The spray of water, the echoing shouts, the relentless back-and-forth – it wasn’t just a City Section girls water polo final at Valley College on Wednesday night, it was a statement. Joliette St. Hubert, a sophomore with a preternatural calm in the face of pressure, fired in eight goals as Birmingham High School dismantled Granada Hills 18-9, cementing a dynasty that feels less like a winning streak and more like a shift in the city’s aquatic power structure. But beyond the final score, beyond Vincent Kezman’s fifth championship as head coach since 2015, lies a story about the evolving landscape of girls’ sports, the power of year-round commitment, and the quiet revolution happening in a sport often overlooked.
The Rise of the Club Player & Birmingham’s Blueprint
Birmingham’s dominance isn’t accidental. It’s a direct result of a trend sweeping across youth sports: the rise of the dedicated club player. As Kezman pointed out, the core of his championship team isn’t just skilled in-season, they’re honing their craft year-round on the same club team. This isn’t a new phenomenon, of course, but its impact on water polo is particularly striking. Prior to 2009, when the sport was reinstated in the City Section, programs struggled for consistent participation. Now, with a dedicated pipeline of athletes fueled by club competition, teams like Birmingham are reaping the rewards. The Patriots’ 22-8 record this season isn’t just about talent; it’s about consistent, focused development. Compare that to Granada Hills’ 10-5 record – a respectable showing, but one that highlights the competitive advantage Birmingham has cultivated.
Based on the original the Los Angeles Times report.
Beyond League Rivalries: A New Era of City Section Water Polo
The victory over Granada Hills carries extra weight. It wasn’t a win against an unfamiliar opponent; it was a decisive defeat of a West Valley League rival, a team that pushed them to a one-goal game just weeks prior on January 30th. Kezman acknowledged the sting of losing to a league opponent, stating, “It hurts more to lose to a team in your league.” This speaks to a growing intensity within the City Section, a shift away from the historical dominance of programs like Eagle Rock, which previously held a remarkable seven City titles (including a six-year run from 2012-2018). Birmingham now boasts six titles, including the last two in the Open Division, signaling a clear changing of the guard. The Patriots have effectively broken the longstanding rivalry with Palisades – having faced them in the previous six finals – and are now establishing a new benchmark for success.
The Youth Movement & A Glimpse into the Future
Look closer at Birmingham’s roster and the future looks even brighter. Fourteen underclassmen populate the varsity team, including freshman goalie Eli St. Hubert, who recorded 10 saves in the final. Alejandra Barragan, a key contributor with six goals in the championship game, is also an underclassman, and openly admitted the thrill of repeating as City champions, even as a freshman last year. This isn’t just a team built for the present; it’s a program designed for sustained success. The youth movement isn’t limited to Birmingham, however. San Pedro’s Division I victory over Palisades, fueled by Tatum Mahi’s clutch five-meter shot, also showcased the potential of young talent. Mahi, entrusted with all five-meter attempts by coach Stephanie Cuevas, embodies the confidence and skill being developed in these programs.
What Does Birmingham’s Success Mean for the Sport?
Birmingham’s back-to-back Open Division titles aren’t just a local story; they’re a microcosm of a larger trend in girls’ sports. Increased investment in club programs, coupled with dedicated coaching and a growing emphasis on year-round training, is creating a new generation of highly skilled athletes. The question now is whether this model will become the standard, potentially widening the gap between well-funded programs and those struggling to keep pace. Will the City Section see a further consolidation of power, with a handful of elite teams dominating the competition? Or will other schools find ways to replicate Birmingham’s blueprint and create a more level playing field? As more young athletes like Joliette St. Hubert dedicate themselves to the sport, the future of City Section girls water polo – and perhaps the sport itself – hangs in the balance.
