PREP PREVIEW ’92 / WATER POLO : NEWPORT HARBOR

Coach: Bill Barnett (27th year).

1991: 17-4, 4-1 in league; lost in 4-A second round to Long Beach Wilson; finished second in Sea View League.

Key returners: Nathan Alexander, Jr.; Lee LaFlamme, Sr.; Brett McAllister, Sr.; Brian McAllister, Sr.

Key newcomers: Gabe Wyatt, So.; Jason Marsh, Jr., goalkeeper; Brad Pence, Sr.; Michael DiGruccio, Jr.; Montgomery Norton, Jr.

Outlook: Barnett didn’t see this team much during the summer because he was busy coaching his second U.S. Olympic team, but the program apparently didn’t suffer a drop-off in the hands of former Sailors Dean Crow, who played at UC Irvine, and Eriks Krumins, who played at California. There are some concerns, however. LaFlamme, a strong driver, might miss the first half of the season because of a chronic shoulder injury, and Marsh hasn’t been tested at goalie. But the McAllister twins, Alexander and Wyatt provide a strong nucleus that should be able to challenge Corona del Mar’s hold on the league title. “Our potential is there; it’s just a matter of whether we can get the guys to jell,” Crow said.