McHenry dominates

McHenry's Tim Briscoe (left) is guarded by Conant's Brandon Chic while he shoots during McHenry's season-opening water polo game Monday at McHenry West. McHenry won, 22-4. (Sarah Nader – snader@nwherald.com)

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McHENRY – Replacing one of the top scorers in the state was a simple process for McHenry’s boys water polo team heading into the season – divide and conquer.

Seven Warriors scored in Monday’s season opener as McHenry downed Conant, 23-4.

Kyle Braun led the Warriors with five goals but said replacing the 167 goals that departed graduate Reilly Shanahan scored last season was going to be a team effort.

“We’re going to have six good players all the time. We all have to step up,” Braun said. “We depended on Reilly, now I’m going to depend on five other guys.”

Warriors coach Craig Fowles said spreading the scoring around would not allow teams to try to shut down one or two top players.

“I think that’s a better weapon,” Fowles said. “You can cover [Braun], but what are you going to do about everyone else?”

Even on his goals, Braun credited his teammates with getting him the ball in good scoring positions.

“I just kept getting beautiful passes,” Braun said. “It’s a great way to start the season.”

Also scoring for the Warriors were Phillip Lesniak, Drew Schmitt and Dylan Clohessy, each with four goals. Scott Dabrowski, Lucas Matthys and Tim Briscoe each scored twice, and Alex Birkle made 16 saves in goal.

The question is whether McHenry can be one of the top eight teams in the state as they have been the past two years after winning sectionals and qualifying for state.

Lesniak said he was confident in his team and felt they were in better shape at this point in the season than they were a year ago. That confidence comes from the experience of having 10 varsity returning players.

“This year we’ve got our communication spot on,” Lesniak said. “We knew where everyone was. There was no hesitation.”

Other returning players in addition to the goal scorers are Andrew Hertel, Jordan Kuchenmeister and Birkle.

McHenry is ranked 11th by illpolo.com, but Lesniak said repeating and possibly exceeding the success of the past two years is very possible.

“This year we should be better than ever,” Lesniak said. “We play as a team.”

After one game, Fowles is not ready to make any predictions but was happy with the way his team came out and played, particularly compared to last season. In its season opener last year, the Warriors edged Conant, 8-4.

“Every year I get all worked up about the first game,” Fowles said. “I knew I had a group of guys who could play well together. The big test will come.”

Fowles said he would have a little better feeling for how good his team was after playing in the Palatine Tournament on Friday and Saturday. On Friday the Warriors will face St. Ignatius, the fourth-ranked team in the state, and Saturday they will play Mundelein, the ninth-ranked team. McHenry lost to St. Ignatius in the state quarterfinals last year, 14-8, and the Wolfpack went on to take third.

Fowles said he was more concerned with how his team played this weekend than whether they win or lose. But winning would definitely make an early statement.

“If we win, holy smokes,” Fowles said. “If we’re close, I’ll be happy.”