License-plate holders often give an indication of the vehicle owners' favorite activity.

Some are generic with maybe just an auto dealer's name.

Others are more creative sporting messages such as "I'd rather be fishin'" ... or golfing ... or even sky-diving.

A decidedly different plate holder spotted tooling around the North Hills is an attention grabber. Gold letters on a black background on the top of the holder proclaims, "I'd rather be ..." The bottom edge completes the thought, "Playing H2O Polo."

Jump into the pool with the North Allegheny High School water polo team.

Although it's considered a non-varsity sport, the competitiveness of this year's boys' team has resulted in a 17-6 record.

They're scheduled to compete in the state championship tournament next weekend at Cumberland Valley High School near Mechanicsburg. The Tigers will be seeded fifth out of eight teams.

Likewise, the girls' team has made a splash this season, too, going 15-9. Its state tournament is tonight and tomorrow at North Penn High School in suburban Philadelphia. They are seeded sixth out of eight teams.

The program made its initial splash with longtime North Allegheny swimming coach Corky Semler leading the way.

Currently, Rob Semanchik coaches the team. A 22-year-old McCandless resident, he swam at North Allegheny before attending Arizona State University. The 50- and 100-meter freestyle sprints were his specialties at Arizona State, plus he played on the water polo team.

After playing the sport in high school and college, Semanchik got his chance to make a little known sport in this area popular. He was named the boys' and girls' water polo coach at North Allegheny before the start of this season.

"I know how challenging and how much fun this sport can be," Semanchik said. "I want to teach high school kids to enjoy it."

If scoring is fun, sophomore Zach Presto is having a ball with 26 goals. Not to be outdone, 17-year-old senior Stephanie Graham has hurled 20 balls into the net and sparkled on defense with 55 steals.

These two players are part of a program of 40 student-athletes, 21 boys and 19 girls.

The pool the game is played in is usually 82 feet by 66 feet. And in water 61/2 feet deep and sometimes deeper. Much like a soccer field, there are dividing lines. Along with the center line, the 2 meter and 4 meter lines in front of the goal figure prominently in the scoring.

The three fouls in water polo are ordinary, exclusion and penalty. These infractions are called by two referees.

Another part of the officiating crew are the "secretaries." They use a flag to indicate the end of a foul period and re-entry of players.

Like basketball, there are two clocks, one being the game clock and the other the 35-second shot clock.

Naturally, the most important element of the game is the players' ability to swim and tread water.

The game is broken down into four seven-minute periods, and those who participate have to be in excellent condition.

Jake Sherer and Elliott Baxter are 17-year-old senior captains. As demanding as the sport is, they both agree "it's fun."

Echoing the boys' sentiments are the girls' 17-year-old senior captains, Graham and Courtney Thompson.

"Once you understand it, it's a fun game," said Thompson.

Seven players, including the goalie, are allowed in the water at one time. There's a similarity between water polo and basketball or soccer.

Drivers (guards) bring the ball toward the goal. They either look to score themselves or pass to the "hole man." Defenders, stationed in the 2-meter zone have to be agile as they attempt to block passes.

Many fouls are called in that same area for underwater shenanigans such as pulling down the opposing team's best shooters.

Contrasting colored swim caps are worn to distinguish the opposing teams.

Only two other area schools have teams -- Seneca Valley and Keystone Oaks. Consequently, North Allegheny has traveled to Ohio and as far as Connecticut to find competition.

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