LA HABRA – La Habra beat Sunny Hills 61-36 Friday night at La Habra High as the sharpshooting of Luke Liebrich-Ashford was the deciding factor.
Liebrich-Ashford made five three-pointers and finished with 19 points to lead the Highlanders to their fourth win in a row.
No. 8 La Habra (12-2, 2-0) had three players score in double figures. Cameron Dashiell had 15 points and Sam Howlin chipped in with 10 points.
“We are confident in all of our players taking shots from outside.” Highlanders coach Aaron Riekenberg said. “So if they’re gonna give us that, we’re gonna take it and Luke (Liebrich-Ashford) took advantage tonight.”
Liebrich-Ashford hit four of his five shots from beyond the arc in a 14-point first half and Dashiell’s activity on defense and in transition set the table for Liebrich-Ashford on several occasions.
Although Howlin didn’t have a big night on the offensive end he was able to impact the game in other ways.
“He’s our anchor on defense. Our guys are able to get out on shooters because they know we have him down low, not just blocking shots but contesting shots and being active on the glass,” Riekenberg said.
Howlin considerable size advantage allowed him to control the offensive glass and give the Highlanders second-chance opportunities.
Sunny Hills (9-7, 1-1) struggled to keep pace as their star player Luke Hosozawa struggled on offense in the first half.
La Habra’s swarming defense on Luke Hosozawa forced turnovers which created easy transition baskets for the majority of the game.
Hosozawa, who came into game averaging 16.4 points a game, was held to just nine points and only two points in the first half.
Riekenberg credited his team’s defense on Hosozawa as a key to victory.
“We really were trying to find him in the half court every chance we got because he is one special player. Every time he got the ball tonight, he heard us,” Riekenberg said.
La Habra’s last defeat was a one-point loss in the semifinals of the North Orange County Championships to JSerra on Dec 7.
LOS ANGELES — Could Ivica Zubac get through the final minutes Friday night without fouling out?
Of all the burning questions that were supposed to confront the Lakers this season, that one was somewhere near absolute zero.
But there it was. Zubac, the center from Croatia whom the Lakers picked in the second round in 2017, was carrying five fouls into the final minutes against New Orleans. He was getting those minutes because JaVale McGee was out with a particularly bitter case of the flu, and because he was earning them against the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis and Julius Randle.
He came into the fourth quarter with 11:05 left and he picked up his fifth foul with 3:29 left. The Lakers led the Pelicans by seven when Randle, a Laker until this season, assumed the ball on the left side of the lane. Zubac resoundingly blocked Randle’s shot with 57 seconds left. It was the signature play of perhaps the best game of his career, as the Lakers finished a tidy 112-104 win.
“He’s been bullying me in practice since I got into the league,” Zubac said of Randle. “That block felt good. It helped us win the game.”
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Zubac came up with 16 points and 11 rebounds, blocked two shots and shot 8 for 10. He scored the game’s first basket (a dunk) on a pass from Lonzo Ball, then got two more hoops, courtesy of LeBron James, as the Lakers jumped ahead 16-13.
“That took a lot of pressure off me,” Zubac said. “We’re all trying to make the playoffs, and there’s 14 teams in the West that can get there. So I felt we had to win this game, and when they told me I was starting, I started getting ready.”
Collaborators abounded, including James, who is fighting his own flu symptoms. He prompted a 9-2 Lakers run in the early fourth quarter after New Orleans had cut the margin to three.
Brandon Ingram, back in the lineup, came through with 18 points and seven boards. “He made all kinds of winning plays for us,” Coach Luke Walton said.
Davis, who got warm applause during introductions from fans who assume he’ll be wearing purple and gold at some point in his career, laid 30 points and 20 rebounds on the Lakers and showed why he has more 94-foot influence than any other big man in the game.
When James said it would be “awesome” to be Davis’ teammate, the Pelicans wanted the league to whistle him for tampering.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, after repeating that Davis will not be traded even if the Turkish government asks for it, said the Lakers were out of line.
“But that’s just me,” Gentry said. “I’ve only been in the league 31 years.”
Randle had 21 points and eight rebounds and clearly was going after Zubac from the tipoff. But Zubac was better prepared than Randle might have realized.
“JaVale was texting me all day,” Zubac said. “He told me to pull out all the video clips on the plays when Julius and Anthony miss shots from the left block and the right. That really helped me. I did a better job in the second half of keeping Julius out of the middle.”
The Lakers’ defense stiffened after halftime, holding New Orleans to 37.2 percent shooting and 4 for 17 from the 3-point line. “That’s after pretty much letting them have everything they wanted in the first half,” Walton said.
A head coach can’t see everything, but Walton said he was impressed by the way Zubac had become a part of the furniture in the Lakers’ facility.
“Every time I’m there he’s lifting weights, he’s playing 3-on-3 or 2-on-2, he’s working out individually with the coaches. We tell them all to stay ready, and he was.”
“I just try to do the simple things,” Zubac said. “Set hard screens, roll, be a dunker, relocate, and on defense try to do what the coach tells us to do.”
As usual, the people on the ground saw this coming before the rest of us.
“He had a great week of practice,” Kyle Kuzma said. “He was huge, and it’s a testament to his professionalism. I remember coming up to Luke and telling him we might unlock ‘Zu’, playing him with the starters. When he got that last block, I started laughing. It was pretty funny. It kinda really iced the game.”
It also froze up a burning question, just as we actually realized we were asking it.
CARSON — Melvin Gordon was treated like a featured back in his return Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens, but it didn’t translate into a memorable performance.
Gordon, who missed three games with a sprained MCL, was stymied by the Ravens’ vaunted rushing defense during a 22-10 loss at StubHub Center. Gordon recorded 41 yards on 12 carries and ran for a 1-yard touchdown.
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“There’s a reason why they’re the No. 1 defense in the NFL,” Gordon said. “They played us well today. They’re the better team for sure.”
Gordon was the only Charger to get more than one carry. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin was the second-leading rusher for the Chargers with one carry for six yards.
The Chargers combined for 51 rushing yards, a season-low with Gordon in the lineup.
The Chargers recorded 47 yards without Gordon on Oct. 21 against the Tennessee Titans in London.
“They just dominated us the whole game,” Gordon said. “We planned for them. We knew exactly what they were going to do, they were just applying pressure.”
It appeared the running game was ready to take off in the third quarter after Gordon’s score gave the Chargers a 10-6 lead. The rushing touchdown marked the 28th of Gordon’s career, tying Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for the second-most in the NFL since the start of 2016.
Gordon ran three straight times on the touchdown drive, including a 13-yard gain, his longest run of the night. He went into halftime with only 15 rushing yards on five attempts.
Gordon might get a second crack at the Ravens defense if they meet in the wild-card round as the 4 vs. 5 matchup in the AFC playoffs.
“We’ll see them in a couple of weeks,” Gordon said. “Can’t run from it. We made our road.”
Lack of pass protection
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was sacked four times and under pressure often versus the Ravens’ pass rush.
That didn’t sit well with Chargers center Mike Pouncey.
“Philip is a competitor,” Pouncey said. “Today we didn’t play well as a family. Defense outplayed us on a few plays, but we still have a lot to look forward to.”
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said he wasn’t concerned with the pass protection before Saturday night.
The Chargers struggled to contain Ravens linebacker Patrick Onwuasor, who recorded two sacks, eight tackles and the game-saving forced fumble on Antonio Gates that led to a 62-yard touchdown return from Ravens cornerback Tavon Young.
“This whole week we’ve been talking about shutting them out,” Young said. “That’s our goal every week.”
CARSON — Nobody said the NFL was fair. (Although you can interpret that any number of ways.) But when circumstances seem to be slanted against you, talent and will can win the day.
The Baltimore Ravens were dealing with a short week, and they’d traveled across the country to play a Chargers team that had 10 days off. And, well, the game’s No. 1 defense and a young quarterback with fresh legs and no fear turned out to be the antidote.
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Rookie Lamar Jackson passed for 204 yards, ran for 39 and kept the Ravens moving, though touchdowns were elusive for most of the night. Baltimore’s defense limited the Chargers to one touchdown and one field goal — and created the biggest turnover of the night to turn a Chargers drive into a Ravens score.
And the visitors went home happy, if maybe a little bleary-eyed, with a 22-10 victory that kept them in the playoff hunt and all but consigned the Chargers to wild-card status. (The Chiefs could make that official Sunday night against Seattle.)
The Ravens’ ETA in Baltimore Sunday morning is around 7 a.m. EST … but at least they’ll have an extra day to prepare before their own Week 17.
Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville, showed some additional dimensions to his game Saturday night. He had rushed for 427 yards in his five starts since taking over for the injured Joe Flacco, but he threw for 204 against the Chargers, though 68 of those came on the pass play to Mark Andrews in the third quarter that answered the Chargers’ only touchdown of the game and put the Ravens ahead to stay.
“I finally had a 200-yard game, huh?” he said afterward. “People thought it was going to be a big test for me and it was going to be difficult, but our offensive line did a great job. If it wasn’t for them, I would have only been 100-and-some yards again.”
His legs were a secondary option Saturday night, though he had 39 yards on 13 carries (Gus Edwards had 14 for 92 yards) and picked up a couple of key first downs with his running.
“I’ve been saying all week, I know what kind of player he is,” said Chargers safety Derwin James, who faced Jackson in college when Louisville played Florida State. “He’s a great player. Everybody saw it today.”
The Ravens team that showed up here Saturday night could be a dangerous postseason foe if it gets there. The Ravens can pound the ball all day with Jackson, Edwards and Kenneth Dixon chewing up yardage, and they have plenty of weapons to bail them out should they ever face, oh, 4th and 29.
(Charger fans of long standing, feel free to wince at that reference.)
Not all of Jackson’s throws were elegant. Some sailed over receivers’ heads, bounced at their feet or whistled several yards to the left or right. But the 68-yard pass play to Mark Andrews for a score early in the third quarter, an emphatic answer right after Melvin Gordon had scored to put the Chargers on top briefly, was a thing of beauty.
“Think of what a challenge it was for Lamar to come out here and win this game,” coach John Harbaugh said. “This is a really good (Chargers) defense. It’s an 11-3 team coming into this game, a team fighting for the division out here, playing a very important game with a lot of rest and a lot of time to prepare for this offense and for him.”
(Um, if you think the Ravens didn’t have that scheduling inequity on their minds, that quote should have just disabused you of that notion.)
“They did a good job defending him,” Harbaugh added. “But he handled himself with great poise … We’re learning it’s not too big for him. He came to the sideline on (one) rollout pass, and the reason he didn’t throw it away was that he was thinking about the clock. That’s a veteran move right there. That’s pretty impressive.
“He’s playing great football his way, his style, and our guys have done a great job adapting. Look at our receivers. Look at the job they’ve done adapting to a different style and how well they’re playing, making plays when they have to make plays.”
Jackson and his progress represent one issue for the Chargers. Another is the way their defense bottled up and frustrated Philip Rivers, who was 23 of 37 for 181 yards, was sacked four times, had two interceptions and finished with a passer rating of 51.7.
“You force him to hold the ball a bit (with coverage), because he doesn’t want to throw an interception there,” Harbaugh said. “Guys are covered so he holds it. That combination is a combination we’re looking for.”
Baltimore also did something it hadn’t done all season. The Ravens were minus-7 in turnover differential in their first 14 games, but besides the two interceptions they forced the most important fumble of the night. Linebacker Patrick Onwuasor poked the ball loose from Antonio Gates after an 11-yard reception, and cornerback Tavon Young scooped it up and returned it 62 yards for an insurance touchdown with 2:40 left in the game.
“That’s huge,” veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We’re finally cashing in. We had opportunities early in the season to get turnovers and we just didn’t get them. But now it’s more important than ever.”
Baltimore is now 9-6, tied with Tennessee for the second wild-card spot (with Indianapolis at 8-6), and hovering right behind AFC North leader Pittsburgh (8-5-1), which plays at New Orleans today.
And now preparation time won’t be an issue for them.
IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
IE football player of the year is Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 6, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cajon High School football standouts Jonathan Perkins (L), and Cam Stephens (R), watch as Jayden Daniels announces he will attend Arizona St. to play NCAA college football during a signing ceremony at Cajon High School in San Bernardino, Ca., December 13, 2018. (John Valenzuela/ Contributing Photographer)
Cajon High School quarterback Jayden Daniels runs the ball as Sierra Canyon High School’s Donovan Williams attempts a tackle during the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship game on Friday, November 23, 2018 at San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino, Ca.
(Photo by Micah Escamilla, Contributing Photographer)
Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels throws the ball while on the run during a CIF-SS Division 3 semifinal game at Capistrano Valley High School on Friday, November 16, 2018. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels runs with the ball during a CIF-SS Division 3 semifinal 46-42 win over Capistrano Valley High School on Friday, November 16, 2018. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels throws the ball during a CIF-SS Division 3 semifinal game at Capistrano Valley High School on Friday, November 16, 2018. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cajon High School quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball past Paloma Valley High School’s Lucas Scott during a playoff game on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Cajon High School in San Bernardino, Ca.
(Photo by Micah Escamilla, Contributing Photographer)
Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels (C) #5 smiles after running for a more than 50 yard touchdown against Murrieta Valley in the first half of the non-league football game in Murrieta on Friday, August 31, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cajon quarterback Jayden Daniels (C) #5 poses for a picture after running for a more than 50 yard touch down against Murrieta Valley in the second half of the non-league football game in Murrieta on Friday, August 31, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The Southern California News Group honors the region’s top fall sports athletes.
SoCal Varsity Awards section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Name: Jayden Daniels
School: Cajon
Year: Senior
Season recap: Jayden Daniels put on a show week in and week out for the Cowboys, affirming his status as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the 2019 class.
Cajon averaged 47.9 points per game and scored at least 30 points in every game this season. The explosive offense led by Daniels was the reason the Cowboys reached a CIF Southern Section final for the second straight year.
What made Daniels dangerous was his ability to create big plays with his arm and his legs. As a senior, he had nine games with at least 300 passing yards and eight games with at least 100 rushing yards. Daniels had 450 total yards or more in eight games and accounted for at least five touchdowns 10 times.
Daniels was an efficient passer, completing 70.7 percent of his attempts while throwing for 4,515 yards and 60 touchdowns. He also was Cajon’s top rusher, finishing the season with 1,536 yards and 16 touchdowns on 168 carries. Daniels had only four interceptions on 406 attempts and did not lose a fumble
Daniels, who recently signed with Arizona State, set a state record last season with 6,431 offensive yards in 16 games. He duplicated the feat again this season with 6,056 total yards over 14 games.
Those were the finishing touches on a record-breaking prep career by Daniels. He started 54 games behind center during his four seasons with the Cowboys and posted 14,007 career passing yards and 170 career passing touchdowns. Each of those numbers set a CIF Southern Section record and placed Daniels second in state history in both categories behind only Folsom’s Jake Browning.
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
About the section: The award winners and teams were selected by the high school sports reporters for the Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts.
Mater Dei’s Natalie Berty is the 2018 SCNG SoCal Varsity girls volleyball Player of the Year. Photographed at the Meruelo Athletic Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Natalie Berty is the 2018 SCNG SoCal Varsity girls volleyball Player of the Year. Photographed at the Meruelo Athletic Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Mater Dei’s Natalie Berty is the 2018 SCNG SoCal Varsity girls volleyball Player of the Year. Photographed at the Meruelo Athletic Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Natalie Berty is the 2018 SCNG SoCal Varsity girls volleyball Player of the Year. Photographed at the Meruelo Athletic Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Natalie Berty is the 2018 SCNG SoCal Varsity girls volleyball Player of the Year. Photographed at the Meruelo Athletic Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Natalie Berty is the 2018 SCNG SoCal Varsity girls volleyball Player of the Year. Photographed at the Meruelo Athletic Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Natalie Berty is the 2018 SCNG SoCal Varsity girls volleyball Player of the Year. Photographed at the Meruelo Athletic Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei has been a national powerhouse in recent seasons, but a CIF State championship had eluded the Monarchs. Berty, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter who signed with Stanford, helped end the drought, as she registered 532 kills (4.3 per set) during her senior campaign. She had a 43.8 kill percentage and .301 hitting percentage this year.
Berty was more than an attacker, however. She finished second on the squad with 323 digs (2.3 per set) and fourth with 54 total blocks. She also was a prime serve receiver (only 35 errors on 564 serves).
Berty posted these phenomenal numbers with Mater Dei playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Mater Dei finished 43-2, with one loss to national No. 1 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) and the other to Marymount. The Monarchs avenged the loss to Marymount three times during the final six weeks of the season, the third being a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the Open Division state regional final.
Many of Berty’s top performances came during the biggest matches. She opened her senior season with 28 kills against Sierra Canyon, and she had 31 and 22 kills in two big showdowns against Redondo. She posted 5.3 kills per set in the three-set loss to Assumption.
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
About the section: The award winners and teams were selected by the high school sports reporters for the Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts.
The Southern California News Group honors the region’s top fall sports athletes:
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Name: Ryan Neapole
School: Harvard-Westake
Year: Senior
Season recap: Ryan Neapole didn’t score a single goal to help Harvard-Westlake’s boys water polo team capture the CIF-SS Division 1 championship. Yet, he meant everything to the Wolverines.
Neapole delivered outstanding perimeter defense to power Harvard-Westlake’s two greatest strengths: pure defiance against opposing offenses and team-oriented play.
In the Division 1 final, he locked down strong-armed attackers Makoto Kenney and Jack White of top-seeded Newport Harbor while recording four steals. The Wolverines — void of a major star player — pulled a 5-3 upset because of their defense and execution of specific roles.
“Clearly the best defensive player in high school this year,” Harvard-Westlake coach Brian Flacks said of Neapole, the CIF-SS Division 1 player of the year despite not scoring a goal in the playoffs.
“When I think of the smartest high school players I’ve ever coached, I’m thinking (Ben) Hallock, Evan Rosenfeld, Johnny Hooper and Ryan Neapole in that same conversation.” .
Committed to Princeton, the 6-foot Neapole was thrilled to help his team while doing the one thing he enjoys most in water polo.
“It’s always kind of been my thing,” the Mission League MVP said of his defense, “because I’ve never had the best shot. I’ve never been the fastest. It’s always been something to hang my hat (on).
“I can always make an impact on the game even while not being incredibly athletic by just taking their best player out of the game completely and just letting my athletic, offensively-talented guys do the rest.”
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
About the section: The award winners and teams were selected by the high school sports reporters for the Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts.
The Southern California News Group honors the region’s top fall sports athletes:
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Name: Dominique Stone
School: Campbell Hall
Year: Senior
Season recap: Only one thing can outshine Dominique Stone’s senior season: her career.
The L.A. Daily News’ girls tennis player of the year four straight seasons, the Campbell Hall senior dominated Southern California tennis with a fierce forehand and a smile.
Stone finished her decorated career having lost just five times, she helped her school win two CIF Southern Section titles, including the Open Division crown this season, and she won over 100 matches in her time at Campbell Hall.
“Mentally, Dominique is very strong. She’s a problem solver,” said Campbell Hall’s longtime coach Steve Kuechel.
Campbell Hall’s Dominique Stone shows her excitement after scoring during the CIF-SS Open Division Championship match against University at Claremont Club in Claremont on Friday, November 9, 2018. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Girls tennis player Dominique Stone of Campbell Hall High School. (Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNews/SCNG)
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Dominique Stone of Campbell Hall High School. (Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNews/SCNG)
Girls tennis player Dominique Stone of Campbell Hall High School. (Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNews/SCNG)
Girls tennis player Dominique Stone of Campbell Hall High School. (Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNews/SCNG)
Girls tennis player Dominique Stone of Campbell Hall High School. (Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNews/SCNG)
Stone is an uncommitted recruit, with offers and interest from several Pac-12 schools.
One of Stone’s highlights this season was avenging one of her five career losses. Arcadia’s Michelle Deng topped Stone in the Southern Section semifinals, but Campbell Hall won the match 10-8.
A week later, after Campbell Hall topped University 11-7 to win the Open Division crown, Stone defeated Deng 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the SoCal Regional final. However, Arcadia won the regional title.
“Dominique wasn’t going to lose the last (individual) match of her high school career,” said Kuechel. “But Dominique is so about the team, despite her unbelievable individual talent, so I know she was more concerned about the team’s loss (in the SoCal Regional) than her win over Deng. That kind of thing is what makes Dominique such a pleasure to coach.”
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
About the section: The award winners and teams were selected by the high school sports reporters for the Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts.
Boys cross country runner of the year Newbury Park High School’s Nico Young. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Newbury Park’s Nico Young, #966 wins the Division 2 boys CIF State cross county championships at Woodward Park in Fresno on Saturday, November 24, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Boys cross country runner of the year Newbury Park High School’s Nico Young. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Newbury Park’s Nico Young, #966 wins the Division 2 boys CIF State cross county championships at Woodward Park in Fresno on Saturday, November 24, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Young won the CIF Southern Section’s Division 2 individual title just days after most of his teammates were evacuated from their homes due to the quick-spreading wildfire. He set a Riverside City Course 3-mile course record with a time of 14 minutes, 24.2 seconds while leading Newbury Park to its first boys team championship.
He wasn’t done. The following week, he won the 5-kilometer Division II race at the CIF State Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno in 14:59 while again leading the Panthers to a championship, this time at the state level.
“It’s the second time our school has actually ever been at the state meet,” Young said afterward. “To win it is amazing.”
Newbury Park performed so well, in fact, it earned a berth into the Nike Cross Nationals meet in Portland, where Young again impressed with a fourth-place overall finish in 15:04.7.
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
About the section: The award winners and teams were selected by the high school sports reporters for the Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts.
Great Oak’s Tori Gaitan places 1st. in the Division 1 girl’s CIF State cross county championships at Woodward Park in Fresno on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Great Oak won the team championship (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Great Oak’s Tori Gaitan #571 leads team mate Fatima Cortes #569 and the rest of the runners in the Division 1 girl’s CIF State cross county championships at Woodward Park in Fresno on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Great Oak won the team championship (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Great Oak’s Tori Gaitan wins the race as Great Oak wins the Southwestern League cross country championships at Galway Downs in Temecula on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Great Oak’s Tori Gaitan (947) leads the pack during the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Girls cross country championships at Riverside Cross Country Course in Riverside Saturday, November 17, 2018. Photo by FRANK BELLINO, Contributing Photographer.
The Southern California News Group honors the region’s top fall sports athletes:
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Name: Tori Gaitan
School: Great Oak
Year: Junior
Season recap: Tori Gaitan enjoyed a banner season this fall that included championships in Division 1 at both the CIF Southern Section and CIF State Championships.
Gaitan outlegged Walnut’s Chloe Arriaga to win the section title on Nov. 17 at Riverside in 16 minutes, 42.2 seconds. A week later, she helped lead Great Oak’s girls to their seventh consecutive state team title with a time of 17:19.4 on the 5-kilometer course at Woodward Park in Fresno.
Gaitan defeated a competitive field that included Meagen Lowe (Clovis Buchanan), Chloe Arriaga (Walnut), Carlie Dorostkar (Canyon Crest Academy) and league-rival Devyn Candaele of Vista Murrieta.
Gaitan became the Wolfpack’s second girls individual state champ, joining Destiny Collins who did it in 2015. And the Wolfpack needed every point she earned, too, as they narrowly defeated Vista Murrieta 79-83 to win the crown.
“I’m grateful to these girls that they gave it all they got,” Gaitan said afterward. “Every point counted.”
The Wolfpack advanced to the Nike Cross Nationals meet in Portland, where Gaitan placed 18th in 17:33 as Great Oak finished eighth nationally.
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
About the section: The award winners and teams were selected by the high school sports reporters for the Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts.
The Southern California News Group honors the region’s top fall sports athletes:
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
GIRLS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
Name: Alexa Melton
School: South Hills
Year: Senior
Season recap: It was a year to remember for Alexa Melton.
She had an extremely successful summer, winning the prestigious SCGA Women’s Amateur Championship in Valencia and finishing tied for third in the Girls Junior PGA Championship, and she carried that momentum into the fall while playing for South Hills High School.
She had a one-stroke lead with six holes to go in the final round of the CIF State Golf Championship in Riverside, and it appeared she would be taking home that top prize too, but she finished in a tie for second place.
“I was comfortable, but I wasn’t playing as good,” said Melton. “The greens were playing pretty fast.”
Melton, who has signed with Pepperdine, capped her fall campaign with a third-place finish at the Rolex Tournament of Champions in Florida, one more elite-level achievement added to a resume that establishes her as the school’s best all-time player.
SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday’s edition of your local SCNG newspaper.
About the section: The award winners and teams were selected by the high school sports reporters for the Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Three sacks. The way Aaron Donald plays, that could be a single quarter’s worth of production. Donald has a full game next week to pocket three and set some extraordinary NFL history.
Further extraordinary history, that is. Donald’s three sacks in Sunday’s 31-9 victory at Arizona brought his season total to 19.5, the most of any interior lineman in NFL history and most ever by a Rams defender in a single season since the league started to track sacks as an official stat in 1982.
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The NFL single-season record of 22.5, set by New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan in 2001, has returned to the conversation, assuming the Rams don’t rest Donald during next Sunday’s season finale against San Francisco. That seems unlikely, given that they’re still playing for a first-round playoff bye.
“I’m just going to play and see what happens,” Donald said with a big grin. “I’m going to play.”
So, the chase is on. After two quiet weeks – at least by his own standards – Donald had a dominant effort against the Cardinals. His three sacks and seven tackles each were his second-highest totals of the year.
Donald’s most-productive game of this season? It was at San Francisco in October, when he recorded four sacks. A duplication of that would break Strahan’s record.
“I’m just going to play,” Donald repeated. “They’ve got a good offensive line. I’ll still watch film and break down things. I’m happy about this one. We’ll worry about that come Wednesday.”
Donald was in an exceptionally playful mood after the game, even though he typically shies away from talking about his personal achievements. With his second sack Sunday, he became the single-season record-holder for sacks by a defensive tackle. Minnesota’s Keith Millard had 18.0 sacks in 1989.
Then, with his third sack, Donald broke the single-season franchise record of 19.0, set by defensive end Robert Quinn in 2013.
“It feels good,” Donald said. “It’s what you work for and I’m glad for it, but it’s just about going out and playing the game and trying to help your team. In the way to doing that, you just have success, and any time you can be a part of history, it’s a special moment.”
Donald would seem to have an excellent chance to become only the 11th player in NFL history to reach 20 sacks in a season, thanks to Sunday’s game. Donald had failed to record a sack in either of his previous two games, and had a combined total of only four tackles, as he was the subject of regular double-teaming.
This time, against a Cardinals offensive line that has been decimated by injuries this season, Donald and the Rams’ front got consistent pressure on Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen.
“We did some stuff to help me,” Donald said. “They started sliding to (Ndamukong) Suh a little bit. We worked some games inside to open up some stuff. We did a little bit of everything to try to get each other free.”
Teammates and coaches have long since run out of new ways to describe Donald’s dominance, but one stat says more than any words could express: Since the start of last season, the Rams have a 17-0 record when Donald records at least one sack in a game.
“Amazing,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “Amazing player, amazing teammate. It’s truly amazing what he does at the inside lineman position, and getting to the quarterback as often as he does. It’s crazy.”
TOUGH DAY FOR ROSEN
Rosen, the former UCLA and St. John Bosco High standout, had another tough day as he neared the end of a challenging rookie season. Rosen completed 12 of 23 attempts for 87 yards and left the game in the fourth quarter, as the Cardinals turned to Mike Glennon for a second straight week.
Rosen’s only real success was on the ground, as he scrambled for a team-high 49 yards on four attempts.
“I have to be better for (teammates) as a leader,” Rosen said. “If you are going to be one of those guys, you have to be reliable, and I haven’t been the last couple weeks. I’m grateful for them because they keep pushing me, and I’ll keep battling every week.”
INJURY REPORT
Rams starting safety Lamarcus Joyner left the game in the second half with an ankle injury, and immediately after the game, coach Sean McVay said he didn’t have an update on Joyner. Starting cornerback Aqib Talib also left the game with an unknown issue, but returned after just a few plays.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
It’s something of a tradition for the starting quarterback and running back to buy a gift for each of the starting offensive linemen. Goff and Todd Gurley joined together this month and purchased five high-end off-road vehicles. Goff said he solicited ideas, and that one came from veteran center John Sullivan. Goff said the cost of the vehicles led he and Gurley to make joint purchases.
“Splitting it helps a lot,” Goff said with a smile. “But anything for those guys. They deserve it.”
LOS ANGELES – JaVale McGee missed his fourth straight start for the Lakers on Sunday night, but he was in the Staples Center, broke huddle with the team at shootaround, and even did some pregame warm-ups.
As it turns out, just being around the team was a huge step for McGee.
A Yahoo Sports report broke the news that McGee was hospitalized for three days at UCLA Medical Center following the Lakers’ return from their four-game road trip, dealing with pneumonia. The Lakers had previously said that McGee was suffering from flu-like symptoms and a respiratory infection, but had not elaborated on the severity of McGee’s ailments.
The Lakers said Sunday that he was cleared for basketball activities, but that his energy and conditioning was not where it needed to be. Still, his mere presence was a relief given the events of the last week.
“Oh, it felt good, man,” McGee said to reporters shortly after the Lakers’ loss to the Grizzlies. “Just getting back to the routine. For the past, eight, nine days, my routine has been laying in bed. And that’s it. So it’s real refreshing.”
McGee said he made up his own mind to go to the hospital after he got home and was given antibiotics. He also noted that he has asthma, which can complicate respiratory problems such as pneumonia.
After his pregame working, McGee said he was “extremely winded,” but said he would commit to extra conditioning in the next few days to get his health back to where it was before he got sick.
McGee hasn’t played since a Dec. 15 game in Charlotte, but he’s aiming for a return to the court Tuesday at Golden State, where he won two titles. Before the game, he will receive a ring for winning the 2018 NBA Finals. Said McGee of the game: “The whole time [when he was sick], that’s all I was thinking about.”
Walton said he wasn’t concerned about McGee rushing himself back to play — far from it, in fact.
“I want it. You want guys that want to play,” Walton said. “Now it’s up to the doctors to decide whether or not he’s cleared to do that, which they’ve said he is, so now it will be an energy thing. But you want guys like that.”
Tyson Chandler also missed Sunday’s game with back spasms. Walton said the 36-year-old’s back started tightening up during Friday’s win over the Pelicans, and that Chandler couldn’t go through a normal pregame routine early on Sunday. Chandler was also spotted in the Lakers’ locker room prior to the game.
Michael Beasley’s mother dies
After a battle with illness, Michael Beasley’s mother, Fatima Smith, has died.
The Lakers have missed the forward for most of the month as Beasley attended to his mother, granting him time off to visit her in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Beasley and Smith both came to the Lakers’ Dec. 16 game against the Washington Wizards, with Beasley briefly joining the team on the bench.
Walton began his pregame comments with a personal sentiment for Beasley from the team.
“ I just wanted to send our love, our thoughts and our prayers to Michael Beasley and his family,” Walton said. “They’re going through a tough time. But we’re thinking of you, we miss you and we love you.”
LA Clippers guard Lou Williams (23) dribbles against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores the final basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
A Los Angeles Clippers player covers his head near the ned of the game against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell (5) defends in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles as Golden State Warriors forward Jonas Jerebko (21) defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley (21) lays up the ball as Golden State Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie (28) defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
LA Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles as Golden State Warriors forward Jonas Jerebko (21) defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers facts in the game against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
LA Clippers guard Avery Bradley (11) shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Jonas Jerebko (21) defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Golden State Warriors fans cheer during the game against the LA Clippers in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles as Los Angeles Clippers forward Tobias Harris (34) defends in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steph Curry made a layup with 0.5 seconds left and the Golden State Warriors outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers 129-127 in an emotionally charged game Sunday night.
Curry had 42 points to tie his second-highest scoring output of the season. He also got the last laugh after he exchanged heated words with Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in the first quarter.
The Clippers’ Avery Bradley tied it at 127 with a dunk with 20.6 seconds remaining. On the next possession, Curry had Montrezl Harrell on him at the top of the key, drove down the middle of the lane and converted the layup off the glass for the winner.
Tobias Harris missed a shot as time expired, giving the Warriors their eighth victory in 10 games.
Kevin Durant added 35 points for Golden State to help offset the Clippers’ 78-percent (18 of 23) 3-point shooting. Harris led Los Angeles with 32 points, and Lou Williams added 25.
Curry was coming off a 7-for-22 shooting performance against Dallas on Saturday night.
The Warriors rallied in the third quarter. Durant had 14 points in the quarter, Curry added 11 and the Warriors outscored the Clippers 36-23 to take a 103-94 lead into the fourth.
The Clippers couldn’t miss from outside in the first half, hitting 13 of 16 3-point shots (81.2 percent) for a 71-67 lead. Harris was 5 for 5 and had 19 points in the half.
Curry had 22 points in the half, but Golden State was 5 of 16 from 3-point range. However, they outscored Los Angeles 24-10 from the free throw line in the first two quarters and that kept it close.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Lonzo Ball (2) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley, left, and Marc Gasol during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Ivica Zubac (40) dunks between Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol, left, and Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) passes as Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol, right, and Dillon Brooks, bottom center, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma (0) goes up for a dunk as Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) dribbles around a screen set up by teammate Ivica Zubac (40) on Memphis Grizzlies’ Kyle Anderson, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Lonzo Ball, left, drives past Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., right, is defended by Los Angeles Lakers’ Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) smiles during a break in action during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol, left, dunks next to Los Angeles Lakers’ Ivica Zubac, center, and LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks (24) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) and Ivica Zubac (40) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Memphis Grizzlies’ JaMychal Green (0) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES — At home against a wounded, wobbling — and ever gritty, dangerous — Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers couldn’t grind out a victory, losing 107-99 after they were beaten 35-24 in the fourth quarter Sunday.
The Lakers (19-14) couldn’t put away a victory to propel them into a much-anticipated Christmas day matchup with the Golden State Warriors in Oakland.
Memphis, meanwhile, snapped a five-game losing streak before 18,997 fans at Staples Center, winning for just the second time in nine games, dating back to the 111-88 clobbering the Lakers delivered when the last the teams met on Dec. 8 in Memphis.
“It’s a frustrating loss, those are the lumps we’re talking about,” Lakers Coach Luke Walton said, resignation thick in his voice. “Give them credit for hitting shots, they were 8 for (10) from 3 (in the fourth quarter), but … we messed up coverages, we didn’t communicate — all the things we work on. For some reason, we didn’t have that in us to do down the stretch of that game.
“So that one hurts going into the holidays, but that’s life in the NBA.”
With their regular centers ailing and unavailable (Tyson Chandler was nursing back spasms and JaVale McGee recovering from a respiratory infection) the Lakers leaned on their young big fellas.
Third-year center Ivica Zubac got his second consecutive start (and second this season) and rookie Moe Wagner was assigned primary backup duties.
And, yes, they were facing the most-potent post duo of veteran all-star Marc Gasol and sensational rookie Jaren Jackson Jr.
Advantage Grizzlies?
In the end, yes.
Wagner (no points and three rebounds) was a non-factor, flustered during his four minutes on the floor by Grizzlies defenders down low.
But for the second consecutive game, Zubac was collected and in sync with his teammates, and especially with James, who scored only two first-half points but assisted on four of Zubac’s eight makes (in 10 attempts) in that span. As a team, the Lakers started the game with 17 assists on 19 made-buckets.
James finished with a team-high 22 points to go with 14 rebounds and seven assists; Zubac wound up with a season-high 19 points, four rebounds, four blocks and an assist in a season-high 33 minutes.
“Luke’s always been saying to me that he trusts me and if there’s a chance to out me on the floor, he’s going to put me there,” Zubac said. “He’s going to always trust me like every other player on the team. And I’ve just been doing the same stuff every day, working hard, doing everything to stay in shape. So when Luke trusted me with an opportunity, I gotta take full advantage of it.”
The Lakers needed that output from the 7-foot-1 Croatian center because Jackson and Gasol delivered 27 and 17 points respectively.
The teams traded the lead 25 times before Memphis pulled away late in the fourth quarter, when Mike Conley scored 11 of his 17 points, as Lakers defenders lost track of him or failed to stick with him on screens.
“We made too many mistakes,” James said. “No excuses. We had too many blown coverages down the stretch… the defensive breakdowns were what was crippling us down to the stretch.”
Gasol gave the Grizzlies a 93-91 lead late when he head-faked and made the layup (drawing a foul, but missing the free throw) with 3:42 left.
After that, James made a deep 3-pointer, but Conley made two 3s and Jackson made a pair of foul shots, lifting Memphis (17-16) to a 101-94 lead
Josh Hart sank a 3-pointer and James charged in for a layup to close the gap to 104-99 with 38.5 remaining, but Jackson Jr. hit a 3-point dagger over James with 25 seconds left to seal it.
For part of the fourth quarter, the Lakers, searching, went against Memphis and its two towering stars without a true center on the floor — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (10 points) joined James, Kyle Kuzma (11), Hart (11) and Rajon Rondo (2).
Without McGee and Chandler, the Lakers “had to manipulate lineups even if a group was going good,” Walton said. “We felt we had to get certain guys out so we could get them a quick rest. It hurt the flow, the momentum we had a couple times throughout the game.
“But at the end of the day, we lost because we stopped playing defense.”
The Lakers led 75-72 entering the final quarter thanks to a tough 3-pointer by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the waning moments of the third.
In his second game back from an ankle injury, forward Brandon Ingram had 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting in 38 minutes. Starting point guard Lonzo Ball went 2 for 10 and finished with four points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Lakers shot 49.3 percent and held Memphis to 46.7 percent, and they finished with 27 assists on 37 field goals and 25 fast-break points to the Grizzlies’ four, but it wasn’t enough.
“They outrebounded us, we had more turnovers than them, honestly, we didn’t deserve to win,” said Walton, referring to Memphis’ 16-9 edge in turnovers and 43-41 advantage on the boards. “We’ll learn and we’ll move on.”
An assault at a bus stop in Orange left two people hospitalized on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 23.
The attack took place sometime before 6:36 p.m. at the intersection of West Katella Avenue and Glassell Street, according to Orange Police Sgt. Kevin Plog. He said two men between the ages of 25 and 35 were taken to UC Irvine Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Yellow tape cordons off the area surrounding a bus stop in Orange where two people were assaulted on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 23. (Photo by Eric Licas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange police investigate near the scene of an assault at a bus stop on the corner of West Katella Avenue and Glassell Street on Sunday, Dec. 23. (Photo by Eric Licas, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Police said it wasn’t immediately known if there was more than one attacker.
Police searched for at least one suspect Sunday evening and received initial reports that an attacker or attackers might have fled on foot about a mile away into the Carriage Mobile Homes lot, 201 W. Collins Ave., but officers did not locate anyone, according to Plog.
He said no arrest was made in the immediate hours after the assault.
Further information regarding the circumstances of the assault, or further description of any possible suspects, was not immediately available from authorities.
Anaheim police were not negligent when officers encountered a man holding a pellet gun in 2012 and the suspect was fatally shot, jurors have found.
An Orange County Superior Court jury voted 9-3 on Dec. 18 in favor of the city in a lawsuit filed by family of the man shot, Bernie Villegas, likely ending years of litigation over the shooting.
In 2012, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office investigated the incident and also found that Officer Nick Bennallack was justified in firing upon Villegas, 36, at an Anaheim apartment complex on West Ball Road on the night of Jan. 7, 2012. The shooting happened as officers were investigating a report of an armed man at an apartment complex.
Four officers responded to the complex, where they found Villegas holding what turned out to be a BB gun. The District Attorney’s report said the officers identified themselves as police and ordered Villegas at gunpoint to put up his hands and drop the gun.
Villegas began to raise the gun, investigators wrote, at which point Bennallack fired five rounds from his handgun, striking Villegas multiple times. Villegas was pronounced dead at the scene.
In earlier litigation, a federal appeals court noted that the description of the shooting by the four officers was “largely consistent,” but differed on “key points.”
In their written ruling, the appeals judges outlined the differences they noted: Bennallack testified that Villegas made a “quick movement” to grab the BB gun, which was resting on a wall. Two of the other officers reported that Villegas was already holding the BB gun, while the last said he believed Villegas had slightly raised it from the ground.
“We thank the jurors for their consideration of the difficult situation our officers faced that night,” Lauren Gold, a representative for the city of Anaheim, said in a statement after the verdict. “Regardless of circumstances, any loss of life in our city is tragic and our heart goes out to the family.”
The question jurors voted on, ending the lawsuit, was: “Were any of the defendant officers negligent in their tactical conduct and decision-making before the use of deadly force on Bernie Villegas under the totality of the circumstances?” The answer was “No” on the 9-3 vote.
The suit had alleged that police did not allow Villegas enough time to comply with their demands, according to Federico Sayre, an attorney representing Villegas’s family.
Sayre said Bennallack fired within one second of encountering Villegas and issuing commands. The family’s attorney said that if the police had spent an appropriate amount of time assessing the situation, they would have seen that their suspect was attempting to raise his hands, per the officers’ orders.
However, Sayre said he does not expect Villegas’s family to further pursue their claims against the city.
“Orange County is not an easy place to get a jury decision against police,” he said. “(Villegas’s) two children were 12 and 13 when this happened. They are 19 and 20 now, and may have to live with this decision.”
Six months after Villegas’s death, Benallack shot and killed an unarmed suspect, Manuel Diaz, 25, following a brief foot pursuit on July 21, 2012. The officer has not faced criminal charges in either of the shootings he was involved in that year, but a federal jury in a civil case found that he did use excessive force in Diaz’s death.
Bennallack said that Diaz had ignored commands to stop, was reaching with both arms to his waistband, was glancing back at the officer during the pursuit and was turning toward him when he opened fire.
Bennallack testified that during the chase’s final seconds, after he and Diaz turned a corner into a courtyard, the officer believed he saw Diaz pull something out of the front of his waistband and turn toward him. No weapon was found at the scene.
Benallack remains on active duty with the Anaheim Police Department, Gold said.
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Calvin Petersen (40) goes for a save against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland (5) advances the puck against Los Angeles Kings left wing Adrian Kempe (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
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Vegas Golden Knights center Paul Stastny (26) is pursued by Los Angeles Kings center Michael Amadio (10) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after scoring in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings center Michael Amadio (10) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Ryan Reaves (75) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) celebrates with teammates after assisting on a power play goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Derek Forbort (24) vie for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings assistant coach Marco Sturm watches his team play the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Tyler Toffoli (73) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. The Kings defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Tyler Toffoli (73) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. The Kings defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) advances the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Calvin Petersen (40) comes up with a save against the Vegas Golden Knights during overtime of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. The Kings defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) reaches out for the glove save against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
Los Angeles Kings assistant coach Marco Sturm watches his team play the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Buglewicz)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tyler Toffoli sent the Los Angeles Kings into their holiday break with a little extra hope for the New Year.
Toffoli scored 1:40 into overtime to lift Los Angeles past the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Sunday night, marking the second straight night the Kings won in overtime after beating San Jose on Saturday.
It was Los Angeles’ third straight win overall, while it collected a point for the fifth time in six games. Los Angeles is trying to climb out of last place in the Pacific Division.
After Kings goalie Calvin Petersen made a series of spectacular saves to start overtime, Vegas defenseman Nate Schmidt turned his back on a streaking Toffoli, who caught the Golden Knights on a shift change. He took Oscar Fantenberg’s stretch pass and beat Marc-Andre Fleury on a breakaway with a wrist shot.
“I have no clue what their D-man was doing, but you know what, I’m not mad,” Toffoli said of Schmidt. “I’ve been getting some really good opportunities. Yeah, I wasn’t scoring but I thought my game was really in a good place. To score that, hopefully (we can) go on a little streak here and keep winning games, which is huge for us right now.”
Michael Amadio, Alex Iafallo and Jeff Carter also scored for the Kings, and Petersen stopped 22 shots.
After opening the season 4-8-1, Los Angeles fired coach John Stevens. Under interim coach Willie Desjardins, the Kings are 10-12-2 and eight points back of the second wild-card spot, albeit still in last place in the league with 31 points, tied with Chicago.
The Kings were swept by Vegas in the opening round of last season’s playoffs but are 2-0-0 against the Golden Knights this season.
“They had a tough series here last year in the playoffs and they wanted to find a way to win tonight,” Desjardins said. “Vegas has a good team, they play hard. It was nice for us to find a way to win though.”
It also marked the second consecutive night Vegas fell in overtime after losing at home to Montreal.
Fleury started for the second straight night and made 28 saves, facing 79 shots in the two games. The 15-year veteran, who swung and broke his stick on the side of the goal immediately after Toffoli scored, debunked the notion he may have been fatigued in playing on consecutive nights.
“I felt decent actually, it wasn’t too bad,” Fleury said. “It’s a grind sometimes, but we’ve done it throughout the season, throughout this year, and that’s no reason for losing the game. It’s frustrating. I want to make a difference. I want to make those saves to give our team a chance to win games, and I haven’t.”
Fleury leads all goalies with 34 games played and 2,019 minutes. The next closest goalie is Toronto’s Frederik Andersen, who has been in net 1,779 minutes.
Tomas Nosek, Reilly Smith and Ryan Reaves scored for Vegas, which dropped to 11-4-2 at home.
WHITTIER — A newborn baby was found abandoned in the Whittier area and a female was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment, authorities said Sunday.
A good Samaritan called police after finding the baby at 6 p.m. Saturday in the 11600 block of Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Ann Devane of the Pico Rivera station said.
“The newborn was alive and taken to a hospital and is expected to live,” Devane said.
Deputies contacted a female nearby “who had additional information,” the lieutenant said. She was arrested.
Additional information about the newborn and the suspect were not available because the case was turned over to the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau, Devane said.
Ivica Zubac had the other Lakers double-double tonight, dropping 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds 
