LOS ANGELES, CA — Grab those pom poms and get ready! A new city means new faces for the Los Angeles Chargers cheerleaders.
On Saturday morning, at Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA was filled as it saw hundreds of participants from across the world who appeared for the Charger Girl open call auditions.
“A lot of girls go into the auditions not knowing what to expect or what the commitment is like,” said Lisa Simmons, the Charger Girls Director.
Many of the women gathered for the full day of events in hopes of joining the premiere dance team and making the Charger Girls roster. The audition process consists of choreography and dance routines performed by the Charger Girls, interview preparation, style guides and Q&A panels with current Charger Girls and the director.
ABC7’s sports reporter Ashley Brewer even took a chance on being a judge for the cheerleading tryouts. Other judges were industry professionals, Chargers executives and celebrities such as radio host personality Big Boy.
Since 1990, the Charger Girls have been a fixture on the sidelines rooting for the Chargers. From performing at all home games to appearing in annual swimsuit calendars and serving as ambassadors for the organization, they are regarded as one of professional sports most talented and respected cheer and dance teams.
Open Auditions at Pauley listening to Instruction. (Photo by Jaleesa Collins / fi360 News)
The team is looking for 28 beautiful and talented ladies to join their squad and represent the Los Angeles Chargers and their community. “We expect the complete package in a Charger girl. Not only for talent and performance, but to also represent the Chargers in the community,” said Simmons.
Final auditions will be held this week with the selection process culminating with final dance auditions on May 11. The final squad for the 2017 Chargers Girls will be announced on the team’s website on May 12th.
“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore a man cannot discover anything about his future.”
Ecclesiastes 7:14
Everything in your life happens for a God-given reason. Nothing is an accident, and the devil is NOT to be blamed!
God is in complete control of it ALL!
God has not looked the other way, or been caught by surprise when adversity strikes us.
He is in control of that adversity, directing it for His glory, and for our good! He allows it all!
Think about it, we often make our plans, but are forced somehow to change those plans.
We must always keep in mind: our ‘unexpected’ forced change of plans, is a part of His plan!
Take one day at a time, step by step, moving forward, and trusting Him!
Football is more than just a sport to those in the Magnolia State. Even though Mississippi lacks a professional sports team, being under recruited hasn’t kept the state from producing prospects as it is ranked among the top sixth in producing NFL talent this year.
Decades ago, the Southwestern Athletic Conference was known for producing the most professional football talent of any league. Now the Southeastern Conference holds this title as it an all-time favorite amongst conferences when it comes to college football.
Mississippi has seen great players at skilled positions leave the college ranks and go on to have successful careers. The state can argue that it has produced the best to ever play pro football – from Brett Favre and Walter Payton to players like Jerry Rice and Eli Manning.
While many focus on nationally ranked schools such as USC, Ohio State, and Florida, many assume that they produce the top NFL prospects and elite players to enter the draft. It is almost every player’s dream to play for D1 programs and compete for powerhouses such as Texas and Oklahoma, but only a small percentage actually remain competitive at such schools.
Not always the case, many small town schools have produced underrated prospects recruited by some of the best NFL teams to enter the league drafted or undrafted. Mississippi boasts some of the best individual talent to come from small schools such as Jackson State, Southern Miss, and Mississippi State.
Javancy Jones, Roderick Henderson, and D.J. Jones are some of the talent from this year’s draft class to be offered the opportunity to compete at the next level. Others who drew the attention of NFL teams were Fred Ross, Johnathan Calvin, and Justin Senior of Mississippi State. Names such as Nick Mullen, Daniel Ross, and Chris Lyles gained the interest of scouts as they were also given the chance to prove themselves to teams.
Like many players from small towns and even smaller schools, they all had one thing in common – to create their own exposure as they did not have the benefits of coming from powerhouse programs that produce household names annually.
Being told on multiple occasions that they couldn’t dominate or play at larger levels served as motivation for many of these players. Whether drafted or undrafted, they are in search of one goal: proving that they aren’t going to shy away from tougher competition.
Ole Miss’ D.J. Jones conducts drills during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Conroy/AP)
D.J. Jones is the biggest impact player from the state to be drafted. He was selected as the 198th overall pick in the sixth round by the 49ers. With his size and athleticism, it is expected for him to jump right into a starting role as an interior defensive lineman. Using his quickness against offenses grants him more space to create plays at the nose tackle position.
Graduating on Saturday and signing with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Javancy Jones is not taking his opportunity in the desert for granted as his goal is “to prove all the people who believed in him right.” He is known for his versatility and ability to play any position in the front seven due to his strength and speed. Looking to continue to improve his ability to cover, he expects to make the biggest contribution as a leader on special teams if not moved to the linebacker position.
The Tennessee Titans took a chance on Roderick Henderson by signing him as an undrafted free agent. Coming from a small school is the only underrated aspect of his game. With style of play comparisons to Vince Wilfork and Damon Harrison, he will be a crucial component on the defensive line once he learns to slow things down as his ability to take on double team blocks is a bonus.
Talented players throughout the state have also received offers and phone calls from teams inviting them to tryouts and training camps.
Former Co-Lin standout Demond Tucker was offered a rookie min-camp invite from the Pittsburg Steelers. Defensive tackle Daniel Ross of Northeast Mississippi signed as an undrafted free agent with the Texans. Ole Miss wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo was an UDFA who signed with Baltimore.
Undrafted free agents are picked every year, and adding inexpensive young talent after the draft has proven to be successful every year.
A list of players hailing from the state who signed with an NFL team is listed below: Justin Senior, Mississippi State – Seattle Seahawks Fred Ross, Mississippi State – Carolina Panthers Johnathan Calvin, Mississippi State – Greenbay Packers Nelson Adams, Mississippi State – Pittsburgh Steelers Richie Brown, Mississippi State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chris Lyles, Mississippi College – Indianapolis Colts Daniel Ross, Northeast Mississippi – Houston Texans Jason Carr, Northeast – Cincinnati Bengals Demond Tucker, Co-Lin/Iowa State – Pittsburgh Steelers Nick James, Ole Miss – Detroit Lions Tony Bridges, Ole Miss – Seattle Seahawks Damore’ea Stringfellow, Ole Miss – Miami Dolphins Quincy Adeboyejo, Ole Miss – Baltimore Ravens Chad Kelly, Ole Miss – Denver Broncos (253rd overall pick) Derrick Jones, Ole Miss – New York Jets (204th overall pick Evan Engram, Ole Miss – New York Giants (23rd overall pick) D.J. Jones, Ole Miss – San Francisco 49ers (198th overall pick) Jeremy Liggins, Ole Miss – Seattle Seahawks Fadol Brown, Ole Miss – Oakland Raiders Carlos Davis, Ole Miss – Baltimore Ravens Akeem Judd, Ole Miss – Tennessee Titans Dylan Bradley, Southern Miss – Minnesota Vikings Nick Mullen, Southern Miss – San Francisco 49ers Will Freeman, Southern Miss – Atlanta Falcons Cameron Tom, Southern Miss – New Orleans Saints Dan Williams, Jackson State – Oakland Raiders Cornelius Henderson, Jackson State – Kansas City Chiefs Roderick Henderson, Jackson State/Alabama State – Tennessee Titans Javancy Jones, Jackson State – Arizona Cardinals
Offensive linebacker Javancy Jones from Jackson State University.
Mississippi State’s wide receiver Fred Ross.
Former JSU Tiger and Alabama State’s defensive tackle Roderick Henderson.
Back in November, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal made a rare appearance at the McKale Center. His appearances could become a regular occurrence as his son, Shareef O’Neal, has committed to the Arizona Wildcats.
Although he isn’t as physically imposed as his father, Shareef has become in his own right a very respected player on the court. The style of play for the school’s basketball program is what piqued his interest.
Shareef O’Neal throwing down a dunk during the Crenshaw Cougars vs Crossroads Roadrunners Division II State Playoff game on March 08, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
According to 247Sports.com, the Santa Monica (CA) Crossroads product is listed as the No. 31 prospect in the 2018 recruiting class. The 6-foot-9, 210 pound forward averaged 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds last season for Crossroads High.
A four-star recruit, O’Neal unofficially visited Arizona on Nov. 18 with his father. He has received offers from schools such as UCLA, USC, Cal, Kansas and even his father’s alma mater, LSU.
Ira Lee postgame showing his allegiance after the Crenshaw Cougars vs Crossroads Roadrunners Division II State Playoff game on March 08, 2017 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
O’Neal’s teammate, Ira Lee, is a 2017 signee with Arizona, who many believes have been actively recruiting him. “The campus was great and the coaches treated us like family,” said O’Neal of his campus visit. “My teammate Ira Lee has been talking to me about the program.”
He will join five-star forward Emmanual Akot as the second member in the 2018 recruiting class for Arizona. His AAU teammate Bol Bol, the son of NBA giant Manute Bol, is the No. 16 player in his recruiting class and holds an offer from Arizona as well.
Arizona is well on its way to becoming the son-of-former-NBA-player university pretty soon.
NCAA 2017 UCLA vs USC Dual Meet at USC on April 30, 2017 at Loker Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
UCLA Darnell Roberson making up ground on third leg of Men’s 4×100 relay at the UCLA vs USC Dual Meet at USC on April 30, 2017 at Loker Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, CA – The crosstown rivals split the Track Meet at Loker Stadium with a anticlimactic finish with both men’s and women’s USC 4x400m relays teams running unopposed.
Those final results gave the USC women the 86-77 win and the Trojan men lost by a score of 88-75. This was the last dual meet before PAC-12 Championships in Oregon on May 13-14.
The fans did some great battles throughout the meet, with Dior Hall, Ky Westbrook, Destinee Brown and Deanna Hill who won the 4x100m with a season-best time of 43.84 to start off the track events.
UCLA Rai Benjamin coming off hurdle on turn to win first place 54.48 during the UCLA vs USC Dual Meet at USC on April 30, 2017 at Loker Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The men’s battle was tight call after USC Marquis Morris jumped out for quick lead on first leg but once hit third leg coming off the turn UCLA Darnell Roberson closed the gap. Then the footrace left USC with narrow victory for 5 points.
UCLA Junior Leon Powell let the Trojans know that they were here too as he stormed the 100m straightaway to victory and snapped a 14-year Trojan winning streak in the event. He posted a lifetime best of 10.26.
Alexander Barnum had a PR of 10.32 (+0.9) to take second and Christian Sourapas a PR of 10.37 (+0.9) to place third for USC right behind Powell. All three runners benefited from a tight competitive race.
UCLA took advantage of its depth and talent in the distance races to secure precious points for the men’s team.
USC Anna Cockrell attacking the hurdles at the UCLA vs USC Dual Meet where ran 12.91 PR for victory at USC on April 30, 2017 at Loker Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Anna Cockrell won the 110m women’s hurdles with a PR of 12.91 (+1.1) to lead a USC sweep in the event gaining big points.
USC’s women got another sweep in the 400m hurdles as Amalie Iuel won with a time of 55.62, Cockrell took second with a time of 55.86 and Mecca McGlaston took third with a time of 61.38, her first collegiate 400m hurdles race.
Senior Sage Stone led the way to a Bruin sweep in the men’s high jump with his clearance of 6-10.75 after the favorite USC 2016 NCAA defending champion Randall Cunningham was off his game.
UCLA Jessie Maduka went on to lead a sweep in the women’s triple jump with junior Efe Age (38-10.50) and sophomore Lilliana Hebert (38-04.25).
It was great for the fans to see both teams competing with great sportsmanship. Both teams excelling in their events with plenty of sweeps for both schools.
Now the next test will be how well can these team compete in Oregon on the road to the PAC-12 Title.
USC Inger Miller 1996 Gold Medalist was recognized during the UCLA vs USC Dual Meet at USC on April 30, 2017 at Loker Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NFL Bruins Carnell Lake, Roman Phifer, Ken Norton Jr. and Mike Sherrard back for UCLA PRO DAY on campus on March 21, 2017 in Westwood, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, Ca – The 2017 NFL Draft is upon us and who will be among the 253 players drafted over the next three days to be in the NFL? Somebody’s life will be changed and placed on a whole new trajectory after their card is read.
“Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude” – Lou Holtz
In Los Angeles there are two major football programs UCLA and USC that every year have NFL talent looking to continue the game on the gridiron. Both schools have a rich tradition of great players moving on to the next level.
Adoree’ Jackson
JuJu Smith-Schuster ——– Photos by Jordon Kelly
Zach Banner
Which school will have a player picked first, will it be UCLA Defensive End Takkarist McKinley or USC Defensive Back Adoree’ Jackson.
Can you image if you were in Philadelphia in the 2017 NFL Draft green room waiting for your phone to ring and hear the words welcome to the – – – – – -! Then you are rushed with emotions.
UCLA Safety Randall Goforth with scouts hawking. (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)
All the hard work from Pop Warner Football, to High School, and picking the right school to showcase your talent. All across america the world will be watching who will get the opportunity to be the next star.
After the draft is over there will be a second chance lottery to sign as a free agent to make a team camp roster. But before the season starts all 32 teams will trim the fat and have 53 man roster with 10 practice players.
Who will be the 2,016 NFL players to start the 2017 season? It most definitely can be you!
Nov 9: Chargers receiver (11) Steve Johnson stiff arming Bears defender during the Chicago Bears vs San Diego Chargers (Photo by Jordon Kelly)
The Los Angeles Chargers will celebrate day three of the 2017 NFL Draft (Rounds 4-7) at DraftFest 2017 at StubHub Center on Saturday, April 29. DraftFest is open to the public, and parking and admission are free. Gates open at 8 a.m., and the party will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chargers will also celebrate Carson Community Day with Carson Mayor Albert Robles, Carson community leaders and Carson residents joining the festivities.
Fans attending DraftFest should park in Lots 10, 11 and 12.
DraftFest will mark the first official public appearance for the Chargers’ first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. A long list of current and former Chargers players will also be in attendance, signing autographs, taking pictures and mingling with fans. The list of current Chargers confirmed to attend includes six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers; tight end Hunter Henry, who led the team and all NFL tight ends in 2016 in touchdown catches; running back Branden Oliver, fullback Derek Watt, cornerback Craig Mager and safety Adrian Phillips. Chargers alums slated to attend include five-time Pro Bowl wide receiverAnthony Miller and three-time Pro Bowl special teams standout Kassim Osgood.
There will be plenty to do for fans of all ages. Live NFL Draft coverage will be broadcast on screens throughout the venue, including the large video board inside StubHub Center, and Rivers will announce the Chargers’ fourth-round draft selection live from the stage at DraftFest. Former Chargers safety Jim Hill will serve as emcee.
While Saturday’s draft festivities are taking place, youngsters in attendance will enjoy a host of interactive NFL Play60 games suitable for kids of all ages. The Chargers will also have several locations set up where fans can shop for exciting new L.A. Chargers apparel.
Fans should also bring their appetite to DraftFest as StubHub Center’s concessionaire, Levy Foods, will offer discounted fare to Chargers fans in attendance.
The 2017 NFL Draft is headquartered in Philadelphia and begins with Round 1 on Thursday, April 27. Rounds 2-3 are set for Friday, April 28 and Rounds 4-7 will commence Saturday, April 29. The Chargers have a total of seven picks in the 2017 NFL Draft with one selection in each round, including the seventh overall pick in the first round.
Download the Chargers App and be sure to follow all the Los Angeles Chargers’ social media platforms and Chargers.com to stay up-to-date on all things related to the 2017 Chargers Draft.
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Clippers organization has announced today that power forward Blake Griffin will miss the remainder of the postseason due to a plantar plate injury in the big toe of his right foot.
On Friday, Griffin suffered a toe injury after landing awkwardly following a transition layup during Game 3 of the first round playoff series against the Utah Jazz. With 3:18 left during the first half on Friday, he went to the sideline, slapped a chair on the bench and yelled, “It is worse than I thought,” before exiting the court and heading to the locker room.
Griffin did not return to the game. He finished the game with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists in just 18 minutes of play.
The X-ray results came out negative, but Griffin was re-evaluated after the game. Surgery is a possibility for Griffin, who will remain in Salt Lake City while wearing a walking boot. The five-time NBA All-Star forward will visit a foot and ankle specialist Dr. Richard Ferkel for rehabilitation and treatment once the Clippers return to Los Angeles on Sunday.
Griffin has been plagued by injuries throughout the majority of his career, including last year’s playoffs when he suffered a quad injury in Game 4 of the first round series against Portland. Not returning to play, the Clippers were eventually eliminated in six games.
His injury marks another playoff blow to a franchise that has dealt with a series of bad luck in the recent years. Last year, Griffin and Paul were both lost to injuries as the Clippers blew a 3-1 series lead against Houston in 2015. In 2013, the Clippers were up 2-0 before losing to Memphis in six games after Griffin stepped on teammate Lamar Odom and injured his ankle.
At the heights of his career, Griffin missed 18 straight games earlier this season after undergoing surgery on his right knee. He led the Clippers in scoring and rebounding this season averaging 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists.
With the entire team healthy, the Clippers had hopes of challenging Golden State in the second round of this year’s playoffs. Those hopes took a major hit with Griffin unable to play.
Now with Blake’s absence, the Clippers again will be tasked with winning in the postseason without him. With a 2-1 series lead, the Clippers should be fine without Griffin as the Jazz are somewhat in a similar situation without their star player Rudy Gobert.
Chris Paul said Saturday, “We’ll worry about the game when its that time, but right now its about consoling one of the leaders of our team who this means more to him than anything.” Paul led the Clippers back from a second-half deficit with a fourth-quarter takeover. The Clippers star point guard finished with a season-high 34 points, leading the Clippers to a 111-106 victory over Utah giving them a 2-1 lead in the series.
Clippers Coach Doc Rivers stated, “He’s too good of a guy for this to continue to happen. There’s going to be some kind of sunshine for him at some point. You’ve just got to weather the storm.”
The Jazz will host the Clippers for Game 4 on Sunday, April 23rd.
NFL Preseason Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams 2nf Half action at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on August 13 , 2016. (Photographer Jevone Moore)
Apr 10, 2017
2017 Preseason Schedule Announced
2017 PRESEASON SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
The NFL has finalized its 65-game 2017 preseason schedule, which includes a slate of eight nationally televised preseason games, the league announced today.
The 2017 preseason will kick off on Thursday, August 3 (NBC, 8:00 PM ET) in Canton, Ohio when the Dallas Cowboys face the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL/Hall of Fame Game.
Following is the complete 2017 NFL preseason national television, week-by-week and team-by-team schedule:
2017 NFL PRESEASON NATIONAL TELEVISION SCHEDULE
(All times Eastern)
DATE
GAME
NETWORK (TIME)
Thursday, August 3
NFL/Hall of Fame Game, Canton, OH:
Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
NBC (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 2 (August 17-21)
Thursday, August 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars
ESPN (8:00 PM)
Monday, August 21
New York Giants at Cleveland Browns
ESPN (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 3 (August 24-27)
Friday, August 25
Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks
CBS (8:00 PM)
Saturday, August 26
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams
CBS (8:00 PM)
Sunday, August 27
Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans
FOX (1:00 PM)
Sunday, August 27
Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Redskins
FOX (4:30 PM)
Sunday, August 27
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
NBC (8:00 PM)
2017 PRESEASON WEEK-BY-WEEK SCHEDULE
NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – AUGUST 3
Dallas vs. Arizona (NBC, 8/3)
WEEK 1 – AUGUST 10-14
Atlanta at Miami
Dallas at LA Rams
Denver at Chicago
Detroit at Indianapolis
Houston at Carolina
Jacksonville at New England
Minnesota at Buffalo
New Orleans at Cleveland
Oakland at Arizona
Philadelphia at Green Bay
Pittsburgh at NY Giants
San Francisco at Kansas City
Seattle at LA Chargers
Tampa Bay at Cincinnati
Tennessee at NY Jets
Washington at Baltimore
WEEK 2 – AUGUST 17-21
Atlanta at Pittsburgh
Baltimore at Miami
Buffalo at Philadelphia
Carolina at Tennessee
Chicago at Arizona
Denver at San Francisco
Green Bay at Washington
Indianapolis at Dallas
Kansas City at Cincinnati
LA Rams at Oakland
Minnesota at Seattle
New England at Houston
New Orleans at LA Chargers
NY Giants at Cleveland (ESPN, 8/21)
NY Jets at Detroit
Tampa Bay at Jacksonville (ESPN, 8/17)
WEEK 3 – AUGUST 24-27
Arizona at Atlanta
Buffalo at Baltimore
Carolina at Jacksonville
Chicago at Tennessee (FOX, 8/27)
Cincinnati at Washington (FOX, 8/27)
Cleveland at Tampa Bay
Green Bay at Denver
Houston at New Orleans
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh
Kansas City at Seattle (CBS, 8/25)
LA Chargers at LA Rams (CBS, 8/26)
Miami at Philadelphia
New England at Detroit
NY Jets at NY Giants
Oakland at Dallas
San Francisco at Minnesota (NBC, 8/27)
WEEK 4 – AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 1
Arizona at Denver
Baltimore at New Orleans
Cincinnati at Indianapolis
Cleveland at Chicago
Dallas at Houston
Detroit at Buffalo
Jacksonville at Atlanta
LA Chargers at San Francisco
LA Rams at Green Bay
Miami at Minnesota
NY Giants at New England
Philadelphia at NY Jets
Pittsburgh at Carolina
Seattle at Oakland
Tennessee at Kansas City
Washington at Tampa Bay
LA Chargers
P1 Seattle, P2 Saints, P3 @Rams, P4 @49ers
Los Angeles Rams
P1 Dallas, P2 @Oakland, P3 LA Chargers, P4 @Green Bay *NFL/Hall of Fame Game, Canton, OH
CIFSS High School Semi Finals State Chino Hills vs Bishop Montgomery on March 14, at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Bishop Montgomery Ethan Thompson driving on L. Ball during the CIFSS High School Semi Finals State Chino Hills vs Bishop Montgomery game on March 14, at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. (Photo by Ken Brooks / fi360 News)
The Bishop Montgomery Knights were able to slow down the offensive onslaught of the Chino Hills Huskies as they won 87-80 in a game held at El Camino College. LaMelo Ball finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists while LiAngelo Ball dropped 25 for Chino. Ethan Thompson had 23 points and 10 rebounds while David Singleton had 25.
The game started fast for the Knights after a delay because of shot clock malfunctions. They jumped out to a 17-6 lead and forced the Huskies to call a timeout. Thompson and Fletcher Tynen scored some easy baskets off penetration. Chino would answer the bell with an 18-6 run to make it 24-23. LiAngelo had it going as he hit a crazy windmill layup and knocked down a fade away three-pointer off the glass.
LiAngelo Ball shooting from deep during the Semi Finals State Chino Hills vs Bishop Montgomery on March 14, at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Both teams got cold in the second quarter and this was a point where the Knights established a slow pace, which frustrated Chino. Bishop only scored 13 points in the quarter as there was a lid on their end, but the slow pace benefitted them. At the half, Chino led with the scoreboard showing 40-39. Scott and LiAngelo combined for 29 for Chino as Thompson paced Bishop with 10.
The intensity of the game picked up in the second half as both teams knew they had a shot at advancing. LaMelo and Gianni Hunt we’re going back and forth exchanging words as neither of them was willing to back down. Both coaches barked their orders to their players more often and the fans from Bishop were going wild. LaMelo hit tough shots including a deadly three where he took some time to marvel at his work as he held his form. It felt as though the Huskies would take momentum, but the Knights finished the quarter strong and led 60-55.
Elizjah Scott driving to the basket during the Chino Hills vs Bishop Montgomery on March 14, at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The pace picked up in the fourth as Chino played with a sense of urgency. Elizjah Scott hit the glass hard and found easy buckets for Chino. He finished with 24 points and 19 rebounds! Singleton and Thompson would not be denied as they were as cool as cucumbers all night finishing around the rack. Their point guard, Hunt, set them up nicely with good passes and he made sure LaMelo had a bad night shooting. He embraced the big time matchup and scored 14 himself. He talked about going against LaMelo. Most notably, he recognized LaMelo is a top prospect in the 2019 class, but he believes he is on his level.
“I like that, I like the competitive nature it’s what gets me going. That just added more fuel to the fire and more motivation,” stated Hunt.
The final horn blew and Bishop celebrated their victory. After losing both contests last year to Chino, they were able to win and advance to the semi-finals of state to play Mater Dei. They got a great lift off the bench from super-sub Josh Vazquez. Coach Doug Mitchell talked about his performance.
“He was really calm under pressure. He gave us good minutes,” said the Knights coach. “I thought a lot of people wouldn’t notice that, but I thought he gave us really good minutes tonight.”
LiAngelo Ball being guard tightly by Ethan Thompson in the second half of the Chino Hills vs Bishop Montgomery on March 14, at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. (Photo by Ken Brooks/fi360 News)
This Knights team was really focused and made sure they honed in on the fine details to beat the Huskies who play a fast pace. Chino had scored 130 in their last game and Bishop held them to 80 by making sure they got back on defense and kept fresh bodies on the court to thwart the Ball brothers. The Knights were hyped after a big win, but Thompson noted that after tonight they will shift their attention to the next game.
Ethan Thompson going strong to the basket for Bishop during the Chino Hills vs Bishop Montgomery on March 14, at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The game against Mater Dei will be a rematch for Bishop as the Knights beat the Monarchs in the CIF Finals just a few weeks ago. Only this time, a spot in the California State Finals is on the line.
On Saturday morning, at Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA was filled as it saw hundreds of participants from across the world who appeared for the Charger Girl open call auditions.
on the bench and yelled, “It is worse than I thought,” before exiting the court
