Washington coaches share the victory after the Las Vegas Bowl 2019 Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies on Sat December 21, 2019. (Photo by Jerry Kelly)
PAC-12 Preview Part I
Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies cracked this year top 25 poll at No. 22 in the Nation while projected to finish as No 2 team in the North Division of the PAC-12.
Running back Sean McGrew running for the Washington Huskies in Eugene, OR (Photo by Ben Ludeman / fi360 News).
This will be the first full season if all things go as planned for head coach Jimmy Lake the teams former defensive coordinator two seasons ago. During 2020 covid season Lake went 3-1.
With 15 returning starters on offense and defense combined this team is in position to compete for a PAC-12 Championship. Dylan Mooris will be at the helm playing quarterback after starting last season. The redshirt sophomore Morris will help provide a balance attack with running back Richard Newton who will see the football a ton.
The defense with four of its front seven returners back led by tackle Sam Taimani (Jr) and Tuli Letuligasenoa who was hurt last season but was a starter before so they will be strong upfront.
The team biggest standouts will be tight-end Cade Otton at 6’5 and new comer transfer from Oklahoma Brendan Radley-Hiles in the secondary to bring havoc as a ball hawk and extra run stopper.
The Huskies get an early check up facing Michigan in the Big House for their second game of the season.
Prediction 9-3
Washington State mascot AKA Butch (Photo by Ben Ludeman).
Washington State Cougars
Who are the new look Cougars led by Nick Rolovich as the new head coach following up his 1-3 covid season restart. Battling in the top heavy Northern division they will need to win first two non conference games to gain momentum.
The offense returns eight starters with six being seniors led by running back Max Borghi. The new run and shoot offense should allow for some open running lanes and quick passes that will help Jayden de Laura if he can keep his starting quarterback spot.
The defense will be building from scratch even with seven returning starters in the new scheme the safety position will be key to keeping them in games with the pass happy PAC-12 teams looking to strike fast. The pair of senior linebackers Jahad Woods and Justin Rogers will provide toughness and leadership on the field.
December 6, 2020 Washington State Cougars vs USC Trojans Photo Credit: Jose / MarinMedia.org
Big games that can boost their resume will be getting a win against USC in Pullman on September 18. They always play the Trojans tuff at home and having some home cooking in the middle of the season as they face Oregon State, Stanford and BYU.
They Cougars have big test on the road with games at ASU, Oregon and at Washington for the Apple Cup!.
LAS VEGAS, NV - July 14: The WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
Las Vegas, NV – It was a night to remember under the stars as the WNBA’s 17th All-Star Game took place on Wednesday afternoon. The league’s top talent squared off against each other between the WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. It was competitive from the opening tip, but Team WNBA came out on top to win 93-85 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Team WNBA’s Arike Ogunbowale balled out and took home the coveted MVP Award dropping 26 points. She went 10/18 from the floor and 5/10 from 3-point range in her first All-Star appearance.
Arike Ogunbowale drives to the basket during the WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
“It’s dope. I mean I scored a little bit early and then teammates like them [Jonquel Jones and Satou Sabally] you know nobody is selfish on this team. They are going to feed whoever is hot,” said Ogunbowale.
Candace Parker (6th All-Star selection) commented on her All-Star teammate Ogunbowale winning the award as a first time All-Star.
“I mean Arike, we play against Dallas all the time. We know there’s a heavy dose of Arike Ogunbowale. So, when she’s got it going, just keep feeding her. And that’s what it was. This is her first All-Star’s. This is her element.”
Candace Parker during the WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
Team WNBA led by one point 44-43 going into halftime, and it was a close game from beginning to end.
During the halftime show, Chicago Sky’s Allie Quigley won her third career 3-point contest with 28 points. She is the third player in NBA/ WNBA history to win the contest three times.
“It’s definitely not easy,” said Quigley. “It’s stressful actually. A little nerve racking, but I think you just kind of got to get into a rhythm. Be confident, try to relax as much as you can. Team WNBA had my back, so it just felt cool to be out there.”
Upon accepting her trophy, Quigley told the crowd that this would be her last time participating in the contest.
Allie Quigley during the WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
The crowd booed her in disappointment.
After the game Quigley stuck by her statement.
“I told myself before this. I’m like this is the last time that I’m doing this. So, I got to go out on top.”
As part of the league’s 25th season celebrations, the WNBA honored the gold-medal winning 1996 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team with a special presentation going into the fourth quarter.
Current Olympic players paid homage and gave the 1996 Olympic team their flowers. Bouquets of roses to be exact.
Team WNBA starters included DeWanna Bonner, Jonquel Jones, Candace Parker, Arike Ogunbowale, and Courtney Vandersloot.
LAS VEGAS, NV – July 14: The WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
USA Women’s starters were Sue Bird, Brittney Griner, Jewell Lloyd, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson.
WNBA Legends Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson served as Co-Head Coaches of Team WNBA.
The USA Women’s National Team was under the direction of Head Coach Dawn Staley, herself a member of the WNBA’s All-Decade Team.
LAS VEGAS, NV – July 14: The WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
Team USA’s Diana Taurasi did not play as she is still nursing a hip injury. Her goal is to be ready for the Olympics in Tokyo.
Team WNBA’s Liz Cambage also did not play, but enjoyed the show cheering from the sideline.
The WNBA will resume the second half of their season following the Tokyo Olympics on August 15.
LAS VEGAS, NV – July 14: The WNBA All-Stars versus the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
The Minnesota Lynx vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
Los Angeles, CA – A very familiar third quarter push took place for the LA Sparks (6-13) as they battled against the Minnesota Lynx (12-7) on Sunday evening. A driving finger roll layup by Brittney Sykes cut the lead to six. Despite the effort, Minnesota’s offensive efficiency propelled them to close out the first half of the season with a 86-61 win going into the Olympic break.
Nearly everything was falling for the Lynx.
In the first quarter alone, the Lynx went 80% from both the field and beyond the arc. They finished 55.9% from the field and 47.4% from 3-point range.
The Minnesota Lynx vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier led all players with a season-high 27 points (tying her career-high in a single game) and 7 rebounds.
All was well on the offensive front for the Lynx, but the same could not be said about the LA Sparks.
LA Sparks were visibly frustrated and had numerous missed layups.
Defensively, the LA Sparks forced 18 turnovers and scored 13 points off those turnovers.
“The one thing you can’t question is our effort,” said Erica Wheeler. “We’re down bodies and we’re still trying to get it done. We’re still turning teams over and we’re still getting more shots. It’s just more so us being down bodies and just not making shots and just finishing plays that’s kind of easy. So just going into this break, I think that it came at the perfect time. We all need it. But just when we come back and get back in the gym, we should have everybody back and healthy. We’re probably the best defensive team, it’s more so offense for us.”
The Minnesota Lynx vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
Wheeler was the spark plug driving her team to get back in the game. She was aggressive down the lane and hustled on defense.
With 1.7 seconds left in the second quarter, Sykes hit a buzzer beater to cut the lead to twelve, 43-31.
The LA Sparks came out with a different intensity in the third quarter.
“We’re going to keep getting better and keep doing the work,” said head coach Derek Fisher, “I think grit is something that we’re starting to form as a team. I think every player that’s here has it, or they wouldn’t be here. But there’s a team level of grit that we have to develop and keep working on and I think we started scratching the surface on those things during this period.”
Throughout the second half, the Lynx continued to extend their lead. Their largest lead of the game was 28 points.
The Lynx held the Sparks to just 61 points, the fewest an opponent has scored against them all season.
“We’ll get back to work individually and collectively. To be prepared to start this season back again in mid-August and look at it as a new opportunity to come out and play one game at a time and give ourselves a chance to win every night and then go from there,” said Fisher.
Lauren Cox corralled a career-high 8 rebounds in a career-high 23 minutes.
Amanda Zahui B. was awarded the May WNBA Cares Community Assist Award.
The Minnesota Lynx vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brianne Ingram)
Head coach Fisher shared his plans for the season hiatus.
“For the next month, I’ll be taking some time as well. Just to reflect and think about our team in terms of how as a staff we can help our group to get better. And then just start to plan for what we want things to look like as players start to return to LA.”
Following the Olympic break, The LA Sparks return to their home floor at the Staples Center where they will face off against the Indiana Fever on August 15, at 6 p.m.
Colorado Brady Russell (38) celebrating touchdown in second quarter during the Arizona Wildcats vs Colorado Buffaloes game at Folsom Field on Saturday October 5, 2019. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
Boulder, CU – The University of Colorado has added four football opponents – for a total of seven games – to its future football schedules, athletic director Rick George announced Thursday.
Wyoming fills a vacancy in 2025 that was created when a previously scheduled game against Missouri was moved to 2031, as the Tigers needed dates to rekindle their rivalry with Kansas. The Cowboys will visit Boulder on Saturday, Sept. 20 that season, the final non-conference game after CU hosts Georgia Tech on Aug. 30 and travels to play the University of Houston on Sept. 6. The schools have met just six times since 1947, when they were both members of the Mountain States Conference, and not since 2009; CU leads the series by a 24-2-1 count.
Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen (17) directing traffic before the pass during the Poinsettia Bowl: BYU Cougars vs Wyoming Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium on December 21, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News)
Next up is a home-and-home with Southern Methodist, as the Mustangs will visit Boulder on Aug. 31, 2030, with CU returning the game on Sept. 6, 2031 in Dallas. The two schools, though just under 700 miles apart, will be meeting for the first time on the gridiron. The former will be the 2030 season opener, with the latter the second week of the 2031 campaign, following Missouri visiting Folsom Field the previous Saturday.
Temple Owls vs SMU Mustangs game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Tx on October 19, 2019 (Ari Talton / fi360 News)
Another home-and-home series with a state of Texas school follows, both season openers in the 2032 and 2033 seasons. North Texas will play in Boulder on Sept. 4, 2032, with the Buffaloes returning the game on Sept. 3, 2033 in Denton, which is about 20 miles northwest of Dallas. The two have met one previous time, when CU defeated the Mean Green, 52-21, in 2004 in Boulder. CU is the latest Power 5 opponent UNT has scheduled into home-and-homes, as they have agreements with Baylor, Missouri and Texas Tech on the books.
The final two-game future series completed at this time is with longtime rival Oklahoma State from CU’s days in the Big Eight and Big 12. The Buffaloes will play in Stillwater for the first time since 2009 when they visit on Sept. 13, 2036, with the Cowboys visiting Boulder for the first time since 2008 when they travel her on Sept. 12, 2037. The two last met in the 2016 Alamo Bowl, with OSU coming away with a 38-8 victory; Colorado still leads the series, 26-20-1.
Colorado State vs Colorado football Rocky Mountain Showdown on Friday August 30, 2019. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
With the Buffaloes annually recruiting in Texas, George and head coach Karl Dorrell both felt it was important to have more of a presence in the state when it came to scheduling games. School officials are exploring other future games in the state and region. The Buffaloes already had trips to TCU (in 2023) and the aforementioned to Houston (in 2025) on their future gridiron schedules.
Season tickets for the 2021 season are currently on sale, as are tickets for the Texas A&M game in Denver (the latter through Ticketmaster here). Mini-plan packages are also on available, and single game tickets for the six home football games at Folsom Field are now available for purchase. More information on purchasing football tickets can be found here.
Breanna Stewart shooting over Stephanie Mavunga Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on July 24, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Los Angeles, CA – After being down 17 points in the second quarter, the LA Sparks (6-12) came roaring back late in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Storm (15-4). LA made a relentless run to chop their 17-point deficit down to a 1-point game, 60-61, with 2:00 left. But, it was to no avail as the Storm handed the Sparks their fifth straight loss, 71-62, Wednesday night in Seattle.
Another fourth quarter comeback by the Sparks made it a tight game down the stretch.
2019 WNBA MVP and Seattle star Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Stewart came up clutch when her team needed her most.
Erica Wheeler (Photo by Jevone Moore)
At the 3:30 mark in the fourth quarter, the UConn product snatched a rebound out of the air and made a monster put back to give the Storm a 5-point lead, 59-54.
Rookie guard Arella Guirantes pulled the trigger to make it a 1-point game, 60-61, with 2:00 left.
The LA Sparks had a pulse, but not for long.
Stewart put the Storm on her back and took over the game. She hit a huge three to put her team up by seven with 1:00 left, 69-62.
That was the dagger.
“Breanna Stewart can’t be stopped,” said Erica Wheeler. “A player like that you contain. She’s going to make some tough shots because that’s who she is. Of course, she came in clutch tonight. But that’s expected. We knew the ball was going to go in her hands. We just got to do a better job on the defensive side.”
Wheeler led all Spark scorers with 22 points, 3 assists, and was the only Spark to score in double figures.
The Storm came out firing from the jump.
A 19-4 run by the Storm put them up, 23-9, over the Sparks at the end of the opening quarter.
The Las Vegas Aces vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
The Sparks have been struggling offensively as they are still battling injuries from key players Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, and Kristi Toliver. The Sparks are also missing Jasmine Walker, Maria Vadeeva, and Gabby Williams.
On the defensive end, the Sparks held the Storm to 71 points on 37.7% from the field. For the season, the Storm are averaging 88.1 points on 46.4% shooting.
Head Coach Derek Fisher commented on what he has learned from falling short of his team’s recent comebacks.
“I think we’re just learning how to compete. Those are things that you can’t really learn without the experience of going through it. It’s all happening in progress. Our record says one thing, but we’re proud of what this team is becoming,” said Fisher.
He added, “Whether we win or lose the games, you always have to move on to the next one. We’re not really defining ourselves by that at this time. We’re trying to continue to grow into who we are. At the same time, we’re not accepting the fact that we lost another game. It’s just temporary. This is not our final destination, so we still feel good about where we’re going.”
Guirantes tied her career high with 21 minutes and scored 6 points and 2 steals. She hit a couple of key shots that kept the Sparks in the game, and also made her presence known on the defensive end.
“I’m the person who likes to rise to occasions. I’m not really afraid of moments because I put the work in, and that shows when you need it the most. I think it showed up in certain basketball IQ plays. That’s where I was really most proud of because I showed a lot more than needing to have the ball in my hands all the time,” said Guirantes.
Nia Coffey (500) and Amanda Zahui B. (1000) both hit career milestones in field goal attempts.
The Las Vegas Aces vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
The LA Sparks travel back home to take on the Minnesota Lynx for their last game before the Olympic break on Sunday, July 11 at 6 p.m.
This will also be their last game at the Convention Center before returning to their home floor at the Staples Center in August.
Breanna Stewart making a move during the Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on July 24, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Los Angeles, CA- In their first meeting of the season, the LA Sparks (6-11) suffered a tough loss against the Seattle Storm (14-4) in the WNBA’s Independence Day game on Sunday evening. The past few games, the Sparks have played the top two teams in the league, namely the Las Vegas Aces and the Seattle Storm. The Storm and the Aces are both tied for the best record in the WNBA (14-4). The Sparks are currently in the midst of a four game losing streak. In the last game against the Aces, the Sparks showed flashes of a comeback in the second half, and the same can be said against the Storm. A momentum swing played in the Sparks favor in the third quarter, but the Storm were able to regain the advantage and executed down the stretch to win 84-74 in Los Angeles.
Everything went the Sparks way in the third quarter.
Defensive specialist Brittney Sykes led LA in rattling the Storm’s offense.
The LA Sparks forced 12 turnovers and converted 14 points off those turnovers.
The Las Vegas Aces vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Sykes recorded her first double-double of the season and third of her career with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
Erica Wheeler also scored 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
The Sparks were starting to convert on the offensive end. Fueled by a 14-6 run, the Sparks took a 58-56 lead going into the fourth quarter.
However, this would not last long as fatigue began to set in for the Sparks in the final period.
“Because we are down people, exertion of energy is a little bit different. Fatigue sets in but we are more than capable of fighting through it. It’s a part of the game. It’s just a matter of what we do when we are in those moments,” said Sykes.
LA could not contain the Storm around the rim as the Storm scored 36 points in the paint.
The Sparks also neglected to cover the perimeter as the Storm shot 46.9% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
“As you know we are down bodies. It’s very hard to sustain it. I think we just got a little tired and lost a little bit of focus. Seattle is Seattle. They are going to stay the same and they made shots. They made a lot of tough shots and that’s what kind of killed us,” said Wheeler.
The LA Sparks did convert from the charity strike to go 100% from the line shooting 17/17 FTs.
Sykes commented on what contributed to their perfection from the free throw line.
“Practice and knowing that one of our goals is to get to the line. To be able to get there and then make them pay with 100%, we got to keep doing it. We have to keep making free throws and we have to keep pushing the other team’s defense to guard us.”
Near the end of the game, the Sparks were getting good looks, but were unable to convert.
“The things that we can control are those convertible opportunities that are there. That is what we have to continue to work at and improve in,” said Head Coach Derek Fisher.
He added, “We are there. But, we still have work to do in order to get closer to having a chance to win these games.”
The LA Sparks head to Seattle for their second matchup against the Storm on Wednesday, July 7 at 7 p.m.
Los Angeles, CA – Terry Donahue, the winningest coach in Pacific-12 Conference and UCLA football history, passed away on Sunday evening, July 4, at his home in Newport Beach, Calif., surrounded by family, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 77.
Donahue devoted the majority of his adult life to championing UCLA after enrolling at the school as a walk-on defensive lineman. In his first season (1965) in Westwood as a student-athlete, the 190-pound lineman helped lead the Bruins to the program’s first-ever Rose Bowl victory with an upset of previously unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Michigan State. He went on to serve as an assistant coach for the Bruins under Pepper Rodgers and Dick Vermeil and then took over the reigns as UCLA’s head coach, at age 31, beginning with the 1976 season.
Donahue, the first person to appear in a Rose Bowl Game as a player, assistant coach and head coach, would go on to post a conference-record 98 wins (98-51-5) and a school-record 151 wins (151-74-8). In a 20-year span, he won or shared five conference titles (1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1993) while finishing first or second in the league standings 12 times. The Bruins captured wins in three Rose Bowls (1983, 1984, 1986) during his tenure and he became the first college coach to come away with bowl game victories in seven consecutive seasons (1983 Rose Bowl, 1984 Rose Bowl, 1985 Fiesta Bowl, 1986 Rose Bowl, 1986 Freedom Bowl, 1987 Aloha Bowl, 1989 Cotton Bowl), including four New Year’s Day wins in a row. Donahue’s Bruins recorded seven straight top-20 finishes in the final Associated Press football poll from 1982-88.
During his 20-year head coaching reign, Donahue’s Bruin teams produced 40 wins over ranked opponents culminating with his final coaching victory, a 24-20 decision in the L.A. Coliseum over No. 11 USC in 1995. He posted a 10-9-1 career ledger in battles against the crosstown rivals. Donahue’s UCLA teams yielded 34 first-team All-America team selections, a list featuring some of the top performers in school history — LB Jerry Robinson, S Kenny Easley, RB Freeman McNeil, K John Lee, LB Ken Norton Jr., QB Troy Aikman, LB Carnell Lake, S Eric Turner and OL Jonathan Ogden. Fourteen of Donahue’s Bruins were chosen in the first-round of the NFL Draft, including future Pro Football Hall of Famers Aikman, Easley and Ogden.
Donahue himself was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. In 1997, he was welcomed into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. Donahue joined the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame with the class of 2001. In 2013, the press box at the Rose Bowl was officially dedicated as the Terry Donahue Pavilion. ESPN named Donahue one of the 150 Greatest College Coaches in its 2019 celebration of College Football’s 150th Anniversary.
After leaving the field following the 1995 season, Donahue pursued a career in broadcasting and in professional football administration. He worked broadcast assignments for CBS Sports and FOX around stints in the front office of the San Francisco 49ers. Donahue was the Director of Player Personnel from 1999-2000 in San Francisco and then served as the General Manager of the 49ers from 2001-2005.
Coach John Wooden once recognized Coach Donahue’s devotion to the UCLA community, saying, “I believe that a head coach, particularly at UCLA, should be judged by his or her peers within the university community-at-large as to whether the student-athletes with whom the coach was entrusted become not only excellent athletes but also, and more importantly, better students and better all-around individuals … There is no doubt in my mind that Terry Donahue deserves the recognition of having achieved that very ethereal form of success.”
Donahue is survived by Andrea, his wife of 52 years, daughters Nicole, Michele and Jennifer, three sons-in-law and 10 grandchildren.
A private service is planned for family, and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.
UCLA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CHIP KELLY ON TERRY DONAHUE: “There aren’t enough words to properly honor Terry Donahue and what he means to the Bruin family and anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing him. He epitomizes everything you strive to be as a coach and as a human being. Since the moment I stepped on campus, he’s been an incredible mentor and one of the most authentic, humble and toughest men I’ve ever met. He loved UCLA with all he had, and I can’t express how important his guidance and friendship has been for me. He is an irreplaceable representation of the BRUIN WAY. We will always love and play for TD. Our deepest condolences to Andrea, the Donahue family and everyone lucky enough to know him.”
The Las Vegas Aces vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Los Angeles, Ca – Unlike their game against the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday night, the LA Sparks came out seeking redemption on Friday night. In their second consecutive game against the Aces, the LA Sparks showed major improvement by tightening up their defense and held the Aces to just 66 points. Even though the Sparks were hungrier in their second effort, the Aces were still able to close the deal and win 66-58 over the Sparks in Los Angeles.
The LA Sparks came out with a vengeance and fought until the final buzzer.
Erica Wheeler led all Sparks with 15 points and 5 assists.
“I’m proud of my team on both ends, defense and offense. I think we played a better game today,” said Wheeler.
The Las Vegas Aces vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Tenacious defense was the name of the game for the Sparks.
The Sparks held the Aces shooting to 37.7% from the field and 18.2% from 3-point range.
The Sparks had not led since the second quarter.
With 5:34 left in the final period, the Sparks regained the lead from a drive by Te’a Cooper to put Sparks up, 55-54.
The crowd went ballistic.
But the Aces made a run to go up by four, 60-56, prompting Derek Fisher to call a timeout with 2:37 left in the game.
The Sparks had some good looks at the basket in the final seconds, but they were just unable to knock them down.
“For whatever reason, the ball is rattling in and out these past two games. So that’s just us needing to get back in the gym, but I think we kind of got whatever we wanted on offense. We just didn’t connect,” said Wheeler.
The Las Vegas Aces vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
The Sparks really began to assert their defensive pressure in the second quarter. They were boxing out, communicating, and moving their feet on defense.
A key catalyst for this pressure stemmed from a block party by Nia Coffey.
Coffey made her defensive presence known down low by finishing with four blocks for the contest.
“The quietest people are the most dangerous ones. Nia is definitely a great example of that. She’s an even greater human. It’s really a great pleasure playing with her,” said Amanda Zahui B.
Zahui B. recorded her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“We made some strides. Our defense got better in transition and everything that we talked about we did. Our shots just didn’t fall today. If that would have happened, then I think we would have gotten the game. Because our defense was great,” said Zahui B.
Head Coach Derek Fisher also commented on his team’s tenacious defensive effort.
The Las Vegas Aces vs LA Sparks WNBA basketball game at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
“To see the way the group is fighting on defense coming back after Wednesday night where Vegas scored 99 points, and to put up this type of effort just says a lot about our players. They wanted to come out and have each other’s back tonight and they fought hard on the defensive end,” said Fisher.
The LA Sparks take on the Seattle Storm on Sunday, July 4 at 6 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Los Angeles, CA – Even with some future NBA Hall of Famers in attendance, the LA Sparks still could not overcome the Las Vegas Aces in the star-studded event. Current and former NBA players such as Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Damian Lillard, and Quinn Cook made an appearance to show their support for the LA Sparks Wednesday night. The shorthanded LA Sparks (6-9) hosted the Las Vegas Aces (12-4), where they fought hard, but would ultimately fall to the Aces 99-75.
All seemed well for the Sparks in the opening quarter.
Photo by Bri Ingram fi360 News
Amanda Zahui B. got her team going early by scoring the first 8 points. She led all Sparks with 22 points and 9 rebounds.
Their biggest lead came around the 5-minute mark where they led the Aces by four, 15-11.
The Aces would then make a run to take the lead and end the first quarter 28-19. The LA Sparks were unable to recover.
The LA Sparks were finding open shots, they were just unable to convert on these opportunities. Unfortunately, this would prove to be the theme for the rest of the night.
The Sparks shot 28/82 FGs going for 34.1 percent from the field. They also went 7/24 with 29.2 percent from 3-point range.
“I think at times we did a lot of really good things. We just didn’t convert on some opportunities that we had around the basket. The fatigue started to set in with the short rotation. For eight minutes and thirty seconds in that first quarter, we were playing decent basketball. And we just blew the end of the first quarter and that’s what good teams can’t do,” said Fisher.
Photo by Bri Ingram fi360 News
LA also battled up against some trees down low in A’ja Wilson, Liz Cambage, and JiSu Park. The Aces outscored the Sparks in the paint 52 to 30. The Aces also outrebounded them 55 to 39.
“It’s tough to just keep fighting, fighting and fighting when things seem to just keep getting harder and harder every time they do something. We can’t beat ourselves up too long. We play this team again on Friday night. So, we’ll look at some things and be ready to go again on Friday,” said Fisher.
Despite the loss, it was a win for women’s basketball to receive the support from the NBA players.
“I think it’s really important that the support comes in. These are their sisters. The leagues are joined together in a lot of ways. We appreciate it here in LA. I think our players appreciate it. Our fans appreciate it. It’s important to continue to grow this game. They are the best basketball players in the world. So, when they support something, I think other people around the world tend to pay closer attention. We welcome them here in LA anytime and we appreciate the support in a major way,” said Fisher.
“It’s always nice to see all of their faces. It’s a great feeling to see them supporting us. It’s all love from each side,” said Cooper.
Cooper also commented on teammate Erica Wheeler not being nominated as an All-Star.
“She deserves to be an All-star. She has been hooping. I’m proud of her. Fish is proud of her. The staff is proud of her. Everybody is proud of her. It’s just unfortunate because she definitely deserved to be there.”
LA has been making some roster changes as season-long contracts in the WNBA became guaranteed this past Monday, at 2 p.m. PT.
On Wednesday, the LA Sparks signed the 2020 No. 3 overall pick Lauren Cox to a contract for the rest of the season. Cox was waived by the Indiana Fever on Sunday. She averaged 1.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 8.6 minutes for Indiana. The Baylor alum was also teammates with current Sparks guard Te’a Cooper in her last season at the university.
Cox made her debut Wednesday night scoring four points, five rebounds, and two steals.
“It’s always a great feeling to play with somebody who you have played with before. It was refreshing to see her face. I was happy to see her,” said Cooper.
Photo by Bri Ingram fi360 News
Forward Bria Holmes was waived on Monday, and was re-signed on Wednesday under a hardship exception contract. She has been averaging 5.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.8 minutes per game.
On Tuesday, LA terminated Karlie Samuelson’s hardship contract, but she was re-signed on Wednesday. She has been averaging 3.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 13.0 minutes per game.
The LA Sparks also terminated the hardship contract of 6-foot-4 center Kristine Anigwe on Tuesday. Anigwe averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game.
In addition to the Ogwumike Sisters being out due to knee injuries, Kristi Toliver was also out and missed her second game due to an eye injury against the Washington Mystics last Thursday.
The LA Sparks host the Las Vegas Aces again this Friday, July 2 at 7:00 p.m.
The Los Angeles Chargers today announced 17 practice dates, including an open practice and FanFest at SoFi Stadium, that will be open to the public as part of the team’s 2021 training camp schedule. Held once again at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA, 2021 Chargers Training Camp attendance requires online registration and is free of charge.
As in previous years, fans will need to pre-register for their free tickets. More information on availability and access can be found at chargers.com/camp. All covered seating and observation space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Chargers report for camp on Tuesday, July 27 and will take the field for the first time at 9:00 am Wednesday, July 28. Three days later for the first weekend practice of training camp, the Bolts will celebrate NFL Training Camp: Back Together Saturday on July 31 with highlights that include a special giveaway for fans in attendance and live expert commentary on practice from members of the Chargers’ radio broadcast team.
Charger Girls performing during a timeout during the NFL Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Chargers at Stubhub Center in Carson, Ca on August 13, 2017. ( Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)
Just over a week later, the Chargers will host a Season Ticket Member FanFest and open practice at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, August 8 at 3:30 pm. More information on how to attend the FanFest as well as details surrounding a special event with iHeartMedia Los Angeles’ ALT 98.7, the official broadcast home of The Bolts, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Additionally, after a one-year hiatus, the Bolts will once again hold joint practices during training camp – this year welcoming the San Francisco 49ers to Costa Mesa. The Chargers and 49ers will practice Thursday, August 19 and Friday, August 20 at Jack Hammett Sports Complex to conclude public training camp before their Preseason Week 2 contest Sunday, August 22 at SoFi Stadium.
As in years past, training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex offers fans of any age the opportunity to watch the Bolts practice in person and cheer for their favorite players within close proximity to the field. Bleacher seating for approximately 1,000 fans is completely covered and standing room observation space will once again be available on the fence-line in front of the bleachers.
For 2021, space will be more limited than in previous years and interactive fan zones from past camps will be replaced by several no-contact, Charger-themed photo opportunities as communities throughout Southern California continue to safely transition back into in-person events. Exclusive Chargers merchandise and apparel will also once again be for sale on-site during the morning practices, and fans in attendance – while unable to get up-close to players for autographs due to NFL Covid-related protocols – will still have an opportunity to receive special autographed items from players in a fun, socially distanced manner.
Gates to Jack Hammett Sports Complex will open one hour before the start of each practice session. Parking is available at the OC Fair and Events Center parking lots off Arlington Drive for $10. Parking is valid for the entire day should fans wish to attend the OC Fair following practice. There will also be a dedicated location for rideshare service drop-off and pick-up adjacent to Jack Hammett Sports Complex.
Fans may bring their own food, water and soft drinks, however alcoholic beverages may not be brought into Jack Hammett Sports Complex at any time. Smoking is not allowed at Chargers Training Camp.
Fans are welcome to bring personal cameras and cell phones, but video cameras and telephoto lenses longer than six inches (detachable or non-detachable) are not allowed. Other items not permitted at Jack Hammett Sports Complex include: pets (other than service animals), weapons of any kind, water guns, fireworks, frisbees, sports balls, beach balls or other inflatable objects, laser pointers, flammable objects, musical instruments or noise-making devices.
The following is a list of 2021 Los Angeles Chargers Training Camp practices open to the public:
All practices, with the exception of the Sunday, Aug. 8 FanFest open practice at SoFi Stadium, will take place at Jack Hammett Sports Complex (2750 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626) and are subject to change. Fans are reminded to download the free Los Angeles Chargers mobile app and follow #ChargersCamp on social media and chargers.com/camp for an inside look at 2021 Chargers Training Camp.
