Reports: Clippers to host 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome

• January 13, 2024

The Clippers are finalizing an agreement with the NBA to host the 2026 All-Star Weekend at the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The Athletic was the first to report the plans.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who privately financed the $1.8 billion arena located near SoFi Stadium, will meet with reporters on Tuesday. He is expected to be accompanied by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who will announce the site of the 2026 game.

The 17,700-seat Intuit Dome is scheduled to open in August, ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Los Angeles last hosted NBA All-Star Weekend in 2018 at Crypto.com Arena, which was then known as Staples Center. L.A. has hosted the midseason event six times (1963, 1972, 1983, 2004, 2011, 2018), more than any city in the league.

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According to an ESPN report, the Kia Forum, which is also owned by Ballmer, will play some role in the All-Star Weekend festivities for the first time since it hosted the 1983 game.

The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend will be held next month in Indianapolis, followed by the 2025 All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.

​ Orange County Register 

Defense sparks Trabuco Hills boys basketball’s lopsided win over Capistrano Valley

• January 13, 2024

MISSION VIEJO — The Trabuco Hills boys basketball team used its senior leadership and experience to overwhelm Capistrano Valley in a 57-36 rout Friday at Capistrano Valley High.

The game was the South Coast League opener for Trabuco Hills (16-5, 1-0), which is ranked No. 11 in the Orange County Top 25.

Capistrano Valley (11-11, 1-1) was coming off a 40-39 win over Tesoro in its league opener Wednesday.

“It doesn’t matter what the records are, to come in here and get a win at Capo, specifically to start league, is massive,” Trabuco Hills coach Sean Sullens said.

It was the first time Trabuco Hills has won a game at Capo Valley since 2013 when the Mustangs won 48-46. That victory was Sullens’ first time facing the Cougars as the head coach at Trabuco Hills.

Trabuco Hills’ defense sparked the lopsided result Friday. The Mustangs allowed just seven second-chance points and nearly all of Capo Valley’s shots were contested.

Sullens credits the team’s seniors for the defensive success.

“When you start five seniors, you should defend like we did tonight,” Sullens said. “The five senior starters all have experience starting in the South Coast League and with our length, it’s good to hold them to 36.”

“We didn’t want anything to be easy and realistically nothing was.”

A key to the Mustangs’ success on both ends of the court was center Matt Mowers, who was playing in his first game after missing a month due to injury. The senior had nine points with six assists and two blocks.

“He’s kind of like a safety blanket for us,” senior Sam Meza-Tallada said of Mowers. “It feels great to have him on our side.”

Meza-Tallada led the Mustangs with 13 points, and nine of his points came in the second quarter when the Mustangs built a 20-point lead.

Arshia Amini had nine points for Trabuco Hills and Jordan Nguyen had eight points, six rebounds and four assists.

Trabuco Hills shot 50 percent from 3-point range in the first half and 41 percent for the game.

“We weren’t rushing anything,” Sullens said. “In games that we have struggled, we were shooting early-shot clock 3s. Nearly all of our 3s were quality, open shots that we would give ‘A’ grades to.”

Gabe WIlliams led the Cougars with nine points on three 3-pointers. Tyler Davis gave the Cougars quality defensive minutes off the bench and had two steals.

Both teams and their coaches seemed to enjoy the atmosphere Friday, which featured a nearly full gym with loud groups of student sections from both schools.

“It’s fantastic,” Sullens said. “Any time we play another team in South County, the kids know each other. The crowds are fantastic and we love it.”

The Cougars will host San Juan Hills in a league game Wednesday.

Trabuco Hills will play its first home game of the season Wednesday against Tesoro.

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​ Orange County Register 

Canyon boys basketball, minus its top scorer, beats Villa Park in Crestview opener

• January 13, 2024

ANAHEIM — The Crestview League boys basketball opener between Villa Park and Canyon on Friday at Canyon High School was played at a frenetic pace for most of the first half.

But because of missed shots and turnovers by both teams, the low score didn’t match the fast pace.

The contest was played at a more controlled pace in the third quarter and that’s when the Comanches began to take control.

Canyon led by five at the half, then extended the lead to 11 in the third quarter and while the home team had some difficulty putting the game away down the stretch, the Comanches had enough of a cushion to hold on for a 54-50 victory.

“Yeah, it was sloppy,” Canyon coach Nate Harrison said. “Big crowd and a big game. I felt like we took control of the game in the third quarter and then just turnovers late allowed them to stay in the game, but yeah, I’m proud of our kids.”

The victory is the eighth in a row for the Comanches (16-4, 1-0), who have won the past three without their leading scorer Jaden Goodall.

Harrison had no information Friday on the nature of Goodall’s injury or how long he will be sidelined.

“We don’t know what the prognosis is yet,” Harrison said. “So we’ve been battling. He’s important to us and we’ve just been battling to keep our head above water.”

Josh Goodall, Jaden’s twin brother and Canyon’s second-leading scorer, has picked much of the slack during his brother’s absence.

Josh Goodall scored 20 points to lead Canyon on Friday, including back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Comanches a 37-26 lead midway through the third quarter.

Canyon led by 11 early in the fourth quarter when the Spartans (11-11, 0-1) went on a 9-2 run and were within four with 2:32 remaining.

A pair of free throws by Staf Yilmazturk gave the Comanches a seven-point lead with 40 seconds remaining, which was too much of a deficit for the Spartans.

Harrison had plenty of praise for Villa Park’s Malakhi Johnson, who scored 10 of his team-leading 19 points in the fourth quarter.

“A lot of credit to Malakhi, who just played a phenomenal basketball game,” Harrison said. “That kid really wanted it. He played really hard and played with his heart.”

Villa Park coach Kevin Reynolds said his team accomplished its goal defensively, which was to hold Canyon to under 55 points.

A long scoring draught by the Spartans in the first half was a key factor in the loss, Reynolds said.

“I thought we had shots but we couldn’t make them,” Reynolds said. “We thought we would get a little more offense than we did.”

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​ Orange County Register 

Youthful Los Amigos boys basketball races past Loara to stay unbeaten in league

• January 13, 2024

ANAHEIM — Los Amigos boys basketball has a roster with just one senior on it, so coach DeAndre Ferguson notes that “growing pains” have been a theme this season for the Lobos.

However, their youth was not a deterrent as they defeated Loara 63-46 in a Garden Grove League game Friday night at Loara High.

Los Amigos improved to 13-6 overall and 3-0 in league play as they were led by a sophomore, Mekhi Belote, who had a game-high 23 points, and a freshman, Marc Basallo, who scored 13 points.

“They are going through the growing pains,” Ferguson said of his team. “And they’re slowly coming out of it, but there’s many more (games). They (Belote and Basallo) had a great night tonight but it was a team effort.”

Lobos guard Tomas Pacheco and teammate Joshua Martinez both had eight points, and Rich Toledo played great defense on Saxons center Markus Toscano, an all-league selection last season.

Toscano grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked two shots but was held to eight points.

“Richie (Toledo) is special, he’s an impact player, no matter what,” Ferguson said. “He brings a lot to the table. If it’s not scoring, its rebounding and defense. He shows up in other ways,”

Toledo collected 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Loara coach Mohammad Abuhadwan credited Los Amigos for its defensive effort on Toscano.

“They have a lot of length to match him,” Abuhadwan said. “I thought they did a good job getting a hand up on him, they were physical with him, and their athleticism was a factor against us.”

Los Amigos jumped out to a 8-1 lead in the first quarter before the Saxons (13-7, 2-1) settled in and chipped away at the deficit thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Raska Neak.

Neak finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers and Aaron Cortez added 11.

Belote was active in the opening quarter, scoring eight points.

Loara tied the game 14-14 to end the quarter when Cortez drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Lobos outscored Loara 15-5 in the second quarter and took a 29-19 lead into halftime.

Los Amigos and Loara went back and forth in the third quarter with Basallo knocking down three 3-pointers during the eight-minute period.

That helped the Lobos keep a 10-point advantage thanks to the clutch shooting from Basallo.

“That’s a special point guard right there,” Ferguson said of Basallo.

Belote scored 10 points in the fourth to help the Lobos pull away while Gerald Loadholt added six points.

The Lobos continue league play next week when they face La Quinta while Loara will look to bounce back against Santiago.

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​ Orange County Register 

JSerra boys basketball holds off Santa Margarita following suspension of coach

• January 13, 2024

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — JSerra’s boys basketball team took the court Friday for another Trinity League showdown, but this time without its head coach.

Seniors Aidan Fowler and Sebastian Rancik made sure the Lions passed the challenge.

Fowler sparked a second-quarter run and Rancik returned from illness to make a key block in the final minute to the help No. 2-ranked JSerra defeat visiting No. 3 Santa Margarita 47-39 to even its record in league.

Fowler, a high-energy point guard, scored a game-high 17 points and added four assists for the Lions (17-3, 2-2). Rancik scored a highlight basket at the end of the first half en route to 10 points and blocked a layup with 48 seconds left in regulation to protect a 44-37 lead.

“We always say: good teams are led by coaches. Great teams are led by players,” Fowler said. “We have a lot of seniors on our team and we know how to compete. Even though we do miss Coach Keith (Wilkinson), we do know how to run the show.”

Senior Korin Hull, playing with a wrapped hand, came off the bench to grab seven rebounds for JSerra while freshman Godschoice Eboigbodin grabbed 10 boards. Both forwards also blocked a shot.

The Lions faced their first major test since Wilkinson’s shoe-throwing ejection with officials during a loss at Mater Dei on Jan. 5.

Wilkinson served a mandated one-game suspension Wednesday in a 59-42 victory against No. 16 Orange Lutheran. He accepted an additional five-game ban to make his suspension six total games, the CIF Southern Section announced hours before tipoff Friday.

The sixth-year coach and former USC player also apologized for his behavior with officials.

“I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I apologize for allowing my emotions to get the best of me,” he said in a statement released by JSerra. “I respect the game of basketball, players, coaches, officials, and fans. I want to thank CIF for being patient and hearing my concerns.

“Finally, I want to thank the school president, principal, athletic director, and the JSerra Catholic High School community for their unwavering support.”

Assistant coach C.J. Cooper served as the Lions’ interim coach.

Santa Margarita (15-6, 2-2) forced five turnovers in the opening period and followed seven points from Dallas Washington to lead 11-7 early.

Fowler sparked a 10-0 run the second period erased an eight-point deficit and helped JSerra lead 21-16 at halftime. He capped the second period with a long assist to the Colorado-bound Rancik, who spun in a reverse layup just before the buzzer.

JSerra kind of highlight tonight Fowler Rancik, senior dynamic duo stepped up tonight v SM ⁦@JSerra_Hoops⁩ ⁦@JSerraAthletics⁩ pic.twitter.com/fzeo9DxnRN

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) January 13, 2024

Fowler erupted for 10 points in the third period and opened the fourth with an assist to Ranick for a 3-pointer in the corner. The basket opened a 40-22 but the Eagles made it close behind 10 points in the fourth by senior Jonathan Moxie.

Moxie sank two 3-pointers in the fourth and was the only Santa Margarita player to reach double figures.

JSerra plays at Servite next week before traveling to St. John Bosco on Jan. 19 to begin the second half of league.

“We want our revenge on Bosco and Mater Dei,” Fowler said. “We have to take care of Servite next but we’re ready.”

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​ Orange County Register 

Southern California natives Savy King, Ally Lemos begin their NWSL careers early

• January 13, 2024

ANAHEIM — Savy King made the decision to leave North Carolina after her freshman season.

The choice, although a difficult one, paid off as she was selected No. 2 overall in Friday’s NWSL Draft by expansion team Bay FC.

“It was hard because of how much I really loved it,” King said of North Carolina. “It helped me grow so much as a person and as a player, it’s been such an amazing journey there and such an amazing season, but this was definitely the next step in my dream.”

King followed her North Carolina teammate Ally Sentnor to the Anaheim Convention Center stage as Sentnor went No. 1 to the other expansion team – the Utah Royals.

“It’s a testament to the amazing program that it is,” King said. “I love UNC so much, it’s my second home, I’m so happy I got to go there and spend one year there and be coached by amazing coaches and Ally and I get to share this amazing moment.”

King is the third-youngest player (18 years, 11 months) ever selected in the NWSL Draft.

Glendora native Ally Lemos, who left UCLA after her sophomore season, was selected ninth by the Orlando Pride.

“This is surreal,” Lemos said. “It’s a dream come true. The little kid in me is absolutely screaming.

“After I chose UCLA as my next home, I didn’t think I would be leaving. It was a really difficult decision, but I just felt that I was ready for something bigger, the professional challenge. It was a difficult decision, but my parents, brothers, teammates, coaches gave me the confidence to fully, truly bet on myself.”

In two seasons at UCLA, Lemos made 44 appearances, scoring three goals with 11 assists.

“I was back and forth (on deciding to leave early), because UCLA is a special place,” Lemos said. “My sisters are there, my teammates, I see them as a my sisters. My coaches are like my family. It was a really tough decision, but I felt I was ready to endure the professional challenges.”

Lemos is the fourth-youngest player (19 years, 10 months) to be selected in an NWSL draft.

UCLA forward Reilyn Turner (Laguna Beach High) was selected sixth overall by Racing Louisville. In four years at UCLA, Turner scored 42 goals. Turner was the Pac-12 Forward of the Year.

The next pick, Penn State defender Kate Wiesner (Monrovia High) was selected by the Washington Spirit. Wiesner played four seasons at Penn State (71 games).

Stanford defender Kennedy Wesley went 12th in the first round to San Diego Wave FC. Wesley, from Los Alamitos, attended Valley Christian High then played five seasons at Stanford, making 104 appearances.

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USC’s Zoe Burns was the first pick of the third round (No. 29 overall), going to Utah.

ANGEL CITY SELECTS FELICIA KNOX

Angel City didn’t have a pick until No. 37, and the club used it on Alabama midfielder Felicia Knox. Knox made 87 appearances in four seasons at Alabama, scoring 18 goals and adding 31 assists.

ANGEL CITY ACQUIRES MIDFIELDER

In a pre-draft trade, Angel City acquired midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard from San Diego Wave FC in exchange for $40,000 in allocation.

Dougherty Howard made 17 appearances last season with San Diego. She has also spent time with the Washington Spirit (2017-2020) and Orlando Pride (2021-2022).

​ Orange County Register 

California’s budget deficit will test if school spending is the key to achievement

• January 13, 2024

When California’s governors and legislators write state budgets, they begin with projecting how much revenue the state is likely to receive.

It’s a semi-educated guess that is often billions of dollars removed from the eventual reality, given the high level of volatility in the state’s taxation system.

With a revenue number in hand, officialdom then calculates how much of it must be allocated to public schools under Proposition 98, the 1988 ballot measure that governs financing of K-12 schools and community colleges.

It’s roughly 40%, but since the revenue assumption is shaky at best, Prop. 98’s complex formulas are subject to varying interpretations. The calculation also includes estimates of local property taxes, so the number that emerges for schools is also rather arbitrary.

Whatever the figure may be in any given year, it never precisely squares with reality, which then requires reconciliation in the next budgetary cycle. The 2024-25 budget that Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed this week exemplifies the annual exercise.

When he and the Legislature agreed on a 2023-24 budget last June, they decided that Prop. 98 would give schools, in property taxes and state aid, $110.6 billion in 2021-22, $107.4 billion in 2022-23, and $108.3 billion in 2023-24.

This week’s budget declares that those numbers are cumulatively $11.3 billion too high since revenues are running well under previous estimates. Meanwhile, the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, had calculated that they are $21 billion too high because his revenue estimates are lower than the governor’s.

The differing revenue estimates – and the equally divergent calculations of school financing – together account for most of the $30 billion-plus gapbetween Newsom’s estimate of a $38 billion deficit and Petek’s $68 billion estimate.

By tapping into a special reserve fund for schools, Newsom’s budget proposal makes up most of his $11.3 billion shortfall between what Prop. 98 requires and what school officials thought they would be getting over the three-year period, thereby shielding them from having to absorb big reductions in money they’ve already spent.

However, if Petek’s more pessimistic revenue estimate turns out to be closer to reality than Newsom’s, schools could take big hits and state officials would face pressure to change how schools are financed and how state aid, whatever the level, is allocated.

The latter generally is based on attendance – so much for each student, with bonus allocations to school districts with substantial numbers of English learners or students from poor households to help them overcome a chronic achievement gap in basic academic skills.

Newsom’s proposed budget projects that K-12 schools will receive $126.8 billion in 2024-25 from local property taxes, state aid and federal funds, or an average of $23,519 per student.

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That’s double what it was a decade ago, but there’s no indication that the sharp increase in school spending has resulted in a commensurate increase in academic achievement. The state’s own competency tests, as well as nationwide tests, show little, if any, overall improvement and the achievement gap is as wide as ever.

Per-pupil financing is likely to increase in the years ahead because public school enrollment is declining and Prop. 98’s formula is largely based on revenue, regardless of how many students are in the system.

K-12 enrollment peaked at 6.3 million in 2004, is now below 6 million and is expected to drop to under 5 million in the next decade due to low birthrates and the state’s overall population decline.

It will test whether money is truly the key to educational achievement, as the education establishment contends, or other factors are preventing California kids from realizing their potential.

Dan Walters is a CalMatters columnist.

​ Orange County Register 

Paul George leads Clippers past short-handed Grizzlies

• January 13, 2024

By CLAY BAILEY The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Paul George scored a season-high 37 points, Kawhi Leonard added 22 and the Clippers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-119, on Friday night.

George connected on 12 of 18 shots from the field, going 7 for 10 from 3-point range, in his sixth game this season with at least 30 points. Leonard, who signed a three-year $152.4M contract extension on Wednesday, was 10 of 16 from the field.

Amir Coffey had 13 points, making all six of his attempts as the Clippers shot 55% from the floor.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 21 points, and Xavier Tillman finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. David Roddy scored 17.

Desmond Bane had 15 points for the injury-riddled Grizzlies before leaving in the third quarter when he hurt his left ankle on a drive to the basket.

Shortly after Bane’s departure, the Clippers pushed their lead to 23 points. They were still shooting above 61% overall and 52% from behind the arc at the end of the third.

The Clippers’ recent success – winning eight of nine and 22 of their past 28 games – has moved them into fourth place in the Western Conference ahead of a showdown with first-place Minnesota on Sunday.

Memphis continues to deal with a season full of injuries. Leading scorer Ja Morant, who was suspended 25 games to start the season for twice waving a gun on social media, underwent surgery on his right shoulder Thursday and is done for the season.

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Immediately after that, the team announced his backup, point guard Marcus Smart, injured his right ring finger and will be re-evaluated in six weeks. They were part of a half-dozen Memphis rotation players out with injuries against the Clippers.

Meanwhile, the Clippers were at full strength, which showed in the second quarter. They outscored Memphis 42-27 in the period, shooting 76.2%, including 7 for 10 from long range. That stretched the lead to 65-53 at the break.

UP NEXT

The Clippers play at Minnesota on Sunday at 4 p.m. PT.

​ Orange County Register