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Corona del Mar’s boys water polo team leaned on its anticipation skills, leg strength and technique Wednesday night for a defensive effort that filled the Santa Margarita pool deck with one thumping echo after another.

The Sea Kings used their shot blocking in the field and 12 saves from goalie Ben Kubichek to defeat the Eagles 13-11 to claim the Group B in the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs and advance to the semifinals next week.

Corona del Mar (25-6), seeded third in the Open behind No. 2 Santa Margarita (26-4), had five players combine for seven field blocks.

The Sea Kings’ field blocks fueled their counterattack early and late, and helped limit the Eagles’ power play to a 4 for 11 effort.

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