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    After decades apart, families reunite in Fountain Valley
    • October 25, 2023

    Laura Ramirez drove down to Fountain Valley from Sacramento with one thing in mind – seeing her parents for the first time in almost 25 years.

    Ramirez was among dozens who gathered at a Curacao store in Fountain Valley to reunite with elderly family members from Jalisco, Mexico. The visit was made possible through a partnership Curacao has with Fundación Jalisco USA, a nonprofit dedicated to bettering the social, economic and educational development of people from the Mexican state.

    After 24 years, Gerardo Ruelas Gonzalez is reunited with his parents from Mexico, Andrea Gonzalez Alonso and Felipe Ruelas Perez in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Twenty-five families took part in the reunification event that was sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA, a non-profit organization that aims to better the social, economic, and educational development of people from the Mexican state of Jalisco. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Andrea Gonzalez Alonso is emotional after arriving from Mexico and being reunited with her son, Gerardo Ruelas Gonzalez, after not seeing him for 24 years. The event in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 was sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Emily Velasco, 8, waits with anticipation and a bouquet of flowers for her grandma to arrive from Mexico during a reunification event sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    After years and even decades of not seeing their loved ones living in the U.S., 25 Mexican families arrive in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, to be reunited. The event was sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA, a non-profit organization that aims to better the social, economic, and educational development of people from the state of Jalisco. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Families wait in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, to finally see their loved ones who arrived from Mexico. The reunification event, sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA, joined 25 families with relatives many had not seen in more than two decades. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Families wait with gifts for their loved ones to arrive from Mexico. Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA, a non-profit organization that aims to better the social, economic, and educational development of people from the state of Jalisco, sponsored the event in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Martha Lara arrives from Mexico and gets the first look at her relatives living in the U.S., including two sons she had not seen in 2o years. The reunification event in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, was sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA . (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Maria de Jesus Medina Reulas meets her granddaughter, held by her son-in-law, Humberto Gonzalez, for the first time after arriving from Mexico on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in Fountain Valley. Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA reunited 25 families with long-lost relatives living in Mexico.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Twenty-five families who were reunited with their loved ones from Mexico in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, gather for a group photo after their reunion. The event was sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA, (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Families wait in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, to finally see their loved ones who arrived from Mexico. The reunification event, sponsored by Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA, joined 25 families with relatives many had not seen in more than two decades. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    David Saldana is embraced by his grandma, Martha Lara, after not seeing her for ten years. Twenty-five families from Mexico were reunited with relatives in Fountain Valley on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Curacao and Fundacion Jalisco USA sponsored the event. Some family members had not seen their loved ones for more than two decades. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    The store hosted the reunion in its home furniture section, with waiting families sitting at the dining room tables. Germán Salazar Mauricio, an immigration lawyer with the nonprofit, played the emcee for the event, calling up each family one at a time, asking questions to draw out the suspense as their arriving family members were brought out from where they had been hidden behind a divider.

    He asked Ramirez what she was feeling seconds away from seeing her parents again after moving from Mexico to Sacramento 24 years ago. She had few words to offer, saying simply “emocionada.” For her daughter standing with her it was going to be the first time she met her grandparents in person; they were also meeting their great grandson for the first time.

    As her parents emerged from the backdrop, Ramirez went straight for her mom, the two hugging and crying; her father embraced his granddaughter for a long moment, talking quietly into her ear.

    Then they stepped aside so the reunions could continue.

    “The hugs after so long. The tears of happiness, sadness and joy,” Mauricio said. “That’s it. That’s dreams coming true.”

    One by one, 25 families, many with balloons and flowers, welcomed their loved ones.

    Soon Ramirez was taking her father’s suitcase to put in the car for the ride home as Francisco Ramirez Perez said, “Thank God that we finally can see each other. I feel nostalgic and passionate. We’re overcome with emotion because of so many years not seeing everyone.”

    The Reuniting Families program is designed specifically for elders ages 57 and older who have children living in the United States. Fundación Jalisco USA helps them apply for their U.S. visas, which allow them to visit for one month before they return to Mexico. The program also supports the participants in applying for longer-term visas in the future.

    The program almost sounded too good to be true, said Arturo Ramos, who along with his brother, hadn’t seen his parents in more than 20 years.

    “I think at first I had my doubts because of scams, but the process was really straightforward,” Ramos said, adding that programs that support family reunification are crucial. Navigating immigration can be so difficult for families who aren’t experienced with visas and the rules.

    Benjamin Estrada, general manager at the Curacao store, said he will never grow tired of seeing family members brought back together. This was the sixth round of reunions he’s hosted at the store.

    “The program is really important, especially for most of the people who haven’t seen their parents for so long,” Estrada said. “But really, the takeaway is how a lot of times we don’t really appreciate that we could see our parents every day. When you see this, it gets people to appreciate their elders more.”

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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    ‘Shaft,’ ‘Roots’ star Richard Roundtree has died
    • October 25, 2023

    Richard Roundtree, the stage and screen actor best known for his performance as a tough-talking private eye in 1971’s “Shaft,” has died, according to multiple reports.

    He was 81.

    The news was confirmed by Roundtree’s manager Patrick McMinn in a statement to Variety. McMinn told the outlet that the actor died Tuesday afternoon after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

    “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

    CNN has reached out to representatives for the actor for comment.

    Roundtree has the distinction of being among a handful of actors who enjoyed top billing with his first-ever screen credit. Until then a theater actor, his starring role in the 1971 Blaxploitation epic “Shaft” propelled him into the cultural limelight, launching a franchise that would see sequels, a TV series and a 2019 reboot starring Samuel L. Jackson.

    The actor would go on to enjoy a career spanning 50 years with over 150 screen credits. Notable television credits include “Roots,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Roundtree also costarred in films such as “Se7en,” “Speed Racer” and “Brick.”

    Actress Gabrielle Union shared a tribute to Roundtree on X, formerly Twitter, reposting images showing the pair from their time together on the TV series “Being Mary Jane.”

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    Jackson, who costarred with Roundtree in the “Shaft” reboot, called the late actor “The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!!” in an Instagram tribute on Tuesday evening.

    “His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too,” Jackson continued. “Love you Brother, I see you walking down the Middle of Main Street in Heaven & Issac’s Conducting your song coat blowin’ in wind!! Angels whispering.”

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Laguna Woods author to have book signing at senior center
    • October 25, 2023

    It’s not unusual for people who have lived compelling lives to hear: “You should write a book.”

    Laguna  Woods resident Barbara Wolk, a retired Spanish and English as a Second Language teacher, did just that. Under the pen name Diana Kingsley, she wrote “Mother in Name Only.”

    Wolk will have a book signing Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. in the Florence Sylvester Senior Center in Laguna Hills. Call the senior center at 949-380-0155.

    Written with emotional and intelligent clarity, the novel illuminates Wolk’s life growing up in New York as a “nice Jewish girl” saddled with all the constraints of coming of age in the 1950s and ’60s. That meant being taught to be obedient and chaste, to present the right appearances in manners and looks and, if need be, to be ready to forgive and forget transgressions – especially those committed by the opposite sex.

    “Mother in Name Only,” by Diana Kingsley, aka Barbara Wolk of Laguna Woods Village.
    (Photo by Daniella Walsh)

    Diana Kingsley, aka as Barbara Wolk, is the author of “Mother in Name Only.”
    (Courtesy of Dee Tucker)

    Laguna Woods resident Barbara Wolk is the author of “Mother in Name Only,” a poignant tale of a daughter, wife, mother and rape victim in the 1950s and 60s. Wolk, who uses the pen name Diana Kingsley, will have a book signing Saturday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. at the Barnes & Noble store in the Aliso Viejo Town Center.
    (Photo by Daniella Walsh)

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    In the book, Wolk has become Myrna Kaye – Kramer after her marriage to Eli, a successful but icy lawyer – with a sister, Sandra, and their parents.

    Wolk writes of the sisters’ upbringing by a mother who did not have the emotional and intellectual capability to raise the girls under anything but unyielding authority. It was their father who provided warmth, love and emotional support and a measure of stability. He held the family together until the mother ran off to pursue an artistic calling.

    Her departure embodied the emotional absence of a woman who described herself to Myrna as “a mother in name only.”

    The title also alludes to Myrna herself. After she was raped and impregnated by an old flame, her husband forced her to give the boy up for adoption.

    “I had to make a difficult decision when I got pregnant – whether my husband would know – and decided that I had to do the right thing, to let him know that he was not the father of this child,” Wolk recalled in an interview in her home in the Towers. “I paid a heavy price. I felt like I, too, was a mother in name only.”

    Over twists and turns, and with the help of a psychiatrist, she reconnected with her son, but in doing so, she lost connection to her eldest son and, for a time, her youngest.

    “I had a reunion with … the son I was forced to give up 35 years later, but it did not turn out to be idyllic,” Wolk said.

    Later, however, she wrote in an epilogue, the son she gave up now refers to her as “mom,” and she is in steady contact with her two grandchildren.

    Born in 1939, Wolk captures the mores and overall tenor of times when women were, first and foremost, taught to protect their chastity against onslaughts by men who were under no such constraints. They were to be educated but not too smart, to present themselves attractively, to marry well and produce successful offspring.

    Women of that generation will undoubtedly recognize shades of their own lives in “Mother in Name Only,” and it will be an emotionally difficult read at times. The fact that Wolk is Jewish is salient, but women brought up in other faiths will have no problem relating.

    The instinct of self-preservation in the face of the desire to please and perhaps to succeed has prevailed across generations into the MeToo zeitgeist where women are fighting similar demons.

    Wolk started to write “Mother in Name Only” in 2004. She finished it in 2005 but waited nearly 20 years to publish it. The characters are real and thinly disguised, and events are based on reality. Consequently, she was afraid that her former husband would sue her for libel before his death.

    However, under the aegis of New York’s Adult Survivors Act and in line with California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, Wolk has initiated a lawsuit against her rapist.

    “As a retired New York City high school teacher, my bandstand is to teach women and men to not only find their voice, but to use their voice to report either verbal abuse or sexual abuse to a best friend, family member or law enforcement immediately so that they can have a witness to make the culprit accountable,” Wolk wrote in an email.

    “Mother in Name Only” was a finalist in the 2023 International Book Awards in the categories Inspirational Fiction, Women’s Fiction and General Fiction. Wolk has two book signings scheduled at local Barnes & Noble stores.

    In the postscript she writes:

    “Revealing this story to the world in its entirety is a catharsis for me. I have learned to better understand and accept in myself what has been diagnosed as a case of PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. I have felt such pure relief by just getting this poison out, this trauma.

    “I want to share who I really am; not just the facade, the shell of a person. By extension, I hope that others can learn to reveal their secrets, disappointments and pain. … Acceptance and forgiveness are the keys to living a better and healthier life with peace of mind.”

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Lakers rally late but drop season opener to Nuggets
    • October 25, 2023

    Lakers star LeBron James dribbles the ball up the court during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, looks to pass the ball as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. Jokic had a 29-point triple-double and Davis was held scoreless after halftime as the Nuggets won, 119-107. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, right, drives against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and forward Aaron Gordon, right, during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray celebrates after a basket during the first half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers coach Darvin Ham confers with forward Anthony Davis during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers star LeBron James dribbles the ball up the court during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, looks to pass the ball as Lakers forwards Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James defend during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. Jokic had a 29-point triple-double as the Nuggets won, 119-107. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, argues after referee Michael Smith called a foul on him during the first half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis follows through on a shot over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward Taurean Prince, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends during the first half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers star LeBron James talks to a referee during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, grabs a rebound next to Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers forward LeBron James goes up for a basket past Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, handles the ball as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, left, joins Coach Michael Malone to argue a call with referee Kevin Cutler during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers guard Gabe Vincent handles the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers forward LeBron James goes up for a dunk past Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers head coach Darvin Ham directs the team from the sidelines during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope takes a shot during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, gets tangled with an unidentified Lakers player while going for a rebound as Lakers star Anthony Davis looks on during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis sits on the bench during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon drives as Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, right, defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and center Nikola Jokic, right, defend during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers stars LeBron James, right, and Anthony Davis head back on defense during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray handles the ball during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward Rui Hachimura drives the lane as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, steals the ball from Lakers forward Cam Reddish during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward LeBron James looks to the bench during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, is defended by Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis falls into some courtside seats as teammate Austin Reaves, front, crashes to the floor while the two were vying for control of the ball during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, center, watches from a courtside seat during the second half of the Denver Nuggets’ season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic collects the ball as Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell watches during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, left, picks up a loose ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Lakers forward Taurean Prince during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers coach Darvin Ham watches from the sidelines during the first half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shoots after colliding with Lakers guard Austin Reaves during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    The Lakers’ Anthony Davis, right, and Rui Hachimura walk off the court during a timeout in the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers star LeBron James, right, and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon compete for a loose ball during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon shoots over Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward LeBron James heads to the bench during the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, is defended by Lakers forward Cam Reddish during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is defended by Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, left, and forward Rui Hachimura during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone talks through a call with an official as Aaron Gordon, left, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, center, and Jamal Murray look on during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, left, looks to pass as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson defends during the second half of their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers star LeBron James looks toward the crowd during a timeout in the second half of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shoots during the second half of their season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Colorado football coach Deion Sanders watches the NBA season opener between the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers guard Gabe Vincent heads off the court after their loss to the Denver Nuggets in their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    From left, Lakers guards Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell and forwards Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and Taurean Prince sit on the bench near the end of their loss to the Denver Nuggets in their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Lakers star LeBron James walks off the court after they lost their season opener to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward LeBron James, right, greets Colorado wideout Travis Hunter after the Lakers’ season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter, left, jokes with quarterback Shedeur Sanders before the NBA season opener between the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, and Lakers star Anthony Davis greet each other before their season opener on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

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    DENVER — For the second consecutive season, the Lakers had the opportunity to play spoilers on an opposing team’s “Ring Night,” and just like last year, they came up short.

    The Lakers dropped their season opener to the defending champion Denver Nuggets, 119-107, at Ball Arena – a rematch of last spring’s Western Conference finals to kick off the 2023-24 NBA season.

    The Lakers matched the Nuggets’ offensive firepower to start the game but struggled to consistently keep up with their shotmaking.

    “They’re very sound in what they do and what they want to get to,” new Lakers forward Taurean Prince said. “It’s all about us being the same way defensively, staying alert, not being a step behind.”

    And just like in last year’s four-game series sweep, the Lakers struggled to find consistent answers defending Nikola Jokić.

    The Lakers tried different strategies against the two-time league MVP and reigning Finals MVP, including having Rui Hachimura guard Jokić and Anthony Davis guard Aaron Gordon during the second quarter.

    But Jokić and the Nuggets kept finding answers for whatever the Lakers threw at them. Jokić led the Nuggets with a triple-double: 29 points (12-of-22 shooting), 13 rebounds and 11 assists.

    Jamal Murray (21 points, six assists) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (20 points) also scored at least 20 for the Nuggets, and Aaron Gordon had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

    The Nuggets also had a significant advantage in making the most of their second chances, outscoring the Lakers in that area 17-4.

    “Anytime you have Jokic and Murray, they’re gonna be hard to guard,” Austin Reaves said. “Two very versatile, unselfish basketball players. But we just need to clean up a couple of things on the weak side and be able to scramble a little bit better, get to shooters, run them off the line. But tip your hat.”

    The Lakers didn’t go down quietly.

    They trimmed an 18-point second-quarter lead to single digits multiple times before the first half ended. They trailed by as many as 16 in the third quarter but trimmed the deficit to seven by the end of the quarter.

    But the Nuggets’ continuity shined in the moments that mattered most, just as it did in the conference finals.

    After the Lakers got within 92-89 with 9:42 left in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets went on an 11-2 run to open a comfortable 12-point lead midway through the quarter.

    Each time the Lakers attempted to get back into the game, the Nuggets found an answer: a Murray 3-pointer; a Gordon dunk; a Michael Porter Jr. 3-pointer en route to a 12-point victory.

    “We got to understand that if we don’t get back in transition, where they’re very good, and we don’t box out when they shoot the ball and give up second-chance points, they’re already too elite offensively,” LeBron James said. “So you’re allowing them easy baskets in transition and you’re allowing them easy putbacks on second-chance points. You can’t do that against them.”

    James, beginning his 21st NBA season, led the Lakers with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes.

    Davis had 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots but was scoreless in the second half (0 for 6 from the field, no free-throw attempts).

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    “They started double-teaming,” Davis said. “They were trying to crowd the paint. I missed some easy layups around the rim and little jumpers. Just trying to make the right play, give it up to our guys. If I’m doubled, kick it out. Rui had an open 3, Gabe [Vincent] had open 3s. They just didn’t fall. But I got to shoot it more.”

    Prince had 18 points in his Lakers debut, Reaves finished with 14 points and eight rebounds and D’Angelo Russell added 11 points as all five Lakers starters scored in double figures.

    Tuesday was just one game – the first of an 82-game marathon from October through April.

    But if the season opener can serve as a barometer for the Lakers, it’s clear they have plenty of work to do to compete with the team most expect to be the class of the conference.

    “Obviously it’s the first game of the season and we have to get better at and improve,” Coach Darvin Ham said. “Against a team like that, you make any mistake or you come out flat, they are going to make you pay for it. So, our biggest thing, again, is meeting aggression with aggression. Some things we definitely could have controlled a little better offensively. But, it’s the first game. We’ll get better, trust me.”

    “I mean I always want to be on the floor, especially when you got an opportunity to win a game or you feel like you can make an impact but I guess there’s a system in place and I’m going to follow it.” LeBron James discusses the plan of keeping his minutes down. pic.twitter.com/cMtltINxSl

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 25, 2023

    Darvin Ham on tonight’s loss: “Against a team like that, you make any mistake and come out flat, they’re gonna make you pay for it.” pic.twitter.com/pIEctZU4LN

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 25, 2023

    LeBron to the rack

    Lakers closed Q3 on a 9-0 run #KiaTipOff23 | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/qLsizAE4ZB

    — NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2023

    LeBron hits from DEEP to cut the lead to 3 #KiaTipOff23 | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/SWqApXXKNy

    — NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2023

    Austin Reaves finds LeBron to cut the lead to 7 #KiaTipOff23 | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/J73Y7MARw5

    — NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2023

    Austin Reaves spoke post-game about the difference for the #Lakers in the second half. pic.twitter.com/GzTn3DtbvD

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 25, 2023

    Taurean Prince with @LakersReporter on how he felt he fit in with the starting group and what the #Lakers need to improve on. pic.twitter.com/zZmCBW1j2L

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 25, 2023

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Orange County scores and player stats for Tuesday, Oct. 24
    • October 25, 2023

    Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

    Scores and stats from Orange County games on Tuesday, Oct. 24

    Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

    TUESDAY’S SCORES

    GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

    CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

    DIVISION 1

    Pool B

    Huntington Beach def. Los Alamitos, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22

    Mira Costa def. Alemany, 3-0

    Pool A

    Mater Dei def. Marymount, 25-10, 26-24, 25-20

    Sierra Canyon def. Palos Verdes, 3-2

    BOYS WATER POLO

    GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

    Loara 16, Rancho Alamitos 11

    La Quinta 20, Bolsa Grande 6

    SEA VIEW LEAGUE

    Aliso Niguel 13, Mission Viejo 6

    Goals: (AN) Geiger 4, Lynch 3

    Saves: (AN) Hanson 3, Kennedy 3

    CRESTVIEW LEAGUE

    Foothill 25, Brea Olinda 10

    El Dorado 23, Yorba Linda 7

    NORTH HILLS LEAGUE

    Canyon 17, El Modena 9

    Villa Park 10, Esperanza 7

    ORANGE LEAGUE

    Western 20, Anaheim 4

    FREEWAY LEAGUE

    La Habra 10, Fullerton 8

    TRINITY LEAGUE

    JSerra 24, Servite 4

    NOTE: JSerra finishes the regular season 24-0 overall, 5-0 in league play.

    GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

    Ocean View 16, Katella 5

    NONLEAGUE

    Saddleback 17, Savanna 10

    Fountain Valley 17, Whittier 7

    GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

    SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

    Aliso Niguel 21, Trabuco Hills 6

    NONLEAGUE

    Esperanza 19, Orange Lutheran 7

     

     

     

     

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Mater Dei girls volleyball sweeps Marymount, moves closer to spot in Division 1 final
    • October 25, 2023

    SANTA ANA — After taking the first set of the match, things were looking up for the Mater Dei girls volleyball team.

    Suddenly the Monarchs found themselves down by two points late in the second set but were able to comeback and take the set and eventually the match with a 25-10, 26-24, 25-20 victory over Marymount on Tuesday night in pool play of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

    Top-seeded Mater Dei (37-2) is now 2-0 in pool play and will face Sierra Canyon on Saturday. If the Monarchs win that match they will advance to the Division 1 final on Nov. 4 at Cerritos College.

    The Monarchs’ last CIF-SS title came in 2018.

    Mater Dei coach Dan O’Dell called a timeout with his team trailing 23-21 in the second set, trying to help the Monarchs regroup in a pivotal moment against a Marymount team that upset No. 4 seed Sierra Canyon in five sets in the first round of pool play.

    “We were making runs all match so I knew we could come back at any point,” O’Dell said. “Against Palos Verdes, in our last game, we had multiple times where we were down late and we came back, so this team’s been showing resiliency. They’re showing that even if they’re down late they still have the confidence to make the plays and they’re not getting nervous, so I think it’s a good trait to see the girls act like that.”

    Senior outside hitter Izzy Clark had a match-high 17 kills for the Monarchs while senior opposite Cymarah Gordon added 13 kills and sophomore outside hitter Layli Ostovar also finished with 13 kills.

    Mater Dei setter Julia Kakkis had 40 assists and senior libero Malyssa Cawa finished with 19 digs.

    O’Dell praised his senior core for their performance.

    “I think seniors have a little bit more sense of urgency out there,” he said, “so Julia, the way she set tonight, Cymarah, Izzy, Mal (Cawa) our libero, they’re all just kind of stepping up and they know that this is our last season (together). We want to make sure we finish on a high, so we’re doing a really good job in these moments.”

    The Monarchs raced to an early lead thanks to Clark and Gordon and won the opening set with little resistance.

    But the fifth-seeded Sailors (27-11) fared much better in the next set and went on a 7-0 run after falling behind 20-14. Kate Martin’s swing when the game was tied at 20 gave Marymount a brief lead.

    Mater Dei reacted well after the timeout and Gordon stopped the Sailors’ first attempt at set point with a crucial sideout. Cawa collected a huge service ace before Gordon’s final attack helped the Monarchs take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

    “Knowing that she (Gordon) was going to be on the court late, that’s a big difference maker when she’s front row for us,” O’Dell said.

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Huntington Beach girls volleyball sweeps rival Los Alamitos in Division 1 playoffs
    • October 25, 2023

    HUNTINGTON BEACH — The Huntington Beach girls volleyball team came away with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-22 victory over Los Alamitos in the second round of play the CIF SS Division 1 playoffs on Tuesday at Huntington Beach High School.

    The match was more of a battle between the two Surf League rivals than a 3-0 sweep would indicate.

    The Oilers (29-7), the third-seeded team in the eight-team Division 1 playoffs, came from five points down in the first set and stayed composed after giving up a 6-0 run to allow the No. 7 Griffins to come back in the third set.

    Huntington Beach is 2-0 in Pool B in Pool B and will play No. 2 Mira Costa, which is also 2-0, on Saturday at Mira Costa. Both teams have swept both of their matches in pool play

    The winner of Saturday’s match will play the winner of pool A for the Division 1 championship on Nov. 4 at Cerritos College.

    The Oilers are trying to win the program’s first CIF-SS title since 1996.

    The Huntington Beach volleyball team celebrates after sweeping Los Alamitos in the second round of Pool B in the CIF SS Division 1 playoffs on Tuesday, Oct. 24. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    A pair of aces from Noalani Nuez and an ace from Brynn Minter helped the Griffins take a 9-4 lead in the first set.

    The Oilers came back, but the Griffins managed to maintain a lead of one to two points until back-to-back kills from Taylor Ponchak and Ellie Esko gave the Oilers their first lead at 18-17.

    Huntington Beach closed out the set on a 4-1 run with Haylee LaFontaine getting the final kill.

    “Knowing that we’re able to come back from certain deficits and just knowing our ability and then using that and just being confident overall just helps us go on those runs and get back in and then get that lead again,” said Addison Williams who had nine kills for the Oilers.

    LaFontaine led the team with 13 kills and Kylie Leopard and Ponchak had 10 and nine kills, respectively.

    Ashley Repetti led the Griffins with 12 kills and Katey Foley had seven kills and two blocks for the Griffins.

    The Oilers put forth just enough of a late surge to take the second set, with Williams getting the final kill.

    In the third set, Huntington Beach led 10-7 before giving up a 6-0 run and falling behind, with five of those points coming on hitting errors.

    Consecutive kills from Repetti gave the Griffins a 21-21 tie, but once again the Oilers went on a late run to put the set and the match away.

    “We had another slow start which we’ve got to get rid of but we came through when we needed to,” Oilers coach Craig Pazanti said.

    Huntington Beach also defeated the Griffins twice in league play.

    All Division 1 teams receive automatic bids to the CIF State playoffs.

    You’ve got to rebound and recover after a loss because you’re not done,” Los Alamitos coach Dave Huber said. “We earned the right to be here and guaranteed four matches. We’re going to get after it four times.”

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Kings shake off early wobble, beat Coyotes behind balanced effort
    • October 25, 2023

    LOS ANGELES — Although they let their opponents get off the mat at times, the Kings ultimately pinned the Arizona Coyotes, 6-3, in a seesaw affair that saw a broad array of contributors for the hosts on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

    It was the Kings’ first home victory of the season (in four tries) and it put them on the right side of a .500 points percentage for the second time in the young campaign.

    The Kings got goals from six different scorers: Anze Kopitar, Trevor Lewis, Trevor Moore, Blake Lizotte, Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe (empty net). Fiala and Kopitar also contributed an assist apiece, as did five of the six Kings defensemen in uniform on Tuesday. Pheonix Copley earned his first win in his second start of the season after losing a 6-5 overtime affair to Carolina on Oct. 14.

    Jack McBain, Nick Bjugstad and Clayton Keller each tallied for Arizona. Connor Ingram stopped six of the nine shots he faced before being relieved by Karel Vejmelka in a wake-up call goalie change for Arizona, which sharpened up soon after.

    “Overall, it was a good team effort,” Copley said, “Just a full team effort.”

    With 36 seconds remaining, Kempe lofted the puck into the empty net for his second goal of the season, both of which entered a vacated cage.

    As 9:11 displayed on the game clock, the Coyotes appeared to pull back within one but Barrett Hayton’s goal was nullified on a review initiated by the Kings because the play had gone offside.

    “There’s an offside goal, if not, it’s a one-shot game again,” Arizona coach André Tourigny said. “That’s the rule, it is what it is. Don’t take any credit from the Kings.”

    Early in the third period, the Kings absorbed play, brushing up against another tie score at least twice before Fiala authoritatively stuffed home a Vladislav Gavrikov rebound. Fiala, whom Coach Todd McLellan mentioned as not having attempted a shot in a loss to Boston on Saturday, tied for game-high honors with four strikes on net Tuesday.

    “He’s so good visually with all his passes and stuff, but he has a tremendous shot. His goal was the shortest shot he’ll probably take all year, it was from two inches, but you’ve got to go and get those,” said McLellan, whose team has scored at least five goals in four of its six games.

    The second period saw the Kings’ two-goal lead halved, re-established and then reduced anew to a solitary goal.

    A dizzyingly deft passing sequence saw rookie Logan Cooley execute a perfect dish for Keller, who flared into the right circle for a one-timer after players and the puck whizzed about the Kings’ zone, 2:32 before the second intermission. It was the sort of goal to which McLellan said he simply had to tip his cap.

    Lizotte had regained a two-goal edge with the fourth line’s second tally of the night, as he snuck behind pressure generated by a forecheck that caused a turnover and into the low slot unmarked 82 seconds after Arizona scored.

    “First and foremost, we try to be defensively responsible, but [we] love getting love in on the forecheck, so I don’t think it’s anything crazy to say we can chip in offensively, especially when we have our legs,” Lizotte said.

    At the 6:17 mark, Lawson Crouse flicked an innocuous-looking shot on net, but the rebound trickled out to Bjugstad, who had gotten position on Moore and allowed his imposing size to do the rest as he effortlessly popped in his second goal of 2023-24.

    “Bjugstad’s goal, the rebound off the faceoff, that’s a tough box-out, the way it happened. We were better in those areas, it might not look that way, but we were,” McLellan said of his team’s net-front defending.

    After an early wobble, much of the first period was carried by the Kings.

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    Moore scored his team-leading fifth goal after a disrupted counterattack became a workmanlike trip into the offensive zone. It culminated in Danault’s centering pass along the goal line for a swift redirection that chased Ingram from the game after surrendering three goals in just over four minutes between the 8:13 and 12:34 marks of the game.

    The Kings had taken the lead after Andreas Englund and Lizotte’s rush opened up space for a trailing Lewis to slide his first goal of the season far side past Ingram.

    Kopitar had drawn the Kings even with a one-timer off a Fiala seam pass through the center of both faceoff circles. It was the captain’s third goal of the season and his second on the power play.

    The Coyotes started auspiciously, when three minutes into the match McBain stuffed home a rebound from a dangerous Travis Boyd shot that came off a slick pass from behind the net, but Copley soon settled in comfortably.

    “We had a slow start, and our goaltender played extremely well early in the game,” McLellan said.

    Fiala’s first of the season puts LA back up by 2!!!@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/kmjtvdwKA9

    — Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 25, 2023

    Coach McLellan talks post game@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/UTacYnImHm

    — Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 25, 2023

    Blake Lizotte catches up with @CarrlynBathe after first home win of the season
    @LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/RwPRVsQKr1

    — Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 25, 2023

    OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN!!@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/mFPFMYeox5

    — Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 25, 2023

    He’s still got it!@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/g6S1xxq1pv

    — Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 25, 2023

    Lizotte makes it 4!!@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/NV0TXmirAb

    — Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 25, 2023

    ​ Orange County Register 

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