Must-have pizza stones for home chefs

• February 8, 2025

Which pizza stone is best?

Whether you like pineapple or anchovies as a topping, making pizza from scratch is a fun and satisfying way to get your perfect pie every time. It’s also cheaper and usually healthier than pizza delivery or restaurant pizza.

While you could just use a regular baking sheet to cook your pizza, using a pizza stone is superior because it produces an evenly baked and crispy crust, just like your favorite pizzeria. For a versatile pizza stone that’s a favorite among professional chefs, the Heritage Black Ceramic Pizza Stone is our top pick.

What to know before you buy a pizza stone

How a pizza stone works

A pizza stone mimics the effect of a traditional brick pizza oven, primarily by absorbing large amounts of heat and spreading it evenly across the entire surface. The porous material of the pizza stone can draw water out of the dough, resulting in a dish that’s evenly cooked and crispy. If you preheat your pizza stone, the burst of extreme heat can also make the dough puffier.

How to use a pizza stone

First, preheat the oven with your pizza stone already inside. Once the oven is ready, slide your pizza onto the stone with a pizza peel. Cook the pizza until the cheese is bubbling and the crust begins to turn a golden brown. Once it’s ready, remove the cooked pizza from the stone and wait for it to cool!

Tips for using a pizza stone

• Don’t add cold dough to a hot pizza stone. This can sometimes cause a thermal shock that can crack the stone’s surface. Wait for your crust to become room temperature, or microwave it for 30 seconds.
• You can use a pizza stone as a replacement for a traditional baking pan. Try using the extreme heat provided by the stone to bake bread or roast vegetables.
• If you bake pizzas often, some users recommend leaving your pizza stone in the oven at all times. That prevents the risk of breaking the stone or causing thermal shock.
• Pizza stones are usually rather porous, so avoid using the platform to prepare any dishes with high amounts of oil or water.

What to look for in a quality pizza stone

Materials

Despite their name, pizza stones can be constructed from a wide variety of materials. Just like stone, many of these alternative materials are great at retaining heat and absorbing moisture.

• Clay: Perhaps the most traditional material used for pizza stones is lead-free clay, which produces a crispy crust but takes a long time to preheat.
• Ceramic: This material absorbs heat quickly and easily but is more fragile than other pizza stone types.
• Cast iron: You shouldn’t heat this heavy metal beyond 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but it’s a particularly durable and versatile material.
• Cordierite: This mineral is extremely durable and can absorb massive amounts of heat. It’s also commonly used for pizza stones because it’s resistant to thermal shock.

Pizza peel

Many pizza stones come with a special tool called a pizza peel. Resembling a large spatula with a wide end, this simple tool is typically made of wood and the easiest way to insert and remove a pizza from the oven.

How much you can expect to spend on a pizza stone

The price of a pizza stone can vary depending on the size of the stone and the quality of the materials used. Most consumers can expect to spend $20-$50 for a mid-tier stone, with high-end platforms costing up to $200.

Pizza stone FAQ

Do I need to wash my pizza stone?

A. Just like a cast-iron skillet, pizza stones shouldn’t be washed after each use. Simply use a slightly wet brush to scrape the surface of your stone. Avoid soap and excessive water, as the stone can absorb these, affecting the flavor of your pizza.

Can I put a pizza stone on a grill?

A. Yes! Pizza stones heat up exceptionally well when placed on a grill, just like the brick ovens in professional pizzerias.

What’s the best pizza stone to buy?

Top pizza stone

Heritage Black Ceramic Pizza Stone

What you need to know: This popular stone heats up extremely fast and comes with a free-wheeled pizza cutter.

What you’ll love: Made from ceramic with a durable cordierite coating, this pizza stone preheats twice as fast as similar products and is completely resistant to grease and burns. The nonstick glaze means you can use this stone again and again without any issues.

What you should consider: Although this stone is popular, some users are confused by the maintenance instructions.

Top pizza stone for the money

Cuisinart Pizza Stone

What you need to know: This glazed pizza stone is affordable and great for baking restaurant-style pizzas.

What you’ll love: The product is made with cordierite, which means you can cut the pizza directly on the surface. It heats up quickly and cooks pizzas evenly.

What you should consider: Some users feel this pizza stone is particularly fragile.

Worth checking out

Honey-Can-Do Old Stone Rectangular Baking Stone

What you need to know: This large, rectangular pizza stone uses the same old stone material as traditional brick ovens.

What you’ll love: The rectangular shape is convenient for larger pizzas, and the stone is made from durable, lead-free clay that absorbs heat and distributes it evenly. This stone also features a raised-edge design, so it’s much easier to remove from the oven.

What you should consider: It’s too heavy for some users to easily maneuver, while a few others report a distinct chemical smell.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

First Valentine’s Day together? Here’s how to find the right gift

• February 8, 2025

If you’re in a new relationship, you probably feel excited to share Valentine’s Day with a significant other and are likely eager to express your feelings with a special gift. Choosing a present that pairs well with the time frame you’ve been together leaves the right impression, but it can be challenging to decide on the perfect item.

To help you choose, we’ve put together a guide with gift suggestions for various phases in a relationship that’s less than a year old.

Valentine’s Day gifts for different phases of a new relationship

Dating less than 3 months

Celebrating Valentine’s Day together can be hard when your relationship is this new. To better understand your partner’s expectations, it’s important to talk about how they usually celebrate the day and to find out how much emphasis they place on it.

The usual chocolates or flowers can work here, as will a date night in, to take some of the pressure off. A small gift that shows them you care without coming on too strong is a good choice.

Mina Victory Shag Heart Throw Pillow

This heart pillow is simple, but it conveys the warm thoughts you have for your newly found companion. It’s also an affordable way to give a special gift on the holiday of love.

Barnett’s Chocolate Biscotti Cookies

Made with quality ingredients, including delicious chocolate, Barnett’s biscotti cookies make an excellent treat for Valentine’s Day or any occasion. They are a nice alternative to traditional boxes of chocolates.

Gloveleya Valentine’s Day Plush Teddy Bear

Teddy bears are hard to resist, especially this smiling cutie that can help you deliver a heartfelt message on Feb. 14.

Dating 3-6 months

At this point in the relationship, you likely know a solid amount about the other person, and you should be able to put a little more thought into your partner’s gift. Whether it’s a gift based on an inside joke, a particular interest, their favorite dessert or something traditional, use your judgment to find a gift that’s meaningful yet reasonably priced.

Godiva Chocolatier Valentine’s Day Assorted Chocolate Gift Box

Who can resist chocolate for Valentine’s Day? These chocolates are crafted by a celebrated chocolatier, and they’re a delicious gift for a relationship that’s progressing past the 3-month point.

The Bouqs Co. Valentine’s Day Arrangement

Flowers are classic for Valentine’s Day. This beautiful arrangement of roses, carnations and alstroemeria is the perfect way to show your partner you appreciate them.

A Gift Inside Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Strawberries and chocolate are a win-win. This pack of chocolate-covered strawberries shows how much you care and that you thought about something as sweet as them when you picked this special gift.

Dating 6-9 months

Once you’ve been dating for over 6 months, you should know what your partner likes and doesn’t. Are they a practical person? Do they love splurging? It’s best to base your gift on their personality rather than sticking to traditional Valentine’s Day rules.

Feel free to shop for sentimental gifts at this point in the relationship, as well as those that celebrate your special moments. Letting them know you’ve paid attention to the time you’ve spent together and that you’re looking forward to the future is important at this stage.

Ticket Stub Diary

Since you’re looking forward to new experiences and celebrating old ones, sentimental gifts like this ticket stub diary are thoughtful. It’s designed to hold ticket stubs and other keepsakes from the memorable times you share together.

Coach Eau De Parfum

Something elegant like a high-end perfume isn’t too sentimental but is great for this stage of your relationship. It shows you’re invested in your partner’s likes and dislikes when it comes to personal things like a signature fragrance.

Nintendo NES Classic Edition

If your Valentine loves gaming, give them something they’ll not only love but will love you for thinking of. This NES Classic gaming system will spark fond childhood memories.

M Mooham Lava Rock Bracelets

Simple yet stylish, this pair of natural stone bracelets shows that you were thinking of your new relationship when you shopped for Valentine’s Day. Drop your favorite essential oils on the lava rocks for a pleasant all-day scent.

Dating 9-12 months

If it’s your first Valentine’s Day and you’re coming up on a year of being together, the stakes are slightly higher. You’ll want to impress your partner and search for a gift that not only shows how much you care but also shows you’re planning to spend the near future with them.

Gifts don’t necessarily need to cost more at this stage, but they should mean more. A piece of jewelry, an experience (think concert or sports tickets) or a shared class together shows you’re invested in them and want to nurture the relationship.

One Year of Love Couple’s Game

After almost a year together, the One Year of Love game is sure to entertain. It’s a card game that includes fun ideas for couples and date night suggestions that will inspire new adventures as you embark on another year together.

Pavoi 14-Karat Gold-Plated Opal Necklace

This minimalist necklace is understated and attractive and comes in two different colors and a choice of four shapes that they’ll absolutely love.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera

This Fujifilm camera is inspiring for someone who loves documenting memories and likes the idea of having traditional photographs that appear with the touch of a button. It’s available in several fun colors, too.

PlayMakar MVP+ Percussion Massage Gun

Percussive therapy is trending for its ability to relieve pain and tension. When we tested the MVP+ Percussion Massage Gun, we were impressed with the results. Giving this device as a Valentine’s Day gift will show that you’ve been thinking of your love’s well-being.

Anne Klein Women’s Bracelet and Watch Set

Show how you really feel with a gift that will have them smiling and thinking of you every time they glance at it. This Anne Klein bracelet and watch set is elegant and versatile, which makes it as special as your 1-year partnership.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Coalition comes together to help as ‘Dena Heals’ in aftermath of Eaton fire

• February 8, 2025

To get to Tepito Coffee in Pasadena, you take the Lake Avenue exit to Colorado Boulevard. Mike de la Rocha can tell you a short drive north up Lake will reveal the still-uncleared rubble and ash of the Eaton Fire.

“This fire cut real close to home, so when the fires erupted, we had to close down and we just went into action,” said De la Rocha, co-owner of Tepito Coffee.

Action meant rounding up volunteers from the coffee shop and Homeboy Industries, a partner at Tepito that also trains baristas from Homeboy’s rehabilitation program for former gang members and the incarcerated. They delivered 300 coffee cakes and served coffee to wildfire victims and first responders, spending two weeks at the command center at the Rose Bowl doing the same for more than 2,000 firefighters and first responders.

A week after the fire erupted, a crew from Homeboy Industries spent a day at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, unloading a water delivery and cleaning the ash and dust from the sanctuary, chapel and hallways.

“It was really beautiful to give a sense of love in that moment,” De la Rocha said.

“Dena Heals,” is the result of that impulse and desire to help. The collaboration among Revolve Impact, Fabletics, Homeboy Industries, Botanica Melo, Savage Fenty, The Paseo and others provides a free shop and wellness center for individuals and families directly impacted by the Eaton Fire.

A Mutual Aid Marketplace opened on Jan. 30, and more than 600 people came through to pick up free clothing, including jackets and athletic wear. Healthcare workers got to pick from new scrubs. More than 300 pairs of shoes, Hydroflasks and glasses were also distributed.

An adjoining wellness center offered a sound bath, offering deep relaxation through healing sound vibrations. Children get their own space. De la Rosa also led a men’s healing circle, a space for men to get out of their comfort zones.

“We’re conditioned to hold everything and that leads to us getting sick or acting out in unhealthy ways, and this is a space to heal together and release,” he said.

The next men’s healing circle is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the wellness center. Organizers plan to hold one every other Thursday.

Healing circles are discussed De la Rosa’s book, “Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love,” which he wrote to normalize men asking for help and raising awareness about modes of healing.

Both the marketplace and wellness center will stay open until the end of April, recognizing the need for Pasadenans, especially members from Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, to gain a semblance of normalcy and dignity after trauma and loss.

Elena Esparza, alternative medicine practitioner, will lead a two-day community Karma Clinic Feb. 8 and 9, also at the wellness center. It will feature chiropractic and acupuncture as well as traditional healings such as limpias and song cleansings.

De la Rosa and Tepito co-owner Jose Arellano, who is also a vice president at Homeboy Industries, said they hope Dena Heals serves as a community hub that meets people’s material and emotional needs.

“Tepito’s open again and we had regulars come in and just break down, and all we can do is walk beside them in their pain, hold space alongside them,” De la Rocha said. “We want Dena Heals to be a resource, a place where folks feel welcome, like Tepito was a refuge even before the fires.”

Rev. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder and director of Homeboy Industries, in a video statement, said building a beloved community means doing many things with great love.

“We commit ourselves to walk with everyone who suffers during this time of great displacement and loss of life, and loss of belongings, to remind ourselves that our greatest treasure is each other,” he said.

Dena Heals is at 300 E Colorado Blvd, No. 150 and 151, in Pasadena. For more information, visit denaheals.com.

​ Orange County Register 

Philadelphia churches deliver fire aid to local faithful

• February 8, 2025

One month ago, Jonathan A. Mason asked Terry Lynn O’Donnell one question: “What are we going to do about California?”

Turns out, the answer is: plenty.

Mason, pastor of Northeast Baptist Church and O’Donnell, his contemporary at The Church of Christian Compassion, mobilized their combined congregation of 1,200 in working-class neighborhoods in Philadelphia to gather $25,000 worth of emergency supplies. Then they hired two semi-trucks to deliver the goods to California.

“This is the epitome of ‘I am my brother’s keeper,’” said Anthony McFarland, pastor and founder of LIFT International in Altadena. “When one is hurting, we’re all hurting and it’s no good until we come together.”

On Thursday, pastors from nine local churches and ministries, as well as the two pastors from Philadelphia, met the two trucks and unloaded supplies destined for fire victims. Darrin and Belen Doram, owners of the Grocery Outlet in San Gabriel, allowed the trucks to park in their lot and wait for church leaders to pick up the supplies.

Before the trucks arrived, Mason toured neighborhoods laid waste by the wildfire.

“This is what I saw: addresses with no more homes, columns with numbers and behind them, just shells and remains of houses. I saw cars parked in front of homes that were no more and families walking in the debris,” he said.

Mason said television coverage of the California wildfires did not feature communities of color “so it was important we impact communities who needed this and the pastors who lost churches and homes and are still helping.”

Aside from McFarland’s LIFT International, other churches and groups that received donations include Pasadena Church, Community Bible Church, Hillside Tabernacle City of Faith, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and Pasadena Community Coalition.

Their leaders unloaded everything from medical supplies, toiletries, water, baby formula, pet food, toys, cleaning supplies and non-perishable food for hours on Thursday, undeterred by rain.

“We thank the people of Philadelphia for their generosity and this heartfelt mission,” McFarland said.

For Mason, the campaign was personification of his mantra: “It’s a blessing to be a blessing.”

“Philly was really engaged in this,” he said, adding that support came from 30 community partners, from Baptist and other Christian churches to Philadelphia city leaders, fraternities, and businesses. Pennsylvania Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams paid for the cost of one of the semi-trucks.

The collection gathered such a surplus of supplies that after a medical jet crashed in a Philadelphia neighborhood on Jan. 31, the churches were able to donate to victims on the ground.

The Philadelphia pastors’ connection to Altadena was Mason’s Phi Beta Sigma fraternity brother Ron Carter, a public relations consultant who lost three structures on his Altadena property. His main house was one of three homes on his block that survived the fire.

“I’m struggling with survivor’s guilt and being able to give back helps,” Carter said. “This collaboration is a reminder that in the face of adversity, institutions can stand together as one to benefit the residents of different states.”

McFarland’s church on Lake Avenue, which he co-founded with his wife Micheline, as well as their home of 32 years, burned down in the Eaton Fire. Their pets, a four-year-old poodle named Ziggy and a cat named Sophie, also died in the fire. Of the 200 households in his church, 17 lost their homes and 26 remain displaced.

LIFT, which means Living In Faith Together, now uses a chapel at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Lake Avenue, meeting at 9:30 a.m. Sundays. Its daily 7 a.m. prayer line is going strong too, Micheline McFarland said.

“It’s always been about unity, and I believe God orders our steps,” she said. The church is showing up, especially when things are tough. It’s not for nothing, McFarland said, that the church’s website is liftaltadena.org.

She said while she’s still in shock, she is also trusting God and others to go the hard way together.

That camaraderie is inspiring, agreed Amara Ononiwu, acting director of fire aid and relief for the Clergy Community Coalition. Ononiwu, who is part of the pastoral team at Cathedral Church in Los Angeles, said one of the top priorities is finding housing for all the displaced.

“This is just one of many instances I’ve seen of people coming together,” Ononiwu said. “This is when you’ll see faith rise and do what we’re meant to do, which is love our neighbor.”

​ Orange County Register 

Long Beach State men’s volleyball beats UCLA in rematch of NCAA final

• February 8, 2025

LONG BEACH — The top-ranked Long Beach State men’s volleyball team remained unbeaten and earned a sliver of revenge on Friday night, defeating third-ranked UCLA, 3-1, at the Walter Pyramid in a rematch of their NCAA title match last spring.

Skyler Varga had 12 kills and Daniil Hershtynovich had 10 for Long Beach, which won, 25-21, 20-25, 25-16, 25-22. Moni Nikolov had seven aces, five kills and 35 assists, and Lazar Bouchkov led the team in blocks as LBSU (9-0) held the Bruins (6-2) to a .304 hitting percentage.

Zach Rama led UCLA with 15 kills and Cooper Robinson added 10 blocks and six digs for the Bruins, who defeated LBSU in four sets for their second straight national title last May at the Pyramid.

Long Beach stayed ahead of the Bruins (6-2) throughout the first set. LBSU held a 10-8 lead then extended the margin to 23-16, but the Bruins took five of the next six points to get within 24-21 before a UCLA service error ended the set.

UCLA found its rhythm in the second frame, but neither team built more than a two-point lead early. UCLA took a 9-7 lead on a Cameron Thorne kill and a David Decker ace, then went ahead 12-9 when Matthew Edwards hit one off the Long Beach block for a point. The Bruins went ahead by three again at 21-18 and rode that momentum to a set point at 24-19. Bouchkov kept Long Beach alive with a kill, but UCLA answered with a Rama kill to take the set and knot the match.

The third set stayed competitive with runs of momentum for both sides. A huge block from Nikolov and DiAeris McRaven gave Long Beach State its first lead of the set at 6-5, and another Nikolov ace pushed the lead to 11-7. McRaven continued to be a force at the net as he and Nikolov helped fuel a three-point run for a 17-11 lead. The pace of the match picked up as Long Beach opened a 22-15 lead. Nikolov’s fourth ace produced a set point and Long Beach took control of the match.

Nikolov added three aces to begin the fourth set and Long Beach opened a 12-8 lead before the Bruins ran off three points in a row. Long Beach surged ahead 23-18 before the Bruins closed to within 24-21 with Andrew Rowan serving. A Siapanis hit off the block created match point for Long Beach, and a UCLA service error ended it.

The teams will square off again on Wednesday night, this time at Pauley Pavilion.

​ Orange County Register 

Kevin Fiala extends hot streak as Kings beat Stars in shootout

• February 8, 2025

LOS ANGELES — A seesaw affair that saw a winning goal nullified with 36 seconds remaining in overtime still left the Kings elated by a 5-4 victory in a shootout with the Dallas Stars on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Warren Foegele, Kevin Fiala, Alex Laferriere and Anže Kopitar each scored a goal for the Kings. Fiala added an assist, as well as a shootout goal, and Phillip Danault had two assists. David Rittich had 26 saves.

Matt Duchene scored two goals for the Stars and set up Thomas Harley’s tally to earn his 500th career assist, with Mavrik Bourque adding a goal. Jake Oettinger made 33 saves.

Adrian Kempe scored to open the shootout and Fiala followed by converting to put Dallas down 2-0 with the only two goals in the shootout. It was apropos that Fiala finished the job, given that he had come an eyelash from deciding the result in overtime.

Overtime provided a fitting bonus session for the most sinewy, least predictable game of the Kings’ season so far, with both teams generating opportunities. Fiala appeared to win the game with 36.4 seconds left, but his searing one-timer was taken off the board due to what was deemed goaltender interference by Drew Doughty.

Fiala has five goals and an assist in the past three games, taking his run in the last 11 outings to 13 points with five multi-point showings.

Kopitar had not scored since his two-goal performance against Philadelphia on Dec. 29, but he picked a perfect moment to break out of his funk by redirecting Kempe’s pass into the net with his right skate for his 13th goal of 2024-25 with 8:20 left in regulation. The fortunate break was Kopitar’s 432nd career goal, breaking a tie with Dave Taylor for the third-most in franchise history.

The Stars had taken their first lead of the night on consecutive goals by Bourque (6:53) and Duchene (9:51).

Duchene scored his second goal of the game when he skated directly at Doughty and roofed a wrist shot far side without breaking stride.

Bourque scored the Stars’ second rebound goal of the night when he drove the net to find a Jamie Benn shot that clanked calamitously off Rittich’s left leg.

Dallas threatened early in the final frame when Oscar Bäck dinged the inside of the left post before Mason Marchment had a menacing chance. The Kings then had their opportunities, but Kempe missed an open net from close range and Quinton Byfield couldn’t finish a two-on-one rush after being disrupted by Harley.

After 40 minutes, the Kings led 3-2 thanks to a goal-of-the-year candidate and a gritty effort to regain the lead following an opportunistic score by Dallas.

Byfield recovered the puck just after Dallas took full possession of it, keying a sequence that set him up with a one-timer trailing the play. Though his shot attempt thudded off the end boards, it hit Oettinger’s skate and came to Laferriere to the Kings’ second tap-in tally of the evening. Laferriere’s 14th goal broke a tie at 11:43 that resulted from the teams trading goals at the 9:29 and 8:16 marks.

The Stars pulled even for the second time after they won a protracted board battle and made that possession count. Cody Ceci recorded his first point as a Star after his point blast produced a juicy rebound and Harley, who had smoked Trevor Moore for position, picked up the loose change.

That avenged a stunning goal by Fiala.

Dallas defenseman Liam Bichsel was smarting from a blocked shot and left without a stick while isolated with Fiala, who spun Bischel around completely with his stickhandling before launching a shot between Bischel’s legs and up over the shoulder of Oettinger. Fiala now has 21 goals for the season and five in his past three games as part of a stretch with 13 points in 11 games.

Momentum shifted from the Kings to the Stars late in the first period, allowing the visitors to head to the dressing room with a stalemate.

Dallas piled up the final six shots of the first period and forged together a sequence in which it had six shot attempts in nine seconds with Rittich under siege. Though the Kings survived that onslaught in the final minute, they allowed a buzzer-beater to knot the score.

Duchene received the puck back from Brendan Smith, who fought the Kings’ Tanner Jeannot after the period concluded, and went to work. Duchene’s spin move combined with a slight bump from Mikael Granlund shook Joel Edmundson, while Vladislav Gavrikov hedged to take away inside ice, opening up a shooting angle for Duchene’s equalizer with two seconds showing on the clock.

It took just 11 seconds for the Kings to score when Danault banked a shot off Oettinger’s pad that found Foegele for his 13th goal of the campaign.

The Kings also registered nine of the game’s first 10 shots on goal but could only find the net once.

More to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register 

UCLA gymnastics posts season-best score to beat Washington

• February 8, 2025

SEATTLE — The sixth-ranked UCLA gymnastics team put together its best team score of the season for a 197.950-196.125 victory over Washington on Friday night. The Bruins (7-2 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) surpassed their previous best by four-tenths of a point and hit all 24 of their routines, including 14 scores of 9.9 or higher.

UCLA swept the individual events, with Chae Campbell capturing the all-around title with a season-best 39.625 and winning the vault with a season-best 9.925. Frida Esparza tied her career best with a 9.950 to win the uneven bars for the third time this season. Ciena Alipio and Emma Malabuyo tied for first on the balance beam with scores of 9.950, a new career-best mark for Alipio. Jordan Chiles and Brooklyn Moors tied for first in the floor exercise with 9.950s.

The Bruins began the meet with a season-high 49.450 on the uneven bars. All six UCLA competitors scored 9.850 or higher. Campbell led off with a strong 9.850 after hitting all of her handstands. Mika Webster-Longin followed with a career-high 9.925. Like Webster-Longin ahead of her, Malabuyo stuck her full-twisting double back dismount and scored a 9.850. Macy McGowan earned a 9.850, then Esparza turned in her meet-winning 9.950. Chiles closed the strong showing with a 9.875.

UCLA maintained its nine-tenths of a point lead after scoring 49.325 on the vault in rotation two, the third consecutive meet the Bruins have scored 49.3 or better. Campbell led the team with a near-perfect 9.925 on a huge stuck Yurchenko full. Moors also hit a season-high with a stuck 9.900, and Chiles and McGowan each contributed 9.850s. Emily Lee scored 9.800, and Webster-Longin hit another career-high with a 9.775.

The Bruins extended their lead to more than a point (148.325-147.150) after scoring a 49.575 on the floor. Each Bruin scored 9.850 or better, led by Moors and Chiles with their 9.950s. Campbell received a 9.925, Malabuyo earned a 9.900 and McGowan and Lee each scored 9.850.

UCLA closed the meet with a dazzling effort on the balance beam. All six Bruins scored 9.900 or higher. Lee led off with a 9.900, and Chiles matched it for her season-best. Campbell matched her career high with a 9.925, and Moors and Alipio hit new career-best marks with a 9.900 and 9.950, respectively. Malabuyo ended the meet with another 9.950 to bump UCLA’s beam score to 49.625, the sixth-best beam total in program history.

UP NEXT

The Bruins play host to Penn State next Friday at 8 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion.

​ Orange County Register 

Woodbridge girls water polo keeps cool to sink Buena Park in second round of Division 2 playoffs

• February 8, 2025

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Blood spilled but composure prevailed.

That was the theme for Woodbridge’s girls water polo team Friday night as it reacted positively to adversity in a 9-6 triumph against visiting Buena Park in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.

With Woodbridge coach Alex Farraro encouraging her players to maintain their composure, the Warriors (20-10) scored three consecutive goals in the fourth period after the Coyotes (16-16) drew within one goal.

Woodbridge sophomore Ellie Kruger sparked the surge by narrowly beating the shot clock with a perimeter strike for a 7-5 lead with 3:34 left in regulation.

Lena DeLand and Mia Matulewicz — also both sophomores — added goals over the next two minutes as the Warriors advanced to Wednesday’s quarterfinals against visiting Downey.

“We do good under pressure,” said Woodbridge’s Sareen Sardarian, who scored a match-high three goals. “We talk a lot (as a team). We keep it under control. We know how to keep our composure.”

“We’ve been working hard for this,” the junior added. “We’ve learned to work together a lot more.”

Sardarian, a center, showed her composure in the second period. She briefly left with a bloody nose but returned later in the quarter to score on a sweep shot from center to give Woodbridge a 4-2 lead at halftime.

Sardarian then scored the first two goals of the second half — raising her season-total to 105 — as the Warriors took control.

“I’m used to it, I guess,” she said of the physical play. “I take a lot of physical pressure as a center but it didn’t really affect me.”

Junior Uma Mahajan drew the penalty and exclusion that led to Sardarian’s goals in the third.

Woodbridge also received clutch play in the third period senior goalie Camryn Adams, who made four of her 12 saves.

Adams made one save against the power play as the Warriors held Buena Park to 1 for 5 with the extra attacker in the frame. Buena Park finished 2 for 7 overall on the power play while Woodbridge went 1 for 4.

“I knew it be a battle,” said Farraro, whose team beat the Coyotes 8-5 early in the season, “(Buena Park) has a great goalie (in Jayden-Starr Smith).”

“It got quite exciting (with the third period exclusions),” the coach added. “We had to regain composure after that and just slow them down.”

Smith finished 13 saves to help lead the senior-laden Coyotes.

Brianna Mora tossed a lob shot to cut Woodbridge’s lead to 6-5 with about four minutes left in the fourth.

Emma Chagollan netted two goals to finish the season with 105 goals.

“It’s a whirlwind of emotions because I taught all those girls how to swim,” said Buena Park coach Shane LaFortune, whose squad won the first league title in school history. “A few years ago, we were Division 6. Now we’re Division 2 with no club kids.”

Also in Division 2:

El Toro 15, La Serna 9: Arizona State-bound Lulu Gaetano scored six goals, Mallory Taylor netted four and Cat Abdella added three goals and two assists as the top-seeded Chargers (21-8) won their first playoff game under first-year coach Russell Renteria. El Toro plays host to Buena in the quarterfinals.

In Division 3:

Portola 10, Santa Monica 8: Junior Alexis Minasyan had three goals and seven steals and junior goalie Giselle Lu made seven saves to lead the Bulldogs (14-9), who play at Flintridge Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals.

In Division 4:

Aliso Niguel 12, Crean Lutheran 7: Leyla Pfeiffer made 14 saves, Ellie Stagner scored three goals and Kate Burkitt added two goals and four steals as the Wolverines (17-9) reached the quarterfinals for the first time.

Troy 10, Roosevelt 9: Blessing Cheng and Anisha Aluwihare helped lead the Warriors (14-12), who play host to Upland in the quarterfinals.

In Division 6:

Anaheim 13, Edgewood 8: Layla Gonzalez netted seven goals and Hannah Grubbs added three goals and three steals to pace the Colonists (9-10).

​ Orange County Register