UC San Diego tops UC Irvine for Big West Tournament title, 1st NCAA tourney trip

• March 16, 2025

The frustration continues for the UC Irvine men’s basketball team, which again was denied a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Hayden Gray had 22 points (six 3-pointers) and top-seeded UC San Diego held off second-seeded UCI, 75-61, in the Big West Tournament championship game on Saturday night in Henderson, Nevada.

The win sends the Tritons to the NCAA Tournament in their first year of eligibility and denies the Anteaters, who were looking to make their third trip to the Big Dance and their first since 2019.

Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones had 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for UCSD (30-4), which beat UCI (28-6) for the second time in three meetings this season and won the eight-team Big West Tournament in its first try. Gray shot 6 for 7 from 3-point range as the Tritons went 12 for 29 from behind the arc and shot 49% overall.

Justin Hohn had 18 points and five rebounds to lead UCI, which shot just 35% from the field and just 8 for 29 from 3-point range. Devin Tillis added 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, and Bent Leuchten had 10 points and seven rebounds.

UCI has been the most consistently successful program in the Big West Conference for more than a decade but has just two trips to the NCAA Tournament to show for it (2015, 2019).

The Anteaters have won the Big West regular-season title seven of the past 11 years and have 10 20-win seasons in 15 years under Coach Russell Turner, but the conference tournament has been their trouble spot.

UCI, the runner-up to UCSD in the regular season, has won just once in its past five appearances in the Big West championship game and was upset in the semifinals as the tournament’s top seed in 2023 and 2024.

UCSD will learn the opponent, site and location for its first-round game when the 68-team bracket is revealed during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday at 3 p.m. PT (CBS, Ch. 2). The Tritons could also be placed into one of the First Four games that will be played Tuesday and Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio.

UCI will find out of it is selected for the NIT or another postseason tournament later Sunday.

Much more to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register 

Kings beat Predators in OT, extend win streak to 5 games

• March 16, 2025

LOS ANGELES — For anyone who had heard that the Kings had been dominant at home and arrived at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday evening to see them take on the Nashville Predators, there might have been some serious confusion, though the end result still tracked.

They put a scanty six shots on goal through two periods but ultimately prevailed, 1-0, in overtime, stretching their winning streak to five games and bumping their stellar home record to 23-3-4. For a second straight game, the win lifted them over the Edmonton Oilers, who ended the night one point back of the Kings for second place in the Pacific Division.

The massively disappointing Preds’ already-thin ranks were further depleted, and their legs were weary as well. They were without their best player and captain, defenseman Roman Josi (upper-body), and their top goalie, Juuse Saros. He was rested as a consequence of having played 22 hours earlier at Honda Center, where Nashville fell to the Ducks to snap a four-game winning streak.

Quinton Byfield scored his third overtime goal of the year and fourth game-winner overall. Darcy Kuemper stopped all 24 shots he faced for his 2nd straight shutout.

Justus Annunen stopped 20 of 21 pucks thrown at him for Nashville.

The Kings have won nine of 12 games against the top four teams by record in the NHL (Carolina, Dallas, Vegas, Washington and Winnipeg) but, even with Saturday’s win, only five of 11 against its bottom five clubs (Buffalo, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose and Seattle).

Even notable misses in regulation were tough to come by on Saturday. Joel Edmundson’s bomb of a one-timer from the point in the third period and a Vladislav Gavrikov shot-pass to create a chance in tight for Trevor Moore in the first stood out somewhat. For Nashville, Kuemper served up a giveaway in the high slot for leading scorer Filip Forsberg but recovered to make the save.

But OT belonged to the Kings, culminating in Adrian Kempe’s pass across for a redirection by Byfield, who’d received the puck back after gaining the zone off a stretch pass from Brandt Clarke. With 1:40 showing on the clock, Byfield replicated his feat from exactly a week earlier against St. Louis.

Quinton Byfield hit the post with a shot in the first minute, after a third period that saw the Kings more pucks to the net, 12, than they did in the other stanzas combined.

After putting just four strikes on net in the first period, the Kings followed it up with just two in the second as they shot the puck high, wide and into defenders repeatedly. Kuemper’s workload was also relatively light.

Twenty minutes came and went with a whimper, with the Kings attempting 21 shots but hitting the net just four times. Nashville produced a snooze of a first period just as it did at Honda Center a night earlier in a 2-1 loss to the Ducks.

​ Orange County Register 

Chatsworth boys basketball thwarted by Jesuit in bid for CIF state Division II title

• March 16, 2025

SACRAMENTO – Chatsworth’s quest for a CIF State boys basketball championship was stopped by an opponent that did everything well Saturday.

Jesuit of Carmichael moved the ball so well offensively that four of its players scored in double figures. The Marauders were 14 of 16 at the free-throw line and made eight 3-pointers. Jesuit committed only four turnovers, and its zone defense was active and outstanding.

All of that was too much for Chatsworth to overcome, as the Chancellors lost 66-53 in the CIF State Division II championship game at Golden 1 Center.

The Chancellors’ highlight was seeing senior Alijah Arenas became the first CIF LA City Section boys basketball player to reach 3,000 career points. The 6-6 guard, who has signed with USC and is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, scored 22 points to finish his high school career with 3,002 points. He is a young senior, too, having reclassified from a junior to a senior this school year.

Chatsworth, which lost to Westchester in the City Section Open Division championship game and then defeated Westchester in a CIF Southern California Regional final, finished the season 26-9. The Chancellors advanced to a state final for the second year in a row; they lost in the state Division IV final last season.

Arenas, a McDonald’s All-American, was the focal point of the Jesuit’s 2-1-2 zone defense. Any time Arenas got the ball inside of 25 feet, two or three Marauders would collapse on him.

Although Arenas is a fine passer when double- or triple-teamed, he was the only Chatsworth player to score in double figures. Arenas was 8 for 21 from the field including 1 of 7 on 3-point shots. He had four assists and seven rebounds.

Chatsworth coach Sam Harris was emotional about the loss. In his postgame press conference, he struggled to start his opening remarks.

“This is tough,” Harris said. “This is a special group right here. We just couldn’t knock down enough shots.”

RELATED: Sierra Canyon boys basketball proud of hard-fought win in state Division I final

He was proud that the Chancellors are a homegrown team.

“We took neighborhood kids to back-to-back state finals,” Harris said.

Arenas was disappointed that Chatsworth could not return to Southern California with a CIF State championship trophy.

“The moral of this story was just effort,” Arenas said. “They (the Marauders) had more heart. I feel like we should have stuck together a little bit more.”

Chatsworth 6-8 senior Taj Unuakhalu scored nine points and had a game-high 10 rebounds.

Jesuit (27-9) won its first CIF State boys basketball championship.

Marauders 6-3 freshman guard Maison Phillips scored 19 points including three 3-pointers and was 4 for 4 at the free throw line. Amaury McKinney scored 13 points and Luke Browne and Asher Schroeder scored 12 each for Jesuit.

Chatsworth had a 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter in which Arenas had five points.

Jesuit went on a 10-2 run to take a 19-15 lead three minutes into the second quarter. The Marauders, who scored eight points off of turnovers in the first half, carried a 29-25 advantage into halftime. Arenas had 11 first-half points.

Jesuit’s lead was seven points twice in the third quarter. V’Elijah Miller of Chatsworth made a 3-pointer to beat the end-of-quarter buzzer to knock the Chancellors’ deficit to three points, 43-40, going into the fourth quarter.

Browne made a 3 to start the final quarter in which Jesuit outscored Chatsworth 23-13. The Marauders played in those final eight minutes like they did in the previous 24 minutes, sharing the ball on offense while never faltering on defense.

Chatsworth boys basketball returning to state championships after beating Bakersfield Christian

Chatsworth boys basketball gets revenge against Westchester and a spot in regional final

​ Orange County Register 

Update: Winter weather advisory for Yosemite for Sunday and Monday – up to 12 inches of snow

• March 16, 2025

Yosemite was placed under an updated winter weather advisory by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 7:34 p.m. The advisory is valid from Sunday 11 p.m. until Monday, Mar. 17 at 11 p.m.

The NWS Hanford CA said, “Snow expected at elevations mainly above 6,000 feet Sunday night lowering to around 5,000 feet by Monday afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches with locally heavier amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.”

“Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage,” according to the NWS. “Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.”

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Yosemite
• Upper San Joaquin River
• Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge
• Kings Canyon NP
• Grant Grove area
• Sequoia NP

Winter driving guide: Tips from the NWS for safe and sound travels

Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and over 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it’s safest to assume that icy conditions exist on roadways and adjust your driving accordingly. Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture out, opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line, and immediately dial 911 if you come across one. Here are additional winter driving tips from the NWS:

Share your travel plans:

When traveling out of town in hazardous winter weather, inform your family or friends of your destination, planned route, and estimated time of arrival.

Prepare your vehicle:

Ensure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies, including a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.

Stay calm when stranded:

If you become stranded, remain composed. Inform someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting to walk to safety. Indicate that you need assistance by attaching a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror, and make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and flashers

Be aware of snow plows:

Keep an eye out for snow plows and allow them ample room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before embarking on your journey, check the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

These winter driving tips from the NWS are your key to a safer journey on snow-covered roads. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being during challenging winter weather.

​ Orange County Register 

1 of the newly hatched Big Bear eaglets has died, nonprofit says

• March 16, 2025

The Big Bear Valley eagle-watching community Saturday mourned the loss of one of the three newly hatched eaglets of Jackie and Shadow.

Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs two webcams that livestream the eagles’ nest, said Friday morning that during the first feeding, only two chicks were visible.

Then Saturday, the nonprofit announced on its website the missing chick had been spotted dead.

“We are sad to let everyone know that one of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks did not make it through the severe winter storm that brought over 2 feet of snow to the area. The chick’s passing happened some time after all three were observed together getting fed at 6 p.m. on (Thursday) 3/13,” the group announced. “We do not know what happened or why it passed. The shorter snow berm now makes that chick partially visible in the nest bowl, on the right side.”

It wasn’t known which of the three chicks, which hatched separately beginning March 3, had died because they were close in size.

“Please allow yourself to grieve and feel whatever you feel. Please honor the chick for its courage in getting as far as it did and doing whatever it came to do,” Friends of Big Bear Valley said.

​ Orange County Register 

K9 working dogs and handlers show their skills onboard the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro

• March 16, 2025

First responder dogs from various military and law enforcement units showed off their in-bred talents on Saturday, March 15 — Los Angeles K9 Veterans Day — with a working dog demonstration onboard the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro.

Dogs from the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, L.A. County Fire, California Highway Patrol, L.A. County Sheriff, and various other law enforcement agencies along with military units representing the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard took part.

The military’s K9 Corps was created on March 13, 1942, and National K9 Veterans Day has expanded to recognize the service and sacrifice of all first responder working dog teams.

This family-friendly event honored the heroic working dog teams from first responder agencies that perform security and life-saving missions every day throughout Los Angeles County. Missions supported by working dog teams include pursuing and apprehending dangerous suspects; detecting weapons, narcotics, explosives, and other illegal items; search and rescue; and protecting ports and military bases.

Attendees also learned what it takes to be a canine handler.

Special honor and recognition was paid to the search and rescue dog teams that deployed in support of the Palisades and Eaton fires.

​ Orange County Register 

Sailing’s global grand prix brings cheers and gasps amid wins and close calls on San Pedro coast

• March 16, 2025

The sun returned on Saturday, just in time for the first of two days of intense final competition among the world’s top Sail Grand Prix — SailGP — teams facing each other in the Port of Los Angeles Outer Harbor in San Pedro.

While there was no rain, the temperatures were unseasonably cool as 12 teams battled it out on the water with hydrofoil catamarans skipping through, on top of, and over the water at speeds of up to 60 mph. It was “lake-like” conditions on the LA harbor course off the southern coastline, said one announcer.

The weekend races in San Pedro were sold out after hitting full capacity — nearly 6,000 — of onsite spectators. But the races are also being streamed on YouTube. Nearly 8,000 tuned in to watch Saturday’s races remotely.

The Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix event this weekend is the fourth event in the sport’s 2025 season and featured the U.S. SailGP team defending its home waters. Competitors represented Australia, Great Britain, Germany, New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada, France, Brazil, Italy, Spain, and the United States.

Throughout the day’s races, nimble crew members scrambled on deck, dashing back and forth, from side to side on the vessels to even out the onboard weight as the teams navigated extreme turns and course corrections, all prone to causing a potential capsizing incident.

There were close calls as vessels had to “thread the needle” between other competitors on tight turns that brought near misses with 25-knot winds. Kelp frequently slowed some boats when the seaweed got caught on vessel undersides. Denmark hit a floating marker in the Saturday’s first competition taking that boat out for the remaining races of the, but it is expected to return for competition on Sunday.

The key advice offered by various crew members on the competing vessels during various broadcast interviews:  “keeping fast and keeping clear,” “finding space,” “finding a clear wind with no boats ahead for a nice lane” — and avoiding seaweed or hitting anything, of course.

Saturday’s race winners in each of the four competitions:

• New Zealand, Spain and Canada came in as top placers in the first race.
• New Zealand, Canada, and Australia took the lead in the second round.
• Australia, Brazil, and France led the third round.
• France, New Zealand, and Australia led in the fourth race.

The U.S. team came in 7th in the first race, 8th in the second, and 5th in the third and fourth races.

Additional races take place on Sunday.

Overall point rankings at the end of Saturday’s events stood at: New Zealand (1st), Canada (2nd), and Australia (3rd) — with the U.S. in seventh place.

The Port of L.A. course is one of the tightest and smallest on the sport’s calendar this season and has also competed to host sailing events at the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics (though it appears that the Long Beach coastline has nailed that hosting designation).

The tight quarters didn’t go unnoticed by competitors. “It’s tough going on such a tight race track,” one crew member commented on a quick broadcast interview.

The 12 teams registered — the first time all of them have gone up against each other this year for what is formally the sport’s fifth season — began gathering at the starting line shortly after 1 p.m. This was the fourth event of this season (there are 13 events overall to determine the top three winners of the season) and the next stop will be San Francisco.

In the nearby outdoor stands, fans cheered and watched the drama as it unfolded. A second day of finals takes place at the same L.A. Port Outer Harbor location from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 16.

Races 5 and 6 — the first races on Sunday — will include all competitors while the last race that day (7), will pit the top three against one another before the overall global competition moves on to Northern California.

The Port of L.A. event caught a break in the weather by as the heavy rains of the past few days had finally moved on. Temperatures topped out at around 60 degrees but were likely cooler on the water and at the coast.

The sport, formally founded in 2018, came to the Port of L.A. in July 2023 (toward the the sport’s end of that season) and now has returned for the earlier part of the 2025 season. There was some early competition among prospective hosts for the event this year as Long Beach challenged San Pedro for the 2025 Southern California honors.  Races are booked throughout the world during the several-month rollout of each season.

The aim of SailGP, founders have said, was to establish a commercially viable, fast-paced, global sailing race series that would grow and sustain a large audience.

Contributing to this report was correspondent Jo Murray 

​ Orange County Register 

Angels’ bats are quiet in loss to Brewers

• March 16, 2025

THE GAME: The Angels managed just five hits in a 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in a Cactus League game Saturday in Tempe, Arizona.

PITCHING REPORT: Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz was charged with three runs in 3⅓ innings. He gave up six hits, all singles on ground balls, and he walked three. “Obviously not my best stuff today,” Kochanowicz said. “Definitely want to limit the walks every time. I can’t really get too mad about ground balls when they sneak through, because that’s just the name of the game for me. So just really got to limit the walks.” Kochanowicz has allowed four earned runs in 12⅓ innings this spring. He is in the race for the No. 5 starter spot with Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth. … Left-hander Garrett McDaniels worked around two walks in a scoreless inning. McDaniels, a Rule 5 pick, has allowed one earned run in seven innings this spring. … Left-hander Brock Burke gave up his first run of the spring. He has pitched 6⅔ innings, with nine strikeouts and one walk. … Right-hander Michael Peterson pitched a scoreless inning, with two strikeouts. Peterson, a non-roster invitee who is in the running for a bullpen spot, has allowed two earned runs in 5⅔ innings this spring, with seven strikeouts. … Right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn worked a perfect inning. He has not allowed a run in 5 ⅔ innings this spring.

HITTING REPORT: Tim Anderson hit a line drive to left-center and legged out a double. He also hit a line drive into the gap, but it was caught by center fielder Garrett Mitchell as he slid. Anderson started the spring 2 for 17 (.118) but he’s gone 7 for 20 (.350) since. … Mike Trout drew a walk – after falling behind 0-and-2 – and he reached on an infield hit. Trout is 6 for 21 (.286) with an OPS of 1.102 this spring. He’s hit two homers and drawn seven walks.

DEFENSE REPORT: Second baseman Kyren Paris had trouble getting rid of the ball quickly enough to turn a potential double play. … Center fielder Jo Adell made a catch as he crashed into the fence. Adell, who is adjusting to center after playing right last season, has improved at the position throughout the spring. … Center fielder Matthew Lugo fully extended to make a nice running catch of a ball in the gap in left-center.

UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Kyle Hendricks) vs. San Diego Padres (RHP Dylan Cease), Sunday, 1:10 p.m. PT, at Tempe Diablo Stadium, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM

​ Orange County Register