Here's my look at the Division III boys water polo playoff bracket:

Top seeds: No. 1 Murrieta Valley (24-2); 2. Montebello (24-3); 3. Laguna Beach (17-11); 4. Damien (23-6)

Laguna Beach insider: The Breakers can't look ahead but from this perspective, they appear positioned to clash with Montebello for the third time this season and the second time in the playoffs in as many years.  The Oilers bounced the Breakers in the semifinals last season, 10-6, and are 2-0 against the

Orange Coast League champs this fall. The biggest challenge: Montebello senior goalie Ely Bonilla. "He's a monster," Laguna Beach coach Ethan Damato said. But Damato still believes the Breakers can challenge the Oilers for a trip the finals. Laguna Beach has been slowed recently from a bout with the H1NI flu but the Breakers should be OK for visiting Chino in the first round Wednesday.

Best first-round matchup Wednesday: Temescal Canyon at Ayala. This one matches No. 7 (TC) vs. No. 8 (Ayala) from the final division coaches poll. It's also a revenge game from last year's first round - when TC beat Ayala, 13-10.

Darkhorse: Damien. The Spartans are strong on defense and fast in transition, an excellent combination this time of year. Last year in the semifinals, Damien fell to Murrieta Valley, 10-9.

Player to watch: Nolan McConnell of Laguna Beach. He's just a sophomore but has 10o goals to go along with 48 assists.

Defending champion: Montebello. Oilers defeated Murrieta Valley, 7-6, in 2008 final.

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