Pool Powerhouse

Palisades High Boys Water Polo Stays on Track to Continue City Dynasty

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Goals came by the bucketful last Thursday at Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center and by the time Palisades High players left the pool deck they had notched another easy league win in a season that they hope will culminate with a 12th consecutive City championship.     

The Dolphins scored early and often against LACES, building an 8-1  lead by the end of the first quarter. It was 13-3 by halftime and 20-5 at the final buzzer, as everyone in blue speedo and cap got a chance to play and contribute to the victory. 

Sophomore attacker Jack Gallagher led the charge by netting six goals and senior co-captain Charlie Speiser, whose older brothers Sammy and Maximo helped forge a dynasty he and his current teammates are trying to keep alive, added three goals. Sophomore Oliver Ghiassi and senior Leo Debeljak each tallied twice and also getting on the scoresheet were   Hudson Mirzadeh, Ben Mokhtar, Sean Ellis, Ilan Ahdout, Jonah Isackson, Sherwin Hazany and Ian White. Senior co-captain Logan Mirzadeh made the necessary saves in goal.    

The last obstacle between the Dolphins and another perfect season in league comes today against visiting San Pedro, which played Palisades tough in an 11-8 defeat in the teams’ first meeting October 7. After that, the Dolphins begin their quest to retain the City trophy that has been their property since their title streak started in 2012. 

 The Dolphins have not suffered a postseason loss since Cleveland beat them in the quarterfinals in 2011, the year the program was re-instated by coach Adam Blakis. Since then, they have strung together 11 straight titles, the second-longest active title streak in any sport in the City behind Palisades’ boys tennis team, which has won 15 straight dating back to 2009.