Orange County girls basketball standings: Saturday, Jan. 13

• January 14, 2024

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Standings for the Orange County girls basketball leagues through Friday, Jan. 12.

Trinity League
League
Overall

Mater Dei
3-0
15-6

Orange Lutheran
2-1
12-6

Santa Margarita
1-1
15-5

Rosary Academy
1-2
14-5

JSerra
0-3
18-4

South Coast League
League
Overall

San Juan Hills
2-0
11-8

San Clemente
1-0
13-6

Trabuco Hills
1-0
9-9

Tesoro
0-2
5-18

Aliso Niguel
0-2
3-12

Sea View League
League
Overall

Dana Hills
2-0
17-3

El Toro
1-1
13-7

Mission Viejo
1-1
7-14

Capistrano Valley
0-2
2-10

Surf League
League
Overall

Los Alamitos
2-0
17-5

Corona del Mar
1-0
9-9

Fountain Valley
0-1
12-9

Edison
0-2
5-17

Wave League
League
Overall

Marina
2-0
14-8

Huntington Beach
1-1
13-9

Laguna Beach
1-1
7-13

Newport Harbor
0-2
7-13

San Joaquin League
League
Overall

Orangewood Academy
1-0
12-5

Fairmont Prep
1-0
17-4

Pacifica Christian
0-1
17-4

Capistrano Valley Christian
0-1
11-12

Pacific Coast League
League
Overall

Sage Hill
1-0
14-2

Portola
1-1
16-4

Northwood
1-1
6-9

Woodbridge
0-1
15-6

Pacific Hills
League
Overall

Beckman
1-0
12-6

Irvine
1-0
11-8

University
0-1
8-11

Laguna Hills
0-1
7-11

Orange Coast League
League
Overall

Calvary Chapel
7-0
14-8

St. Margaret’s
6-1
17-5

Estancia
4-3
14-8

Santa Ana
3-3
10-11

Costa Mesa
2-5
5-14

Orange
2-5
10-10

Saddleback
0-7
0-17

Orange League
League
Overall

Anaheim
3-0
19-1

Magnolia
2-1
12-5

Savanna
2-1
15-5

Western
2-1
3-8

Santa Ana Valley
0-3
7-11

Century
0-3
3-7

Crestview League
League
Overall

Esperanza
1-0
16-3

El Dorado
1-0
14-5

Brea Olinda
1-1
7-14

Foothill
0-2
5-15

North Hills League
League
Overall

Yorba Linda
1-0
11-8

Canyon
1-0
12-7

Villa Park
1-1
10-10

El Modena
0-2
12-10

Empire League
League
Overall

Crean Lutheran
3-0
11-6

Tustin
2-1
13-7

Cypress
1-1
9-10

Valencia
1-2
11-10

Pacifica
1-2
16-4

Kennedy
0-2
8-10

Garden Grove League
League
Overall

Loara
3-0
11-8

Santiago
2-0
5-13

La Quinta
1-2
9-12

Los Amigos
1-2
6-10

Rancho Alamitos
1-2
7-14

Bolsa Grande
0-2
1-17

Freeway League
League
Overall

Sunny Hills
3-0
13-8

Buena Park
3-0
12-7

Troy
2-1
8-9

Sonora
1-2
9-11

La Habra
0-3
15-6

Fullerton
0-3
13-8

Golden West League
League
Overall

Godinez
4-0
10-8

Segerstrom
3-1
17-5

Katella
3-1
12-6

Ocean View
1-3
7-15

Garden Grove
1-3
4-10

Westminster
0-4
2-16

​ Orange County Register 

Alexander: Rams’ Sean McVay still standing – and thriving again

• January 14, 2024

DETROIT — The retirement of college coaching icon Nick Saban, and the firings (let’s be clear about it) of Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll this week are a good reason for a reminder that, exactly one year ago, Sean McVay was seriously contemplating stepping away from the business.

He hadn’t even reached his 37th birthday, yet in his first five seasons he’d reached two Super Bowls and won one, as well as three division titles and more than 60% of his games. He was still the youngest coach in the NFL, and yet he was facing burnout after an injury-racked 5-12 season and an uncertain future for his team, the general consensus being that general manager Les Snead had paid a heavy price for that Lombardi Trophy of the season before.

“This has been years. This isn’t a new thing,” he told reporters at the end of last season. “(Making) sure that this joy, this zest, this ability to be able to do the things at the level that you know you’re capable of, how do you not let the challenges and the grind and the competitor in you … how do you not let that change the dynamic of who you want to be as a leader in those types of things? And that’s kind of where I’m at.”

Now look at them. McVay’s Rams are back in the postseason tournament, and their Wild Card Weekend meeting with the Detroit Lions on Sunday night – aka Matthew Stafford’s Return – may be the most anticipated first-round matchup of the weekend. The Rams were 10-7 in the regular season, as those bills didn’t turn out to be so steep after all, and McVay seems to again be having the time of his life, having apparently figured out the work-life balance issue. (Maybe having a baby in the household helps.)

Oh, and McVay isn’t even the youngest coach in the NFL any more. Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots’ replacement for Belichick, assumes that job at the age of 37. (For the record, McVay turns 38 in a little more than a week.)

So it was haunting, almost, that McVay – old enough to have his own coaching tree, still young enough to respect his elders – spent a good part of his Friday availability this week telling the reporters on site his feelings about the bombshells that had rocked the football coaching world in recent days.

“I don’t know Coach Saban too well, but I have tremendous respect for him from afar,” McVay said. “What he’s done (at Alabama) is undeniable. We’ve had a little bit of interactions, but he’s as good as it gets and his résumé speaks for itself. And then (Rams pass game specialist) Jake Peetz worked with him, and I’ve heard so many great things and a lot of the things that he shared that they did, it’s like, oh man, we should implement that.”

His interactions with Belichick and Carroll, of course, were more frequent, Carroll as a division rival in Seattle (with a 10-5 record in McVay’s favor, including a series sweep this year) and Belichick in two head-to-head meetings: A 13-3 loss in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, in February of 2019, and a 24-3 victory at home during the pandemic season of 2020.

“You start in this business and you’re a fan of the coaches,” McVay said. “And I had such respect and admiration (for Belichick), and then obviously it was a really humbling experience in the Super Bowl in (’19). But the relationship that we’ve been able to develop, the way that you can almost feel like he’s done so much for this game … it almost felt like he was giving back to the game with the information that he shares and how he’s always treated me. And that sure means a lot.

“But (it’s) just the amount of the work capacity, the consistent stamina that he’s had, the way that he’s been able to develop players, coaches, and people around him. And then the results are one thing, but it’s just the consistency over time. And then you talk to (Rams offensive line coach) Ryan Wendell and you talk to (tight ends coach) Nick Caley and (Seahawks offensive coordinator and former Ram assistant) Shane Waldron that have really worked with him year in and year out and the admiration, but just how impressive everything that he can do and that he’s done and that he still does it at such a high level.

“The game is better for these guys, and really a lot of the same things (can be said) for Coach Carroll. But these guys are what make the game special from a coach’s perspective and I know they love it. And this game has really been good to me, and I appreciate the way that those guys have been towards me as well.”

It has been a learning experience for McVay over these past seven seasons, and part of that has been a willingness – OK, sometimes an over-willingness – to take the blame for his team’s failures. But I’m convinced it’s an important part of his coaching technique, to take the heat publicly but make sure his players understand exactly what needs to change.

He acknowledges now that he could have handled Jared Goff’s final days as a Ram far differently, but maybe that process was necessary for both Goff and the team that drafted him to get to better places, which has led to Sunday’s showdown.

“I think Jared has said it himself: The experience of being traded, which hurt, built a different resilience in him,” NBC’s Mike Tirico said on a midweek conference call. “He feels like he’s a stronger football player, stronger individual for what he’s gone through.”

McVay said early this week that with “four years of great experiences (with Goff), I have much more appreciation and perspective than I probably did at the time. … I just think (it’s) growing as a person, handling every situation the way that you want to with perspective, respect, appreciation. The (things) that I’ll never run away from are mistakes that I’ve made in previous instances. But when you look back on it, (there’s) the gratitude for those four years, all the good memories that we had.

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“And then when you end up making a change that ended up being difficult … could it have been handled better on my end? Absolutely. I’ll never run away from that. But the further you get away from it, the more that you try to grow as a man, as a person, as the leader that you want to become. He deserved better than the way that it all went down. I’ll acknowledge that. I think he knows that too. I’m not afraid to admit to those things, but I think we’re all better being able to look back on those things and I do have more appreciation for him as time goes on.”

It has brought them both to this place and this meeting. And isn’t it a good thing, for the Rams and for their fans, that McVay didn’t step away after all when the temptation arose?

[email protected]

​ Orange County Register 

Chargers to reportedly interview Jim Harbaugh next week

• January 14, 2024

The Chargers are expected to interview University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh in the coming days, according to a report on NFL.com on Saturday that cited unnamed sources.

Harbaugh led the Wolverines to the national championship Monday.

The Chargers are believed to have a strong interest in hiring Harbaugh, a former quarterback for the team from 1999-2000 when it was located in San Diego. Although he has dodged questions about a return to the NFL, reports indicate that he has an interest in the Chargers.

The Las Vegas Raiders are another team that is said to have an interest in Harbaugh. Antonio Pierce served as an interim coach for the Raiders.

Harbaugh, 60, is under contract at Michigan through the 2026 season and it’s been reported that the school has offered him a mammoth 10-year, $125-million extension that he has so far not accepted.

The Wolverines finished a 15-0 season, amid suspensions and a sign-stealing scandal that plagued the program, with a 34-13 victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff title game in Houston.

In all, Harbaugh missed six games due to suspensions. He sat out the first three games of the season after Michigan issued a self-imposed suspension in regard to recruiting infractions. The Big Ten later suspended Harbaugh for the remainder of the regular season – for crucial conference games against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State – for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy by “conducting an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.”

Before being hired at Michigan, where he has compiled an 86-25 record, Harbaugh spent four seasons as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. His teams appeared in three consecutive NFC Championship games, advancing to one Super Bowl in a loss to his brother John’s Baltimore Ravens in 2013, before going 8-8 in his last season and mutually parting ways with the 49ers in late 2014.

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The Chargers are seeking a replacement for Brandon Staley, who was fired along with general manager Tom Telesco on Dec. 15. Giff Smith served as the interim coach for the final three games for the Chargers, who finished 5-12.

In addition, the Chargers announced they interviewed 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for the coaching position.

They previously said they had interviewed Smith, a longtime coach of their defensive linemen and their outside linebackers, and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as possible replacements for Staley, who was 24-24 in two-plus seasons.

​ Orange County Register 

L.A. deputy happens to walk into a robbery at Carson store, makes 4 arrests

• January 13, 2024

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy’s trip to a Carson convenience store led to a surprise foiled robbery early Saturday morning, as the deputy discovered a group of suspects in the midst of an apparent hold-up.

As the deputy walked into the store as a customer, he saw two masked men behind the counter, one with a knife and the other holding what appeared to be a firearm, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials said.

The deputy reportedly drew his gun, radioed for other deputies and took four suspects into custody.

It turned out that one of the men behind the counter had been holding a replica that looked like an actual firearm, authorities said.

The attempted robbery occurred in the early morning hours at a store at the intersection of Victoria Street and Avalon Boulevard.

Surveillance footage obtained by KTLA showed the would-be robbers enter the store and immediately hop over the counter into the area where the clerk was standing.

​ Orange County Register 

Neo is a typical boxer: playful and full of fun

• January 13, 2024

Breed: Boxer

Age: 3 years

Sex: Neutered male

Neo’s story: Unusual for a boxer, sweet Neo has heterochromia, a lack of pigmentation in one eye. That’s why he has one blue and one brown eye. Although often associated with a lack of sight and/or hearing, in Neo’s case heterochromia has no bearing on either – he sees and hears just fine! Other than his eyes, Neo is a typical boxer who loves to play and go on walks.

Adoption cost: The center’s nonprofit arm, Dedicated Animal Welfare Group, is sponsoring Neo’s adoption, so his approved adopter will pay just $20 for his microchip.

Adoption procedure: Application and screening of potential adopters is required to ensure they are the right fit for Neo. Visit him at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, 28095 Hillcrest, Mission Viejo; call 949-470-3045; or email [email protected]. More information on Neo and other dogs in need of homes can be found online.

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​ Orange County Register 

Meet Penny the dachshund, the snuggle queen

• January 13, 2024

Breed: Dachshund mix

Age: 1 year

Sex: Spayed female

Size: 20 pounds

Penny’s story: Penny is happiest when she’s snuggling with a person. Following closely are her beloved walks. She’s playful, always leading the chase and zooming around the yard. But she’s also content to curl up in your officer while you work, waiting for her chance for some cuddling. Penny is house- and crate-trained and willing to learn lots more – just bring some yummy treats and she’s an eager student. Penny gets along with cats and other dog. And did we mention she loves to snuggle?

Adoption cost: $375

Adoption procedure: Complete the required adoption application online or contact I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue at [email protected].

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​ Orange County Register 

Orange County scores and player stats for Saturday, Jan. 13

• January 13, 2024

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

Scores and stats from Orange County games on Saturday, Jan. 13

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

The deadline for submitting information is 10:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday.

SATURDAY’S SCORES

GIRLS WATER POLO

SANTA BARBARA TOC

Orange Lutheran 11, Mater Dei 9

Goals: (OLu) Cohen 2, Kim 2, Umeda 2, Robinson 2, Sloman 2

Saves: Pranajaya (OLu) 14

Other TOC scores

Laguna Beach 14, Oaks Christian 11

TROY WARRIORS WINTER CLASSIC

Mission Viejo 14, San Bernardino 1

Costa Mesa 14, Tesoro 8

JSerra 14, La Serna 6

WOLFPACK TOURNAMENT

Marlborough 9, Buena Park 6

ARLINGTON TOURNAMENT

Woodbridge 11, Ventura 10

OXNARD TOURNAMENT

El Dorado 8, Thousand Oaks 7

El Dorado 9, Rio Mesa 8

​ Orange County Register 

Rams at Detroit Lions: Who has the edge in the NFC wild-card game?

• January 13, 2024

Rams (10-7) at Lions (12-5)

When: 5 p.m. PT Sunday

Where: Ford Field, Detroit

TV/Radio: NBC/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 228, 225

Line: Lions by 3

Notable injury designations

Rams: QUESTIONABLE: S Jordan Fuller (ankle), RG Kevin Dotson (shoulder), TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder), OL Joe Noteboom (foot), NT Bobby Brown III (illness), LB Troy Reeder (knee).

Lions: OUT: WR Kalif Raymond (knee), CB Jerry Jacobs (thigh/knee), LB James Houston (ankle), TE James Mitchell (hand); QUESTIONABLE: TE Sam LaPorta (knee), DE John Cominsky (illness).

What’s at stake? It’s opening weekend of the playoffs: Loser goes home, winner continues on to the divisional round with the dream of a Super Bowl still alive. There are some legacy questions on the line between Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford returning to Detroit and Rams head coach Sean McVay and Lions quarterback Jared Goff facing off three years after Goff was traded from the Rams. But it’s the playoffs. Nothing else matters.

Who’s better? The Rams are entering the playoffs as hot as any team in the league, while the Lions have been one of the most consistent performers in the league, so it’s a pretty even pairing. But the Rams do match up well with the Lions in certain areas. The Rams are fourth in red-zone scoring rate this season (63.64%), while the Lions are 29th in red-zone defense (66.04%). The Rams are fourth in fourth-down conversion rate (61.90%), and the Lions are 27th in fourth-down defense (57.69%). Those two areas could be critical to this game given the Rams’ struggles in the kick game this year.

Matchup to watch: Stafford vs. Goff. No, quarterbacks don’t step foot on the field at the same time. But this is a matchup between quarterbacks traded for each other, and the first playoff showdown between quarterbacks facing their former teams. The outcome will further shape the narrative of a trade that has already changed the fates of both franchises for the better, and will be heavily dissected.

Rams win if: They withstand the noise early in the game and finish the first quarter tied or with a lead to take a little air out of the Detroit crowd. … The Rams’ special teams doesn’t give up any big plays, especially against a Lions team that loves a good fake punt. … The Rams put pressure on Goff and record at least four sacks.

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Fantasy sleeper: RB Kyren Williams. Yes, Williams was the second-highest scorer at running back in half-PPR formats this season, all while missing four games. But the Lions defense is No. 2 in the NFL this season in limiting opponents to 88.8 rushing yards per game this season. The Rams know the run game is a key ingredient in their offense and will likely get creative to find ways to utilize Williams on Sunday.

Prediction: Rams 31, Lions 24. Beat reporter’s record: 10-4 for the season; 8-6 against the spread.

​ Orange County Register