Boerne Champion is in the midst of a prolific run of five straight boys water polo state tournament appearances.
But a state championship still eludes the Chargers.
Boerne Champion fell to Austin Westlake 15-8 Saturday afternoon at Josh Davis Natatorium in the UIL state championship match.
"It's a success because we haven't made it to that game in two years," said Boerne Champion head coach Scott Slay when reflecting on the Chargers' season. "To make it back, that's the accomplishment and relief the boys had."
While Boerne Champion has qualified for state every season since 2022, the Chargers missed out on the state title match the last two years. Boerne Champion got past League City Clear Creek in Friday's state semifinals, and got a measure of revenge in taking out the team that eliminated the Chargers from last year's state tournament.
But the Chargers had another familiar foe standing in their way. Boerne Champion entered Saturday's match 0-2 all time against Westlake, including a 9-5 loss in non-district play Sept. 19.
"Westlake is one of the best teams I've seen in the last 25 years," Slay said.
Boerne Champion was held scoreless in the entire first half as Westlake jumped to an 8-0 lead at the halftime break. The Chargers took 28 shots compared to the Chaparrals' 33, but had some misfortune at the net as multiple shots clanked off the bar.
"The bar is not your friend and turnovers kill you," Slay said. "And that's what happened."
Boerne Champion got on the board with 4:30 left to play in the third quarter with a goal by senior utility player Grant Perkins, who took advantage of a power play. The Chargers outscored the Chaparrals 8-7 in the final two quarters, but the scoreless first half was too much for Champion to overcome.
"I think they came out a little nervous," Slay said of the first half. "Looking at our second half, we were probably the better team in the second half. So I think nerves got them."
Slay also credited Westlake for their defensive efforts on senior utility player Julius Hoxhaj, the reigning Express-News Boys Water Polo Player of the Year. Hoxhaj led Boerne Champion in scoring with four goals on Saturday afternoon, but Westlake consistently had two defenders on him.
"Other kids stepped up," Slay said. "We had some good goals."
Perkins scored three goals before Hoxhaj put the ball in the net with 1:41 to play in the third quarter. Junior utility player Landon Muenchow also scored a goal for the Chargers with 6:28 remaining in the final quarter.
"They've really matured and they're just a great group of kids to be around," Slay said of this year's team. "And sometimes it's bigger than the game."
Boerne Champion finishes the season at 25-4, while Westlake caps its championship run at 30-1. Westlake senior defender Luke Welton was named the game's MVP and led both teams in scoring with six goals.
As Boerne Champion looks ahead to next year for another opportunity at its first state title, Slay believes water polo in the Greater San Antonio area will only get better.
"The future's bright in San Antonio," he said. "San Antonio is closing the gap."
Subscribe
There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Boerne Champion falls to Austin Westlake in boys water polo state final.