Billy the Kid had a pretty good shot that killed 21 people.
Today, Brett “The Kid” Ormsby is also shooting, but not
killing anyone. Instead, he is racking up goals in the pool.
Men’s water polo requires a driver that will shoot the
lights out. Bruin sophomore Ormsby is the right guy for the
job.
“His shot is deadly because of its accuracy and
heat,” assistant coach Matt Armato said. “It has
allowed him to become an assassin.”
Ormsby has tallied nine goals this season, and even though that
seems minor, it is enough to lead the team.
And the Bruins can agree that he shoots like no other player. He
has been working on his shot for several years now, and there are
no secrets that make him the team’s best scorer.
Ormsby’s shot relies on incredible leg strength, a light
body frame, as well as balance in the pool. He can lift himself
high enough to fake out his enemies. His talent is solid and his
mechanics are proper, making him a natural.
“When Brett gets the ball, I’m usually swimming back
because I know it’s going in the goal,” junior driver
Albert Garcia said.
“I’m confident in him and I’m probably going
to give it to him 10 out of 10 times. He’s lucky to have that
kind of shot.”
And the team finds him a lot. Ormsby is on pace to attempt 120
shots this season, but while UCLA puts confidence in their go-to
guy, he still cannot make everything.
After scoring a team-high 43 goals last season, opponents have
finally caught up with him.
“This year is a lot more difficult for me,” Ormsby
said.
“Teams are gunning to stop me, and taking away those easy
opportunities I used to get last year. But I’m taking it all
as a challenge, and I’m going to create more for my
team.”
He is currently shooting 26 percent ““ a subpar number
compared to his 36 percent last year.
His shots appear to have turned sour, but Ormsby is not pointing
fingers.
He can blame his hip/back injury suffered this past year, which
has forced him to take time off. But he will not use that
excuse.
Rather, everyone knows it is opposing defenses.
“He had a break-out year and surprised a lot of
people,” senior two-meterman Dan Yielding said. “But
now he has to become a team player.”
In order to create more and contribute, Ormsby has to focus less
on his shot and become a leader for a team that has many other
offensive options.
When Ormsby is doubled up, his teammates make shots.
Centers Michael March and Ted Peck have proven this by each
scoring four goals in a game.
The team can only help Ormsby, but it will not be easy.
“It’s hard creating things and manufacturing goals
in other ways,” he said.
In high school, Ormsby scored over 400 goals. He also plays for
the U.S. National men’s water polo team.
Both of these feats were achieved by his shot, but he still has
other artillery.
“Last year it was left up to me to shoot the ball when the
shot clock was going down, or when nothing was going right, but
things are definitely going to change,” he said.
“My shots aren’t working as well as they should, but
I’ll turn it around.”
And when he focuses on defense as well as offense, shots will
come and goals will increase.
It is just a matter of time, before his percentage rises and his
goals resemble last year’s success.
“He’s kind of a “˜Jordan-esque’ player in
that he can take off from the free throw line,” senior
two-meterman Matt Flesher said of Ormsby’s strength and
determination. “He gets fouled hard too, but he’s
coming around as a leader. He’s a quiet guy, but he leads by
actions.”