Junior among five all-league water polo honorees from Live
Oak
MORGAN HILL — When it comes to being the best in his class in Mount Hamilton Division water polo, Live Oak’s Danny Robinson is 3 for 3.
The hot-shooting utility man has been named the Blossom Valley Athletic League ‘A’ conference Junior of the Year, extending an impressive prep resume that includes Sophomore of the Year honors in 2008. Robinson was the only freshman who earned first-team, second-team or special recognition in 2007.
“You certainly hope to see your players progress each year,” Live Oak coach Mack Haines said Monday. “Every year, Danny has continued to improve. If he continues, I really think he’s ready to be one of the very top players in the league.”
Robinson, who, in some games, rotated between every position except goal keeper, led the Acorns in goals for the second straight season. That is not to say he wasn’t a team player. Robinson took fewer shots this fall and was as effective with his passing and defense, which were crucial in Live Oak’s first-round Central Coast Section playoff win, 12-8, over Burlingame.
The No. 8-seeded Acorns (13-11) reached the Division II quarterfinals.
“We struggled from time to time on offense,” Haines said. “We didn’t get the consistency we needed. When things were working, Danny was a major part of it.
“I think he got a little more disciplined this year. I’m hoping, as he comes back as a senior, that he’ll gain some more consistency and really be there at both ends of the pool.”
Haines, who coached the Acorns to a Division I section championship in 1997, said Robinson also stood out in a thrilling regular-season game against St. Ignatius, the eventual No. 4 seed in the Division II tournament. Live Oak lost by one in overtime.
“There were games when he was just unstoppable,” Haines said. “That was one of them.”
Robinson was joined on the first-team all-league list by two teammates: senior Cody Coleman and up-and-coming sophomore Saul Orona. Coleman, a senior utility player, wrapped up a stellar prep career in which he earned second-team honors in 2008 plus a Sophomore of the Year award.
“Cody was our second-leading scorer. He had some outstanding offensive performances throughout the year,” Haines said. “When other teams would double-team Danny, Cody would score a lot and then take pressure off Danny by drawing defenders.”
Much of Live Oak’s offensive success was made possible by the defensive work of the coach’s son, Connor Haines, who has been named to the second-team list as a sophomore. Live Oak senior Alec Mainland, who entered his final season with only a year and a half of water polo experience, made the second team as well.
“Alec was a pleasant surprise,” Mack Haines said. “He comes from more of a lacrosse background. He went from being a learner to a solid starter.”
