Boerne Champion boys avenge loss to Clear Creek, advance into state finals

Boerne Champion's Julius Hoxhaj throws the ball towards the goal during the Water Polo State Tournament semifinals at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio on Oct. 23, 2026. (Blaine Young/For the Express-News) Boerne Champion took its first loss of the season to League City Clear Creek in August, but the Chargers weren't going to let the Wildcats get past them a second time.Boerne Champion downed Clear Creek 17-12 in Friday afternoon's UIL water polo state semifinals at Josh Davis Natatorium. The Chargers face Austin Westlake for the boys state title at noon Saturday. "We lost by one goal in August, but it really helped shape what our offense is going to be, how we're going to move defensively against them, and help me as a goalie learn how they shoot," Boerne Champion senior goalkeeper Jackson Hankins said about facing Clear Creek on Aug. 15. Boerne Champion held a 4-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Chargers took control of the match by halftime. Eight Boerne Champion goals in the second quarter proved to be too much for Clear Creek to overcome."I believe we played as a team," Boerne Champion senior utility player Julius Hoxhaj said. "We played team defense. We played team offense way better than we did every year, and I think that really benefited us in today's match." Hoxhaj, the reigning Express-News Boys Water Polo Player of the Year, led the match in scoring with six goals. Boerne Champion senior attacker Ethan Altermatt followed with five goals. Hankins recorded 13 saves in the afternoon. While Boerne Champion has made five consecutive state tournament appearances, the Chargers have yet to bring home a state title, something they hope will change Saturday. This year's seniors last played in a state final match as freshmen. "Hopefully we can keep up tomorrow against Westlake or Hebron," Hoxhaj said. "We'll see what happens." Boerne Champion's Nicolas Mendoza throws the ball during the Water Polo State Tournament semifinals at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio on Oct. 23, 2026. (Blaine Young/For the Express-News) Clark falls in state semifinalsAlthough Clark girls water polo saw its season end with a loss, the Cougars exceeded head coach Jeffrey Segrest's expectations."I can't be happier with the way the girls handled that game, talked to each other, supported each other throughout, kept building each other up and pushing each other for more," Segrest said. "It's a great result after a long season."Clark fell to Lewisville Hebron 25-15 Friday morning at Josh Davis Natatorium in UIL state semifinals. Clark ends its season 26-4 overall, while Hebron takes on Clute Brazoswood in Saturday morning's state final. Clark's Haley Harris sprints to the ball during the Water Polo State Tournament semifinals at the Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio on Oct. 23, 2026. (Blaine Young/For the Express-News) Hebron struck first off of a goal at the 6:13 mark in the first quarter. Clark tied the match with 4:08 left in the first quarter with a goal by sophomore defender Colette Dreher, but Hebron led for the remainder of the match.Segrest said his young team was tested early due to multiple exclusions in the first quarter. The coach added that Clark has multiple athletes who just started playing water polo this season."They did it well," Segrest said of his team's efforts. Junior Ali Maldonado led Clark with seven goals. Freshman Maddie Halliburton recorded five goals for the Cougars. Hebron's Ryann Renfroe led all scorers with 11 goals. While Clark came up short in its first state appearance, the Cougars are returning a bulk of their core players next year like Dreher, Halliburton and Maldonado. "First time here, and now they've got that experience under their belt," Segrest said. "Hopefully, that'll take some of the pressure off games during the regular season. They know how far they've come and how far they can go." SubscribeThere’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Boerne Champion boys avenge loss to Clear Creek, advance into state finals.