21 migrants in 34-foot boat intercepted by Coast Guard off Newport Beach

• November 16, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard officials intercepted a boat carrying 21 migrants off the coast of Newport Beach, authorities said Friday, Nov. 15.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal spotted the 34-foot boat Thursday evening outside Newport Harbor, and determined it was “operating suspiciously,” according to the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard officials boarded the vessel around 7 p.m. and found 21 migrants aboard and took them into custody. They were later transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

According to the Coast Guard, 18 of the migrants were Mexican, two were of Uzbek nationality and one was Russian.

​ Orange County Register 

Alexander: Yes, the Angels will be back on cable … but what happens down the road?

• November 16, 2024

The world according to Jim:

• At last, the Angels have a TV destination for 2025. Diamond Sports Group, whose TV contracts with a bunch of major league teams were in jeopardy, has escaped bankruptcy, and all is right with the world again.

Right? Right??? …

• Actually, the world of televised sports is transforming rapidly around us, and it’s not a bad idea to begin preparing now. And it’s not just junk events, like the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul “fight” with which Netflix broke the seal on its foray into live sports Friday night.

There’s cable. There’s streaming. There’s over-the-air TV. And you just know there will be future platforms or ways of consuming sports media that haven’t been invented yet, or that we wouldn’t even come up with in our wildest fantasies. …

• We’ve written about this before, of course. Cord-cutting, and the reaction to it, is transforming the ways we watch our games. Often it’s confused the issue, as we ask ourselves: “OK, which events are streaming-only? Which ones are on linear TV, and if so what station? Does anyone still watch cable?”

(To that last, the columnist sheepishly raises his hand.) …

• It’s hard to dispute this point, though: When cable was ascendant, it was an absolute boon to the sports viewer, who in most cases was getting the benefit from lots of viewers who cared not a whit for athletic pursuits but whose cable bills were puffed up by subscriber fees for ESPN, FS1, TNT, TBS and the rest. …

• For all of those who rebelled against that concept … well, you had a point, but there was a counterpoint. If you were subsidizing sports programming you weren’t watching, who’s to say sports fans’ cable bills weren’t helping subsidize programming that they didn’t watch but you did? …

• Here’s where it stands now: If you have shed one humongous cable bill, how many streaming services do you have to subscribe to in order to see all of the programming that interests you? Just with sports alone, Amazon Prime, with NFL Thursday nights and the NBA starting next season, is essential. Apple TV+ has Friday night baseball – always exclusive to the streaming service, even if your hometown team is playing – and Major League Soccer, whose dedicated area on that service should be known as the Messi Channel (and how will they ever cope now that Inter Miami has been eliminated from the playoffs).

You’ve got the Premier League, the Big Ten and more NFL on Peacock, still more NFL and a variety of European soccer on Paramount+, and NHL games plus a variety of college conferences on ESPN+. I’m sure there are streaming services that I’m missing. …

• And I’m guessing we will soon reach the point where the MLB.TV streaming option will not be limited to just out-of-market games as it is now, with its crazy quilt of blacked out territories. As of this year, the Angels’ deal with Diamond – under, now, the brand name of FanDuel Sports – will include a direct streaming component which will also be offered through Amazon Prime. …

• This likely will be, no pun intended, the bottom line (since broadcasting rights money is so critical to so many franchises): Five years from now, being a sports fan could be more expensive than it’s ever been, especially in this crowded market.

• Some teams in some places are returning to over-the-air TV – including the Ducks, who are airing the majority of their games on Channel 13 as well as through the new Victory+ streaming service, and the Kings (with seven games scheduled on KCAL/Ch. 9). But with eight different SoCal teams desiring or needing air time (Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Ducks, Sparks, Rugby FC LA), there’s not enough channel capacity to accommodate everybody.

(And that count doesn’t include the Rams and Chargers, who are under the national NFL contract; USC and UCLA, tied to Big Ten media contracts as well as the Big Ten Network, and LAFC and the Galaxy, wedded to Apple TV+). …

• The Dodgers’ and Lakers’ long-term deals with Spectrum would seem to be bulletproof, but what happens down the road?

The Lakers offer a subscription streaming option for their SportsNet channel, either monthly or through the season, and access remains free for those who are Spectrum broadband/mobile subscribers. As of yet, the Dodgers’ SportsNet LA channel only offers free streaming for Spectrum subscribers, but we’ll see if that changes before the 2025 season begins. …

• As for those who care about the teams but whose budgets are strapped? There’s still radio. It’s free – for now. …

• Get well, Gregg Popovich. The longtime San Antonio Spurs coach is recovering from a recent stroke, and while it would be wonderful to see him back on the sideline at some point, his health matters most.

Beyond that, it’s always been enjoyable to watch his expression brighten any time anyone brings up Pomona-Pitzer, among his early stops in this business. (Fact: I covered a game when he coached the Sagehens all those years ago. I don’t remember a lot about our conversation afterward, but neither one of us was as sarcastic then as we are now.) …

• Brusdar Graterol undergoes labrum surgery, and is expected to miss the first part of the 2025 season. And while Dodger fans are bemoaning this news, I’m guessing there’s also this thought in lots of their minds: “Please, just be ready for October.”

[email protected]

​ Orange County Register 

CalOptima audits Andrew Do’s tenure with the agency following corruption plea

• November 16, 2024

CalOptima Health, the multibillion-dollar health provider for Orange County’s low-income residents, has hired an outside auditor to review disgraced former county Supervisor Andrew Do’s tenure on the agency’s board of directors.

CalOptima spokesperson Janis Rizzuto would not provide any details, but a source with the agency who requested anonymity said the independent audit is likely to be completed in January.

Do, 62, pleaded guilty last month to a federal bribery charge for his role in an embezzlement scheme involving millions of dollars in COVID-relief funds following an investigation by the FBI, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, IRS and other federal agencies. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

As part of his plea deal, Do also resigned from the county Board of Supervisors and agreed to forfeit any pension accrued since the start of the scheme and properties purchased with the funds. He confessed to accepting at least $550,000 in bribes.

Do directed, through his First District discretionary fund, about $9.3 million in federal pandemic relief funds to the upstart charity, Viet America Society, to provide meals to the elderly and people with disabilities. Of that, only an estimated $1.4 million was actually spent on the meals, according to the plea agreement. Another $1 million in taxpayer money was awarded to the group to build a Vietnam War memorial that has not been completed.

In his plea agreement, Do admitted he received kickbacks totaling more than $550,000 beginning in 2020 to direct millions in COVID-related funds to Viet America Society, which later employed Do’s daughter as a leader of the organization. Part of the money Rhiannon Do received was used to buy a $1,035,000 house in North Tustin, the agreement said. His other daughter, Irene, received $100,000, Do admitted.

Rhiannon Do, a 23-year-old, third-year student at UC Irvine School of Law, was given court diversion, meaning she will not be criminally charged but must undergo three years of probation, provide restitution and continue her education.

An investigation is continuing into leaders and associates of Viet America Society.

Andrew Do served on the CalOptima board from 2015 to 2023, a period marked by controversy.

In 2022, the California Fair Political Practices Commission found that Do used his leadership role at CalOptima to steer contracts to lobbyists who previously donated to his campaigns. The commission ordered Do to pay an administrative penalty of $12,000. The FPPC also concluded that Do failed to issue timely reports related to campaign donors who gave money toward building statues at Mile Square Park. The commission said those donations could be used to win political favor with Do.

In February 2023, Do resigned from his role as chairman of CalOptima after a state investigation questioned his pay practices. He previously had been criticized for supporting huge salary hikes for some CalOptima executives and for hiring one of his aides, Veronica Carpenter, to a newly created, $282,000-a-year job as CalOptima chief of staff. That move raised questions, in part, because Carpenter had less than a year of experience in hospital administration.

Under Do’s board chairmanship, CalOptima CEO Michael Hunn’s pay was increased by about 50% in 2022 to $841,500 a year.

Responding to the state investigation, CalOptima adopted “anti-corruption” reforms and introduced a one-year cooling-off period for any board member seeking employment at the agency. Additionally, CalOptima — in keeping with a new state law inspired by Do — is prohibiting board members from voting on contracts that could benefit their adult children.

​ Orange County Register 

Edison takes early lead and cruises past undefeated Bonita to reach Division 3 semifinals

• November 16, 2024

LA VERNE – With Bonita’s two-way standout and Texas A&M commit on the sidelines with sweats after bruising his foot last week, the Bearcats were hoping they could find some momentum against fourth-seed Edison in Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals.

But the Chargers had other ideas, scoring on their first three possessions, and the Bearcats (11-1) struggled to find answers the rest of the way, suffering their first loss, 24-0

“They’re a damn good football team and a better team that we were,” Bonita co-head coach Steve Bogan said. “It was one of those nights, but they’re a well coached team and that’s why they won.”

Edison (8-4) advances to play the Cajon-Vista Murrieta winner in next week’s semifinals.

Edison’s Julius Gillick, a Montana commit and the school’s all-time leading rusher, injured his knee in the final moments of the first half, but not before rushing for 79 yards and a touchdown, and helping them build a 17-0 lead. He never returned.

Edison coach Jeff Grady talks about their complete effort in 24-0 win over Bonita to reach the D3 semifinals pic.twitter.com/YKGdHst4cQ

— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻‍💻 (@SGVNSports) November 16, 2024

Edison’s Sam Edmisten got most of the carries in the second half, finishing with 94 yards.

Edison quarterback Sam Thomson was stready throughout, throwing for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

End of the day, the Chargers did what they wanted.

“We just played good team football on both sides of the ball,” Edison coach Jeff Grady said. “When you shut a team ouy like this you’re doing something special on both sides of the ball. We started fast on both sides of the ball and special teams.”

Who knows what Mikhail, a linebacker, running back and receiver, would have done to change the outcome, but it was obvious the Chargers were more physical, holding Bonita’s tough sophomore running back Joseph Lara to just 35 yards. Quarterback Travis Lippert also couldn’t get it going with any consistency, completing 11-of-20 passes for 77 yards with an interception.

“It takes the unit,” Grady said of their defense effort. “We played good team football.”

Bogan said the loss of Mikhail was obvious.

“They came to hit us in the mouth and that’s where he is (Mikhail) to counter back,” Bogan said. “But that’s football. It was a little disappointing getting two drives down the field and not scoring, but it was a hell of a season. We’re not going to let this ruin it.”

Edison came out strong with  Ayden Degiacomo returned the kickoff 60 yards to the Bonita 40. The Chargers got a first down at the 10 and got as close as the four, but had to settle for Nico Bammer’s 23-yard field goal and 3-0 lead.

Gillick showed why he is so valuable with a 74-yard fun that set up his 4-yard TD run for a 10-0 lead with 3:05 left in the first quarter.

Bonita coach Steve Bogan after their 24-0 loss to Edison in the D3 quarterfinals. pic.twitter.com/JHOOc756Sf

— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻‍💻 (@SGVNSports) November 16, 2024

With Bonita continuing to struggle offensively, the Chargers kept adding to their lead.

Thomson delivered a 30-yard touchdown pass over the middle for Jake Minter to extend their cushion to 17-0 just a minute into the second quarter, and it stayed that way until half.

Thomson provided the explamation midway through the third quarter, thowing a 16-yard TD pass to Shea Summers.

​ Orange County Register 

High school football: Top photos from the quarterfinal playoff games Friday, Nov. 15

• November 16, 2024

It was another exciting Friday night for the high school football teams and fans.

Take a look at the best images captured by the Southern California News Group photographers.

To see all of our stories, scores and more from the games, go to the online High School Sports section.

​ Orange County Register 

Clippers routed by Rockets in their NBA Cup opener

• November 16, 2024

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON — The Clippers got Texas two-stomped in Houston.

Jabari Smith Jr. had a season-high 28 points with five 3-pointers, Alperen Sengun had a triple-double and the Houston Rockets never trailed in a 125-104 rout of the Clippers on Friday night in the NBA Cup Group Play opener for both teams.

It was Houston’s season-high fourth straight victory and the team’s second straight over the Clippers after handing them an 111-103 loss on Wednesday night.

James Harden had 21 points and six rebounds for the Clippers, who lost their third straight after winning their previous four. He made three 3-pointers to move into a tie with Ray Allen (2,973) for second on the NBA’s career 3-pointers list behind Golden State star Steph Curry, who entered Friday with 3,779.

Harden shot 3 for 6 from behind the arc in the first quarter to tie Allen, but he missed three more attempts the rest of the night and didn’t play in the fourth with Houston up by 19 entering the quarter. Most of his 3-pointers came with the Rockets, where he piled up 2,029 in nine seasons, was named an All-Star eight times and won the league MVP award in the 2017-18 season.

Harden, 35, has made 219 3-pointers with the Clippers, where he is beginning his second season after stops in Brooklyn and Philadelphia.

Kevin Porter Jr. had 15 points and Kris Dunn added 13 for the Clippers, who were flat in their two games in Houston after putting together their season-best winning streak. They shot 37.8% from the field on Friday (34 for 90) and went just 10 for 40 from 3-point range.

Sengun finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and two blocked shots for Houston, which shot 48.4% from the field and 19 for 44 from behind the arc. Fred VanVleet added 18 points and 10 assists, and Dillon Brooks scored 17. Tari Eason (17 points, six rebounds) and Amen Thompson (12 points) again gave Houston a boost off the bench. The two combined for 29 points after scoring 18 each in Wednesday’s win.

The Clippers used a 6-2 run to get within 12 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter before Houston scored the next nine points to extend the lead to 79-58. Brooks started that run with a 3-pointer before VanVleet found Jalen Green for an alley-oop dunk.

The Rockets had 20 fast-break points to just eight for the Clippers, who will need to regroup and find a way to get more production from their starting lineup while they await the still-to-be-determined return of All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, who continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired right knee.

UP NEXT

The Clippers host Utah on Sunday at 6 p.m.

​ Orange County Register 

Orange County scores and player stats for Friday, Nov. 15

• November 16, 2024

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

Scores and stats from Orange County games on Friday, Nov. 15

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.

FRIDAY’S SCORES

FOOTBALL

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

Quarterfinals

DIVISION 2

Newbury Park 24, San Clemente 13

DIVISION 3

Edison 24, Bonita 0

DIVISION 5

Summit 45, Huntington Beach 14

DIVISION 11

Portola 14, Santa Paula 10

GIRLS TENNIS

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

Finals

OPEN DIVISION 

Portola vs. Palos Verdes, ppd to Tuesday, 11 a.m., at University of Redlands

DIVISION 2

Campbell Hall 12, Brentwood 6

DIVISION 3

Santa Barbara 12, Santa Monica 6

DIVISION 7

Magnolia vs. Malibu, ppd to Monday, 1 p.m., at El Segundo HS

​ Orange County Register 

Anthony Davis, Lakers outlast Spurs to win NBA Cup opener

• November 16, 2024

SAN ANTONIO — After running the table in last year’s In-Season Tournament en route to winning the inaugural NBA Cup, the Lakers got off to a strong start in their request to claim back-to-back trophies.

Anthony Davis had a season-high 40 points and LeBron James recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double as the Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs, 120-115, on Friday night at Frost Bank Center in their first NBA Cup Group Play game.

“When we execute and we’re really sort of intentional about how we were using him in set plays, he got to some good spots,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of Davis. “I told him after the game, ‘I know you’re doing this now on a nightly basis. I’m not taking it for granted.’ It’s fun to coach. It’s fun to watch.”

Davis shot 14 for 26 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and went 10 for 12 from the free-throw line to go with 12 rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists – the second one leading to a James layup that gave the Lakers a 118-115 lead with 25 seconds left.

“Obviously we want to try to play better ball on this road trip than we did on our last road trip and they played extremely well on both sides of the floor,” James said in reference to their recent 1-4 trip. “But we kept our composure. We got stops – timely stops – and executed down the stretch and made the plays that we needed to make to win the game.”

James, who finished with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists, made a pair of free throws with 11 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Lakers (8-4). His triple-double streak is the longest of his 22-season Hall of Fame career.

“I played like [expletive],” said James, who shot 6 for 12 from the field and had seven turnovers. “Offensively, I was not in a good rhythm but being able to do other things – the best thing about my game is I can not have any rhythm offensively and still have an impact on the game. I was able to do that.”

Austin Reaves added 19 points, six assists and three rebounds, knocking down a 3-pointer with 1:59 remaining to give the Lakers a 114-113 lead during a back-and-forth finish.

The Lakers got off to a slow start, allowing the Spurs to score nine unanswered points to open the game as part of an 18-6 run in the first 5½ minutes.

Davis, averaging a career-high 31.1 points, stepped up his play from there. He scored 14 of his 16 first-quarter points in the final 7:07 of the period to help the Lakers grab a 31-30 lead going into the second.

Max Christie, who was back in the rotation for the first time in more than a week, D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent provided the Lakers with a boost off the bench.

Christie finished with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting to go with a pair of steals.

“Really happy for Max,” Redick said. “We’ve had two situations over the last week where a guy has been out of the rotation and then gotten back into the rotation. In Cam [Reddish’s] case, it was starting. And then for Max to not be in the rotation for three games to have the night he had, I’m just happy for him. It’s obvious to me as his coach that he’s capable of doing that every night because I’ve seen it for months. And we’ve had a number of discussions. I told him, ‘if you play that way, because I’ve seen you do it, I don’t want to take you off the court.’ The way that he fronted [Victor] Wembanyama when we went to red one through five [defensive switching], just completely disrupted their sort of half-court rhythm.”

Russell had 13 points, six assists and three steals, while Vincent had six points and three steals.

Rookie wing Dalton Knecht started in place of forward Rui Hachimura, who was sidelined because of a sprained right ankle, and finished with 14 points.

Spurs second-year star Victor Wembanyama had 28 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocked shots, but the Lakers defended the 7-foot-3 Frenchman better as the game wore on after he scored nine points in the first quarter. Wembanyama was coming off a career-best 50-point game on Wednesday.

“The main thing was just to come in here and get a win,” Reaves said, “and then go do the same thing tomorrow.”

The Lakers will travel to New Orleans for a matchup against the Pelicans on Saturday night.

​ Orange County Register