Max Abravanel has helped Northwood to a No. 2 ranking in Division 3. (Tim Burt photo)
Northwood junior Max Abravanel has led Northwood’s boys water polo team to a 21-7 overall record. The Timberwolves are No. 2 in this week’s CIF Division 3 rankings and wrapped up Pacific Coast League play Tuesday with a 16-4 victory over Irvine. The Timberwolves finished second in the PCL with an 8-2 record. Abravanel talked with OC Sports Zone after the match.
Talk about today’s victory
Abravanel: It was a really good team win. It just summed up the whole season into one game. We came off the Steve Pal Tournament and we played really well there (finishing second) and we wanted to keep that going because we have CIF (playoffs) coming up. Charlie Shobe is coming alive at the end of the season and doing a really good job, Spencer (Sellwood) is just a monster, Noah (Pendleton), our goalie is doing so good right now. Our team is really good this year. I think it’s better than it’s been in the past. I’ve been here for three years and this is a good team. We’re really close too, that’s the great thing, we’re friends outside the pool.
Thoughts about Northwood going up to the No. 2 seed in Division 3?
Abravanel: That’s amazing. I wasn’t expecting that coming into the year, it’s really cool. But we’re going to play every game like it’s going to be a close one. We’re going to play well and play to the best of our ability and we will see where it takes us.
What are your goals in the playoffs?
Abravanel: We want to win. We’re not in it just to play. We want to win. We’re going for a ring.
What will it take to get that ring?
Abravanel: A lot of teamwork. We’re a real team oriented group. I score a lot but it’s not just from me, it’s from someone getting me open, picks, counters. So, it’s going to take everyone’s full efforts. Our subs are going to have to play really well. They’re a big part of our team.
Any games that stand out this year?
Abravanel: That Woodbridge win (Northwood won 7-6 in the semifinals of the Steve Pal Tournament). That was a big one for us. That just gave us so much confidence because they have beaten us for the past three years, just two and out. So that was a good win for us; we played really well.
PLAYER TO WATCH: ABRAVANEL LEADS THE CHARGE FOR TIMBERWOLVES
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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