CN100 Game of the Week preview: Boys Water Polo - Neuqua Valley vs. Lyons Township

Boys Water Polo – Neuqua Valley vs. Lyons Township

Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 23, 6 p.m.

Broadcast Dates/Times: Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, Noon and 4 p.m. on CN100, The Comcast Network. Visit cn100.tv for additional airtimes.

Where: Lyons Township High School South Campus, 4900 S. Willow Springs Rd., Western Springs.

Records (as of 4/21/15): Neuqua Valley (12-4 overall), Lyons (18-3 overall, 4-0 West Suburban).

Key players: Neuqua Valley: Jack Angus, Lucas Becker, Joey Dalesandro, Scott DePuy, Brandon Gorski, Ian Ivkovich, Austin Mollway, Troy Salafatinos, Simon Shatinsky, Brett Whaley. Lyons: Adam Cardone, Nathan Henderson, Tommy Kaptur, Jack Linden, George Lundgren, Matt McDonnell, Sean Shafer, Sam Szczepaniak, Thomas Waters.

Fast Facts: Lyons is on the quest for its second state title. In 2012, the Lions became the first public school to win a state title since water polo became an IHSA sport in 2002. They won 22 games last year before falling to state power Fenwick in the sectional finals. A strong defensive team, Lyons is poised for another deep run this year. The Lions avoid Fenwick in sectionals this year as both schools host sectional tournaments. Kaptur was a second-team all-state selection last year. Neuqua has perhaps its best chance to break through the difficult Naperville-area sectional to the state tournament for the first time. They fell to Lyons 9-8 on March 21 in their only meeting this season. Winners of 18 games a year ago, the Wildcats have had a strong start to the season with the postseason looming soon. They are 6-2 against teams that will appear in their sectional, falling to Naperville Central twice. Nearly all of their key players are back from last season. In the current state rankings on illpolo.com, Lyons is ranked fourth and Neuqua Valley is ranked fifth. Fenwick is No. 1, followed by Naperville Central and Stevenson.

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