The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The CIF Southern Section released its boys’ water polo playoff brackets today, with three Long Beach teams set to begin the postseason next week. Wilson aims to make a statement against the top competition in the CIF-SS, while Long Beach Poly and Millikan will look to navigate a challenging 32-team bracket.
Open Division
The Wilson boys’ water polo program got exactly what it set out for at the beginning of the season: a spot in the Open Division. The Bruins finished ranked No. 7 in CIF-SS and will battle through pool play as part of an eight-team field, competing in Pool B.
Unlike a regular style bracket, Wilson will face all three of the other teams in Pool B. As the lowest seed in the pool, the Bruins will hit the road for matchups against Santa Margarita (Oct. 29), Corona Del Mar (Nov. 1) and Mira Costa (Nov. 5). The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals.
Wilson has already been tested through a tough non-league slate, facing seven of the top 15 ranked teams including Corona del Mar and Mira Costa. The Bruins took Corona del Mar to double overtime in the first of their two matchups but fell by four goals in each game. Wilson also lost two close matches against Mira Costa, including a 9-8 loss in its season finale on Wednesday.
Division 3
It was evident from the tight battle between Long Beach Poly and Millikan this season that both teams would likely end up in the same bracket. That proved true, and the pair will look to climb a tough 32-team Division 3 bracket, with first-round matchups on Thursday.
Long Beach Poly had a second-place finish in the Moore League this season but struggled through a tough non-league schedule, finishing with an 8-19 record. Apart from that tough schedule was a matchup against Bonita, whom the Jackrabbits will face in the first round on Thursday. Bonita battled out a 9-8 win over Poly when they faced off in September.
Bonita finished the season 18-13 while claiming second place in the Palomares League. With a win, the Jackrabbits would move to face the winner between University and Roosevelt.
Millikan is back in the Division 3 bracket for the second consecutive year after finishing third place in the Moore League with an 11-12 record. The Rams faced a handful of Division 3 teams through their non-league schedule, including a thrilling league matchup against Poly that came down to the finals minutes.
Last year, the Rams fell in the first round against Flintridge Prep, but will look to turn the tables when they start their journey on Thursday at Santa Barbara. The Dons received an at-large bid into the playoffs after finishing the season 17-13.
The winner will advance to the second round and face either Arcadia or Elsinore. Millikan and Poly could potentially cross paths if both teams are able to pull off three playoff wins and make it to the semifinals.
