Served with Eight Goals
You could feel the tension coming into this one. Boerne Champion had that August loss to Clear Creek burning in their minds. Senior goalkeeper Jackson Hankins even admitted that first matchup helped them shape their entire offensive game plan and defensive moves. It also taught him how those Wildcats shoot. Talk about making adjustments! They held a tight 4-3 lead after the first quarter, but then Boerne Champion absolutely EXPLODED. They racked up a staggering eight goals in the second quarter. That kind of offensive burst is just brutal, and Clear Creek simply couldn’t recover.
The team play was clearly clicking. Senior utility player Julius Hoxhaj, who’s already the reigning Express-News Boys Water Polo Player of the Year, said it best: “We played team defense. We played team offense way better than we did every year, and I think that really benefited us in today’s match.” Hoxhaj was an absolute beast, leading the match with six goals. Senior attacker Ethan Altermatt wasn’t far behind, dropping five goals of his own. And backstopping it all, Hankins delivered a clutch performance with 13 saves. This team came to play, and they showed everyone why they’re serious contenders.
Clark Girls Fight Hard But Fall Short
While Boerne Champion is celebrating, it was a tough day for the Clark girls water polo team, whose season came to an end in their own state semifinal match. They fell to Lewisville Hebron 25-15. Even with the loss, Clark head coach Jeffrey Segrest was incredibly proud, saying his team exceeded expectations. He highlighted how well the girls handled the game, talked to each other, and supported each other throughout. Clark finished their season with an impressive 26-4 overall record, a testament to their dedication.
Hebron got on the board early, scoring at the 6:13 mark in the first quarter. Clark battled back, tying the match at the 4:08 mark thanks to a goal from sophomore defender Colette Dreher. But Hebron took the lead and held it for the remainder of the match. Segrest noted that his young team was tested early, facing multiple exclusions in the first quarter. He also pointed out that several athletes on his team had only started playing water polo this season. Despite the adversity, their effort was undeniable.
What’s Next for the Champs?
For Boerne Champion, the mission isn’t over. They’ve made five straight state tournament appearances, but they still haven’t brought home that state title trophy. The seniors on this squad last played in a state final match as freshmen, so this is their moment to finally get it done. They face Austin Westlake for the boys state title at noon Saturday. Hoxhaj is ready, saying, “Hopefully we can keep up tomorrow against Westlake or Hebron. We’ll see what happens.” You just know this team is hungry. Hebron will go on to play Clute Brazoswood in their state final on Saturday morning.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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