Los Angeles Sparks Staff 2015 (L-R) Assistant Curt Miller, General Manager Penny Toler, Head Coach Brian Agler, Assistant Amber Stocks
Los Angeles, Ca -A new season filled with new faces and a new attitude to spark them to a great 2015 season. These New Los Angeles Sparks will be lead by new head coach Brian Agler who knows a lot about post season play. Agler’s team had been in the Conference Semifinals six of last seven years and winning it all 2010 when team swept the entire post season play.
Equitrust Life Insurance Company has partnered with the Sparks as the marquee sponsor for this 2015 season. “Our partnership with the Sparks will provide EquiTrust with an opportunity to support our communities through service, outreach and innovation,” stated Earvin ” Magic” Johnson.
Sparks New Additions Temeka Johnson #2, Erin Phillips #31, Marianna Tolo #14, & Jennifer Lacy #21
The Sparks media day was filled with a buzz in air, smiles and a group that had few practices under their belt a sense of team forming. The roster filled with a good balance of new and old was put together by current General Manager Penny Toler. Toler said, “Built team adding shooters to take little pressure of post.” This should allow returning All Star Nneka Ogwumike to have more one on one situations to dominate down low as teams will be forced to double less.
The potential backcourt could have the speedy Temeka Johnson and Erin Phillips at times which are two great additions. Phillips making a business decision by leaving Phoenix to make a move to take her career to the next level. At the very least they will provide veteran leadership along with the other vets on team that will need to mentor the seven rookies fast during training camp. The coach staff was pleased by all the rookies thus far and all showed that they were ready to work hard and learn from their coaches.
Sparks Young Guns Nikki Greene #54, Elina Babkina #17, & Jennifer Hamson #5
This training camp will have Agler and his staff with many combinations to see what’s going to work best for the season and post season play. “I want a team that plays solid full court defense, we must be able to play two speeds (fast transitions ball / post season half court offense). Playoff basketball slows down and don’t have a lot of transition baskets when game slows down and have to play your best offensive and defensive sets. This way of thinking along with a winning track record is why Toler picked Agler to run this roster.
The Sparks will open their regular season on the road at Seattle Storm on June 6th before returning for their Home opener Sunday June 14 at Staples. The scheduling gods always look to a method to their madness with Agler facing his old team for opening tip off.
“..and the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, for when we do not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words.”
Romans 8:26
Even when we don’t know what to pray, God is still moving. When we don’t have the strength to pray, God is strong on our behalf.
As believers, we will experience moments in this life that will leave us speechless….. yet there is help.
It is in those times that God says: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will come to your rescue.”
Keep trusting Him, He will carry you through.. HE will help you…
It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the
words that come out of your mouth.’
Matthew 15:11
Watch what you say. Think (a few times) before you open your mouth. Listen first, and then speak.
Don’t assume, and don’t speculate. Use your words to uplift another. As much as possible, be positive. Let your words encourage another’s life today.
Speak life over your OWN life today.. Speak life into your OWN situation..
You have the power to change the atmosphere around you with your words! Don’t wait for someone else to encourage you.. say what YOU need to say..
Don’t pass up the opportunity to speak into another person’s life today. Don’t be thrown off by their facial expressions or their body language.. The very ones that you think don’t need it, are usually the ones who need it the most!
Santa Monica, Ca – As Day three of the 2015 NFL Draft was well underway on May 2nd at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, Illinois, late in the 5th round, with the 169th pick of the draft, the Carolina Panthers selected a 6’2, 228 pound, linebacker with long blonde hair from Texas State. The Panthers drafted the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and finished second in the nation in combined tackles.
The Panthers not only selected a talented linebacker, they selected former Santa Monica College Corsairs football player, David Mayo. Mayo played only a single season in 2011 for the Corsairs after not receiving any offers out of high school.
“With David, we knew he was talented, but we see a lot of talented guys,” said SMC football head coach Gifford Lindheim. “What set him apart was his work ethic, determination, and confidence in himself. Texas State was the only Division 1 program that offered him a scholarship out of SMC.” Head coach Lindheim has been coaching talented players and helping them succeed here at Santa Monica College for the last six years. Lindheim has lead the Corsairs to four straight Conference Championship victories and 27 straight conference wins.
Coach G Lindheim and Players from 2014 Roster. Photo by Jevone Moore
“We have SMC players playing in colleges all over the country,” added Coach Lindheim.
Throughout the school’s history, the SMC football program has been no stranger for producing high level football players. The list of notable former Corsair football players includes the name of NFL Hall of Fame Cornerback, Jimmy Earl Johnson, as well as a trio of famous NFL wide receivers, Chad Ochocinco (formerly Chad Johnson), Steve Smith, Sr., and Isaac Bruce. Jimmy Johnson left Santa Monica College in 1958 to attend UCLA and later be drafted by the San Francisco 49ers where he played the entirety of his professional career. In recognition of the 5-time Pro Bowler, the 49ers eventually retired Jimmy Johnson’s number, 37. The next former NFL player to have worn the blue and white was wide receiver Isaac Bruce. Bruce transferred to the University of Memphis from SMC back in 1992. With the 33rd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 1994 NFL Draft, Isaac Bruce was drafted the Los Angeles Rams. Bruce was a 4-time Pro Bowler during his 16 year career in the NFL (14 for the Rams, 2 for the 49ers). In 2009, 17 years after leaving Santa Monica College, Isaac Bruce became only the second player in the history of the NFL to achieve over 15,000 receiving yards over the course of a career, second only to Jerry Rice at the time and is now fourth. Bruce wasn’t inducted into the Hall of Fame this last year on his first nomination; however, it is widely thought that one day he will take his place in the Hall. After Isaac Bruce graced the field for SMC, the next great Corsairs players came together almost as a pair. Though they came from different backgrounds, Steve Smith Sr. and Chad Johnson lined up as wide receivers for the Corsairs back in 1997. After the 1998 season, Steve Smith Sr. continued his football career at the University of Utah, while Chad Johnson had to wait till after the 2000 season to transfer Oregon State University. Though taking alternate paths, they both reached their ultimate goal in reaching the NFL when they both were drafted in the 2001 NFL Draft. Johnson went on to become a six-time Pro Bowler during his 10-year tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals and became a household name when he legally changed his name from Chad Johnson to Chad Ochocinco (his number was 85). Ochocinco finished his NFL career in 2011 after playing for the New England Patriots and is currently playing in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes. Smith, on the other hand, is about to start his second season with the Baltimore Ravens after playing 13 seasons with the same team that drafted David Mayo, the Carolina Panthers. Steve Smith is a five-time Pro Bowler and currently sits in 14th place on the NFL all-time receiving yards list, 10 spots behind Isaac Bruce. Lindheim knew Smith personally before ever becoming the head coach at SMC. “I coached Steve Smith in high school before he enrolled at SMC,” remarked coach Lindheim. “You never would have guessed that he was the guy who was going to be playing in the league at a high level for over 12 years.” The SMC football program has a few individuals to look out for in the years to come. From this last year’s team, star linebacker Paris Bostick, is planning on playing for the University of Oregon Ducks football program this upcoming season. Also, a pair of Corsairs, Dejuan Butler and Melvin Davis, are transferring to play for the University of Hawaii in 2015.
Melvin Davis Breaking away from Desert College Defense. Photo by Jevone Moore
Looking ahead to this next season, SMC will welcome former University of Washington quarterback and once highly recruited, #1 dual threat high school quarterback in the nation, Troy Williams. Williams should be under center, tossing the pigskin for the Corsairs this upcoming season. Coach Lindheim stressed not to put too much expectations on any current or former players because, as he puts it, “you never know who will be the next David Mayo.” – See more at: http://www.thecorsaironline.com/sports/2015/05/13/santa-monica-college-football-factory/#sthash.zj7oCwvm.dpuf
Much thanks to Author Josh Shure contributing article.
‘Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.’
Proverbs 21:5
Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart. Shortcuts may seem to get you to your destination faster, but may not profit you in the end…
Be more organized.. take time to plan.. Think things through..
It’s been said before: One who fails to plan, plans to fail.. Also, the only difference between the word ordinary and extraordinary is the word ‘extra’..
In order to have more that what you or others already have, you’ve got to do more than what you and others have been willing to do…
SC Davonte Stewart receives baton from Andre De Grasse just ahead of UCLA Joe Herrera
LOS ANGELES – In the most storied dual meet in track and field, UCLA ended up on the short end in a classic on Sunday at Loker Stadium. The men were edged by a single point, 82-81, while the women fell, 93-70. It was USC’s first sweep in the series since the 2010 season.
The UCLA men held an 81-77 lead going into the men’s 4x400m relay race, but the team of freshman Ricky Morgan, junior Just’N Thymes, the junior De Grasse and senior Davonte Stewart won with a time of 3:09.89 to secure the five points and give the Trojans the 82-81 win. The Bruins started off fast lead by Andre Chapman on opening leg who also grab few points earlier taking second place in men’s 400m hurdles. Then SC started gaining a lead in third leg before it was just too much for an anchor leg Darnell Roberson to overcome.
UCLA Andre Chapman showing great form in 400m Hurdles
Bruins showing their strength in the field. Sophomore Zaybree Haury led a UCLA sweep in the javelin with a throw of 154-7. Senior Tatum Souza followed in second at 143-2 while Moniques Van grabbed a point in third at 138-4. The men followed suit in the javelin as senior All-American Derek Eager launched a new season best. Eager won the event with a throw of 226-4 and was followed by senior All-American Marcus Nilsson (195-0) and freshman Robert Prata Jr. (184-9).
De Grasse set the Loker Stadium record when he won the men’s 100m dash with a wind-legal PR of 10.04 (+0.4) which also tied the meet record set by Ato Boldon of UCLA in 1996 and moved him into a second-place tie on USC’s all-time list. De Grasse beat the Loker Stadium record of 10.07 which was set by Aaron Brown on May 11, 2013. BeeJay Lee of SC a senior placed second in the 100m dash with a time of 10.17, while UCLA’s Leon Powell took third with a time of 10.38. Thymes placed fourth in the 100m with a time of 10.41, senior Bryan Mercado was fifth with a PR of 10.51 and freshman Adoree’ Jackson was sixth with a PR of 10.54. De Grasse now has the fastest wind-legal 100m and 200m (20.16) times this season by college runner.
Vanessa Jones
Kendall Ellis
Adoree’ Jackson
Emily Scharmann
Austin Hazel
Nicholas Scarvelis
Both teams today had great individual accomplishments for men and women all Sunday afternoon:
USC – Adoree’ Jackson won the men’s long jump with a wind-aided leap of 25-2.00/7.67m (+4.0w)
USC – Marquis Morris won 100m Hurdles with a wind-aided time of 13.80 (+3.5w)
USC – Randall Cunningham won the men’s high jump with a clearance of 7-2.50 (2.20m)
USC – Vanessa Jones won the 400m race with a time of 53.08
UCLA – Torie Owers won the women’s shot put with a mark of 53-7.50
UCLA – Jordan Senko won the men’s 3,000 steeple with a time of 9:17.91
UCLA – Nick Hartle defended his dual meet title in 800m with a time of 1:48.82
UCLA – Bronte Golick won the women’s 5,000m with a time of 17:00.11
Next up for all these great track athletes is Pac-12 Championships being held at Ucla Drake Stadium May 9,10 & 16, 17.
More Photos can be view at www.FullImage360.com Part I & Part II
Chris Paul game wining shot with 1.0 left on clock. Photo by Jevone Moore
Los Angeles, Ca- Los Angeles Clippers ensure the NBA will have new Reigning champion after 111-109 victory over San Antonio Spurs. This first round match up was one for the records books that took all seven games and last 8.8 seconds of fourth quarter. The series tied 3 game apiece, with the last tie 109 points before captain Chris Paul on strained hamstring dropped 9′ running bank shot to secure the victory.
Paul strained his hamstring in the first quarter, returned in the second quarter and finished with 27 points, six assists and will to win that spilled over to his whole team. Paul said, “We talked about if we get down into a last-second shot what we wanted to do,” & “We’ve been in that situation a lot of times already this year, and most of the time I hadn’t made it, to tell you the truth. We talked about it, and finally it worked when we needed it.” This series was little like a passing of the torch from Tim Duncan to Paul, one Wake Forest Alum to another.
The Clippers other All-Star Blake Griffin had 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for Los Angeles for his second triple-double of the series. In this game Griffin performance was very much need to help this group get past Champs. Duncan had 27 points, and 11 rebounds leading the Spurs who also had four others in double figures.
Duncan said Paul’s shot was “just unbelievable. I know he was playing a little hurt, and he played through all that, found ways to get it done. I mean, just an unbelievable last shot over two of us. He’s just a great leader, and it was amazing to watch. I wish I wasn’t on the other end.”
There was also an emotional push throughout the game by the way of Matt Barnes who finished with 17 points, 3 from behind the arc, 2 steals and 2 blocks with his great defense. This was a series that was all about basketball, Coach Doc Rivers echoed that, “…no flagrant foul…clean, solid, beautiful basketball by both teams.”
The Clippers earned their stripes in this game and are one step closer to ‘LARRY’. There will be a quick turnaround to start the second round verse Houston Rockets who have been waiting for the winner of this battle. The Clippers will probably sit Paul when the they take the court in Houston on Monday May 4th.
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul take a moment to enjoy round one series win. Photo by Jevone Moore
Game 1 Monday in Houston, Game 2 Wednesday May 6th in Houston, Game 3 Friday May 8th in Los Angeles, & Game 4 Sunday May 10th.
‘He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him..’
Proverbs 18:13
Learn to be good listener. Don’t just assume that you know. Try asking more questions and gathering more facts before commenting, or offering your advice on a matter.
You may feel that you’ve seen this a million times, and this is no different from the last time you heard something like this….
Remember that everyone’s situation is different, and many times there is much more to a story than the obvious..
Before jumping to conclusions and being so quick to offer your help and a solution, take a second to listen a little bit longer..
Los Angeles, Ca – HopSkipDrive is a safe, reliable way to get your kids to their activities. Started by three professional LA moms, HopSkipDrive arranges rides for your kids (age 7+) with experienced, fully-screened caregivers. Safety is built into every step. Each driver goes through a highly selective, 15-point certification process, you can track the ride in real-time through the app, and we watch every ride in progress, too! It’s a great way to simplify your life and let your kids participate in all the activities they want with less stress.Book a ride at www.hopskipdrive.com It’s a great option for morning school drop-offs or afternoon pick-up too.
Using HopSkipDrive is easy…
Schedule a Ride.
Get Kate to ballet this Wednesday at 4, or Caden to karate every Tuesday at 3. Use your dashboard to set up your kids’ rides. Include any special location information about things like school sign-out procedures, pickup lines, and parking challenges. Rides must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance so you can get information about your driver in plenty of time.
Meet your driver.
Virtually, that is. When you set up your ride, you will be matched with a driver. You will see their profile, picture and car information. Share this information with your child so they know who to expect. Also, if necessary, please provide your driver’s information for any required sign-out authorizations.
Track your child’s ride.
You can find the HopSkipDrive app in the iTunes app store. Be sure to download it to your phone so you can get real-time ride updates and track your child during the ride.
Enjoy peace of mind.
On the day of the ride you’ll get a reminder email with your driver’s profile and picture so you can show it to your child. At the time of the ride, the driver will arrive in an orange HopSkipDrive shirt, give your child their password and be on their way. You’ll be notified through the app and can track them in real time.
