PEEK AT THE WEEK:Local teams seek crowns

Most people can’t help but laugh when they hear the sound bite of former Indianapolis Colts Coach Jim Mora talk about the postseason in that unforgettable press conference.

“Playoffs? Playoffs?,” the coach screamed, his voice squeaking, as he said he wasn’t even thinking about the playoffs.

For a few high school sports teams in the Newport-Mesa area, the playoffs, or the postseason, is no laughing matter. The squads are seeking a crowning moment and need a win to get that much closer. The intensity will most likely hit an all-time high at Corona del Mar Tuesday at 4 p.m., when the Sea Kings boys’ water polo team (18-9) will battle with Back Bay rival Newport Harbor (22-5). They are playing to advance to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs. The semifinals will be at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center next to Irvine High on Friday.

In girls volleyball, Corona del Mar (22-6), the top seed in Division II-AA, will play at Ayala (24-8) of Chino Hills in a semifinal, Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Sea Kings Coach Bill Christiansen said he doesn’t know much about the Bulldogs and he struggled when pronouncing, Ayala (Uh-ya-la).

But talking about his girls wasn’t difficult at all. He was impressed with their performance Saturday, when they defeated Bishop Montgomery, 25-14, 25-23, 25-14.

“We played a lot better than before,” Christiansen said. “Juliane [Piggott] played spectacular. The whole team really played in sync.”

Laguna Beach plays at St. Mary’s of Inglewood in the other semifinal.

In girls tennis, Corona del Mar, Sage Hill and Newport Harbor will learn today by coin flip where they will play at in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

CdM (21-0), the top seed in Division I, will face Harvard-Westlake. Sage Hill (21-1), the top seed in Division IV, will take on Walnut and Newport Harbor (13-5) will battle Santa Barbara in Division II.

The Corona del Mar, Estancia and Sage Hill boys and girls cross country teams, as well as the Newport Harbor girls will compete in the CIF Southern Section finals at Mt. San Antonio Saturday morning.

And, of course there’s football, where Corona del Mar will take on Estancia at Newport Harbor High, Friday night at 7, in the first round of the Southern Division playoffs.

Sage Hill also made the playoffs, and will travel to play Maranatha of Pasadena in the Northeast Division’s opening round.