WrestleMania 39: Bianca Belair prepares for title defense against Asuka

• March 30, 2023

WWE RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will defend her title against Asuka at WrestleMania 39 this weekend at SoFi Stadium. Belair is closing in on a full calendar year as champion after beating Becky Lynch for the title last year at WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Belair spoke to the Southern California News Group about her time as a college athlete in the SEC (South Carolina, Texas A&M, Tennessee) and how she finds time to make her handmade wrestling gear.

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​ Orange County Register 

Russell Westbrook leads short-handed Clippers past Grizzlies

• March 30, 2023

By CLAY BAILEY The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Russell Westbrook might not be playing at the league MVP level he did earlier in his career, but he can still carry a team at times.

Westbrook had a season-high 36 points, Robert Covington had a season-best 27 points and the short-handed Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 141-132, on Wednesday night to open a two-game set.

The teams – both playing without several rotation players on Wednesday – will meet again Friday night in Memphis.

Westbrook made five 3-pointers without a miss and added 10 assists. Covington was 9 for 10 from the field, making all seven of his 3-point attempts.

Bones Hyland scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers pulled away in the final seven minutes.

“Just being composed,” Westbrook said about the difference down the stretch. “As a point guard, I was taught the last five or six minutes of the game were very important. Getting stops, getting good shots. We did a good job of executing down the stretch.”

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points and nine assists. Dillon Brooks added 30 points as all five Memphis starters finished in double figures. The Grizzlies had won seven in a row and 12 straight at home.

While the Clippers were already without All-Star Paul George as he recovers from a right knee sprain, two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was a late scratch for personal reasons.

The Grizzlies sat a number of key players on the second night of a back-to-back set. Morant was back after sitting out against Orlando on Tuesday night, but Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones and reserve John Konchar were declared out with various ailments.

The game built in intensity and the teams got into a scrum near midcourt in the third quarter with Brooks and Covington barking at each other. Throughout the game, coaches were yelling at officials, players were mouthing off to each other and the physical play put everybody on edge.

For the Clippers, the 3-point line was a huge benefit. They made 22 of 37 from behind the arc, fueled by Covington and Westbrook making all of their attempts.

“I think this is the first time in my career that I went perfect from the 3-point line,” said Covington, in his 10th season.

The shooting percentage from outside the arc – just under 60% – was well above the Clippers’ season average of 38%.

“Obviously, they made a lot of shots,” said Memphis forward Santi Aldama, who finished with 17 points on 6-of-7 from the field, adding: “The looks we gave them were very easy for the most part. They just got so many free looks.”

The win left the Clippers (41-36) in fifth place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of idle Golden State (40-37). But the way the middle of the conference is jumbled, each game is important.

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“It’s going to be tight,” Covington said of the playoff spots. “The West from four through 12 or 13 is like a three-game gap, something like that? So, anything can happen. That’s why these last five or six games for us are very important.”

Clippers: In addition to George and Leonard, Marcus Morris Sr. sat out his second game under the health and safety protocols. … Terance Mann started in Leonard’s spot. … Guard Norman Powell returned after missing 11 games with left shoulder subluxation and scored 13 points.

Grizzlies: Center Steven Adams missed his 30th game with a PCL sprain in his right knee. … Former Clipper Luke Kennard, obtained in a trade-deadline deal, started his 12th game of the season, but his first in a Memphis uniform. He finished with 12 points. … Memphis’ last home loss was on Feb. 5 to Toronto.

Russ finished with 36PTS tonight and caught up with @BSieman & @jimjackson419 @LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/pz7vGAl6M2

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

Ty Lue speaks with the media following the W against the Grizzlies@LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/Y7R1Ul0Clj

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

https://t.co/UtRiLn1tFl pic.twitter.com/cfV2Lst6iw

— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2023

RoCo @LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/YScFHGLy2N

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

What a move@LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/GLrLZhM6sv

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

​ Orange County Register 

Anthony Davis’ big night helps Lakers avenge loss to Bulls

• March 30, 2023

By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO — LeBron James wants to build up his stamina, and there are a few more little things he is working on.

“I think by the end of the road trip I should be pretty good,” he said.

He certainly looked pretty good Wednesday night and so did teammate Anthony Davis.

Davis had 38 points and 10 rebounds in his hometown and James had 25 points in his return to the starting lineup, leading the Lakers to a 121-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

“I always look forward to coming back home,” Davis said. “Kind of one of the first games I look at when the schedule drops. … It’s always a great feeling coming back, especially getting a win.”

James also had seven rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes in his second game back after he was sidelined for a month because of a torn tendon in his right foot. The four-time league MVP scored 19 points in Sunday’s 118-108 home loss to Chicago in just his second appearance as a reserve in his 20-year NBA career.

“I’m just trusting the work that I’ve been putting in,” James said. “I know I put in a lot of work. I know my body.”

Fighting for playoff position in the tightly packed Western Conference, the Lakers kicked off a five-game trip with their fourth win in five games overall, returning to .500 at 38-38 and sitting in eighth place. They used their league-high 38th starting lineup to get there, with Davis and James joined by D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Reaves had 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting to go with five assists and a memorable “too small” gesture on former teammate Patrick Beverley, while Russell added 17 points in his return after sitting out two games with a sore right hip.

“The No. 1 thing is we have multiple ball handlers,” James said of the latest starting group. “So no one has to feel stressed handling the ball every possession. We got shot-makers in that starting lineup. And we have a lot of length.”

Nikola Vucevic had 29 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Chicago in its second straight loss. DeMar DeRozan (Compton High, USC) scored 22 points, and reserve Coby White had 17 points and nine assists.

The Bulls (36-40) are 10th in the Eastern Conference, clinging to the last spot for the play-in tournament.

“Obviously we didn’t close the (first) half very well. … And in the third quarter, LeBron made some tough shots and then our inability to score with them hurt us,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said.

LaVine’s dunk got Chicago within seven with 56.7 seconds left in the third. But the Lakers quickly pulled away in the final period.

Dennis Schröder’s three-point play made it 97-79 with 8:22 left, capping a 12-3 Lakers run. Davis – who was 13 for 20 from the field – connected on his only 3-point attempt with 6:07 to go, lifting the Lakers to a 105-87 lead.

The Lakers shot 52% (45 for 86) from the field.

“Just wanted to try to put them in some uncomfortable positions with their defense,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said, “and sort of spread the ball around a little bit, not overdose on any one or two actions, but just try to slowly sift through the offense and see what was bringing us the most returns.”

After leading by as many as 17 in the first quarter and then squandering all of it, the Lakers closed the first half with a 10-0 run for a 59-51 lead at the break. James made four foul shots and a driving layup during the spurt.

“We understood the assignment,” James said of the payback win. “Every road trip is huge, but because of our season and the way things have gone, this is the biggest road trip for us in this moment.”

With six games left in the regular season, the Lakers are trying to show they can be a factor in the postseason, and Davis has often been leading the way.

“It all starts with A, man,” Ham said. “Him just playing with force, him not settling, putting pressure on the defense to foul, him just loving and living in the paint.”

Davis is optimistic about what this group can do.

“We’ve got everything we need. It’s just about going out and applying it,” he said after his 16th game this season with 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds. “We can definitely make a run. We’ve got all the right pieces from top to bottom.”

FAIR PLAY

Reaves had a little fun with Beverley in the fourth quarter.

After driving into the lane and making a floater over Beverley with 2:50 left, Reaves lowered his right hand to make the dismissive “too small” gesture players sometimes use to taunt their opponents.

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Beverley had done the same thing against James on Sunday.

“It wasn’t something I thought about doing all game,” Reaves said. “But I felt like right time, right situation. Me and Pat (have) a good relationship. I respect him. It’s just me competing.”

TIP-INS

Lakers: Russell started after he was sidelined for the previous two games. He went 7 for 12 from the field. … Led by Davis, the Lakers had a 45-32 rebounding advantage.

Bulls: Center Andre Drummond missed the game because of personal reasons. Drummond posted on Twitter on Tuesday that he was deleting his social media apps to focus on his mental health. … Guard Alex Caruso (left foot soreness) returned to the starting lineup after missing Monday night’s 124-112 loss to the Clippers in L.A. … Vucevic scored Chicago’s first 13 points of the game.

UP NEXT

The Lakers play at Minnesota (39-38) – the team directly in front of them in the standings – on Friday at 5 p.m. PT. The Lakers are 0-2 against the Timberwolves this season.

A dominant performance by AD

38 points
10 rebounds
65% FG

Lakers got the W in Chicago pic.twitter.com/4GF6yTbUti

— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2023

“I always try to come out and perform well and have this moment especially not just for me but for the family as well.” Anthony Davis is looking to take some teams out on the way to the playoffs and more. pic.twitter.com/abRKdMMqdo

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

“We understood the assignment… this is the biggest road trip for us at this moment.” @kingjames speaks about the importance of tonight and the road ahead. pic.twitter.com/02yxoiqvIp

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

Darvin Ham with his takeaways from tonight’s win over the Bulls and how the team is functioning with players returning. pic.twitter.com/inSUivaR6k

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

D’Angelo Russell addresses his hip injury, return, and what it’s like playing with the #Lakers on the floor. pic.twitter.com/WRm93xrbPQ

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

“Right time, right situation… it’s just me competing.” Austin Reaves was just having fun with Pat Bev and more on @SpectrumSN. pic.twitter.com/pY6QpLjJhX

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

​ Orange County Register 

Olivet University target of state attorney general complaint that could shut down Anza campus

• March 30, 2023

Amid a federal investigation into money laundering, labor trafficking and fraud at Olivet University, state Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs that could shutter the Anza-based Christian college.

The complaint, or “accusation” as it is called in official terms, was filed by Bonta on March 17 on behalf of Deborah Cochrane, chief of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. It alleges 14 violations of state education regulations found during unannounced site visits to Olivet’s main campus in Anza and a satellite campus in Mill Valley, near San Francisco, on Nov. 15 and Jan. 31, respectively.

Matthias Gebhardt is the fifth president of Anza-based Olivet University. (Photo by Angel Pena, contributing photographer)

DCA spokesperson Monica Vargas said in an email Wednesday, March 29, that an accusation initiates a hearing to determine whether an institution’s approval to operate should be revoked, suspended, limited or conditioned.

“The approval to operate remains in place pending the outcome of the proceedings,” Vargas said.

Cochrane is asking the Department of Consumer Affairs to either revoke or suspend Olivet’s approval to operate and order the university to pay the BPPE for the costs of its investigation and enforcement of the case, according to the complaint.

Olivet President Matthias Gebhardt did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Investigations

The postsecondary education bureau is a division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, but the Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday did not immediately respond to the question as to why it had filed the accusation on behalf of the BPPE.

Nor did Bonta’s office immediately say whether it was building a criminal or civil case of its own against Olivet in conjunction with a federal investigation of the embattled university that kicked off in 2019 by Homeland Security Investigations in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and district attorney’s office.

In April 2021, special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and Riverside County sheriff’s and district attorney’s investigators served a search warrant at Olivet. The warrant remains under seal, and the government has not disclosed any additional information since then. The focus of the probe reportedly has been fraud, money laundering and labor trafficking.

In April 2022, a former senior DHS official who was briefed on the case told Newsweek that federal agents were looking for any evidence of “force, fraud or coercion” in relation to international students, primarily ones from China and South Korea.

BPPE Anza visit

During BPPE’ unannounced site visit at Olivet in Anza, investigators were blocked from entering the 1,000-acre campus by an electronic gate, according to the complaint. After unsuccessfully trying to contact someone from the university by telephone, the investigators had to follow another vehicle inside that had accessed the gate, the complaint says.

Once inside, the investigators tracked down Gebhardt, asking first for copies of student files and a copy of a specific class syllabus. Gebhardt requested additional time to compile the student files, but did provide them. He did not, however, provide a copy of the class syllabus during the visits, according to the complaint.

Investigators then observed a microeconomics class underway, noticing that while students were present in class, the instructor was conducting the course via a live stream platform.

Mill Valley visit

At their surprise visit to Olivet’s campus in Mill Valley, BPPE officials requested copies of the faculty list, a campus map, course offerings for the winter 2023 term, a list of enrolled students and the faculty handbook.

Investigators requested to see student performance facts sheets for 2020 and 2021, but they were not readily made available. A staff member told them Gebhardt would provide the information by Feb. 3. But by Feb. 8, the investigators still had not received the information, and again requested the data, which was provided the following day, according to the complaint.

Alleged violations

A senior education specialist for the BPPE ticked off more than a dozen findings from the unannounced campus visits that were noted in the complaint, including:

Faulty records contained expired contracts or did not document which course(s) the faculty member was to instruct.
Insufficient faculty members to support the number of programs offered by the institution.
Insufficient number of faculty to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements.
Insufficient faculty to offer graduate degrees.
Inadequate staffing to produce documents requested in a timely fashion.
Inappropriately merged classes.
Two of three class sessions observed during the Anza site visit in November consisted of professors livestreaming via Zoom to students in the classroom, where a faculty member was not present

Among the 14 violations of the California Code of Regulations alleged in the complaint were insufficient course offerings, misrepresentation of method of instruction, faculty not meeting minimum education requirements, failure to demonstrate possession of sufficient financial resources and insufficient administrative staff.

Additionally, during the BPPE inquiry, Olivet failed to provide documentation of student withdrawal requests or proof of a refund for students listed on the withdrawn student list, according to the complaint.

Accreditation at risk

The latest action by the attorney general and BPPE also could influence Olivet’s accreditation, which already is on shaky ground.

In November, Olivet’s accrediting agency, the Association of Biblical Higher Education, placed the university on warning status through February 2024 for failing to demonstrate “integrity in all of its practices and relationships with strict adherence to ethical standards and its own stated policies.”

The association also criticized Olivet for failing in “honest and open communication” with its accrediting, licensing and governing agencies and compliance with legal and governmental regulations.

Olivet’s failure to resolve the deficiencies could result in action ranging from an extended warning status to withdrawal of its accreditation.

While the ABHE has taken no further action against Olivet since November, a regulation visit is scheduled at the Anza campus April 4 through April 6.

​ Orange County Register 

Woman arrested in connection with elderly mother’s apparent Buena Park homicide

• March 30, 2023

A 66-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the apparent homicide of her elderly mother in Buena Park on Tuesday, police said.

Maria Hernandez, 95, was found dead with “visible traumatic injuries” after authorities responded to a medical aid call in an apartment complex at 7551 Orangethorpe Avenue around 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to a press release from the Buena Park Police Department.

Mercedes Camarena, 66, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder after authorities located evidence of a homicide, the release said. It wasn’t immediately clear who made the call to 911 or who the apartment belonged to.

As of Wednesday evening, Camarena remained in custody at the Orange County Jail, according to jail records. Bail is set at $1 million.

Camarena is due in court Thursday.

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​ Orange County Register 

Santa Ana man fatally shot

• March 30, 2023

SANTA ANA — A 35-year-old man was found shot to death Wednesday in Santa Ana and in what detectives said could be a gang-related shooting.

Santa Ana Police Department officers received a call regarding a report of a person shot at approximately 1:36 p.m. and responded to Jetty Drive and Trask Avenue where they found a man with gunshot wounds to the upper torso, according to Sgt. Maria Lopez of the Santa Ana Police Department.

The victim was identified as Johnny Daniel Mercado of Santa Ana. Paramedics from the Orange County Fire Authority rendered aid to Mercado but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about this shooting was asked to call detectives at the SAPD Homicide Section at 714- 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. The case is eligible for the Gang Reward Program, Lopez said.

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​ Orange County Register 

Suspect in March 21 Irvine sexual assault arrested again, now also accused in 2021 assault of girl at store

• March 30, 2023

IRVINE — A 53-year-old man free on bail after allegedly exposing himself to a 9-year-old girl and assaulting her at a library in Irvine was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in a Target store in Irvine in 2021, authorities said Wednesday.

Christopher Eduard was arrested Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles in connection with a sexual battery of an 11-year-old girl inside the Target store at 13200 Jamboree Road on May 24, 2021, according to Irvine Police Department Sgt. Karie Davies.

Eduard had been arrested Friday and bailed out. That arrest was near his home on suspicion of exposing himself to a 9-year-old girl and assaulting her at the Orange County Public Libraries Irvine Heritage Park branch on Yale Avenue on March 21, according to Irvine police Lt. Bill Bingham.

Anyone with information helpful to investigators can contact Det. Nate Ridlon at nridloncityofirvine.org

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​ Orange County Register 

Mater Dei boys volleyball rallies to beat Servite in thrilling five-set match

• March 30, 2023

ANAHEIM – Mater Dei and Servite have engaged in some great battles in their decades-long rivalry in a variety of sports.

Add Wednesday’s boys volleyball match to the stack.

Mater Dei defeated Servite in five sets, 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16, 15-13, to take sole possession of first place in the Trinity League. The teams were tied for first going into Wednesday.

Mater Dei completed its comeback by scoring six of the fifth set’s final eight points to win the match.

The Monarchs are 16-7 overall and 5-0 in league. Servite is 12-10 and 4-1. The CIF Southern Section Division 1/2 poll has Servite at No. 7 and Mater Dei at No. 8.

Mater Dei senior opposite hitter Brett Bruder had a team-high 17 kills.

“Brett was a side-out machine for us,” said Mater Dei coach Jake Nuneviller.

Monarchs senior setter Cole Schobel, who signed with Loyola of Chicago, had nine kills, 15 digs and 34 assists. Junior middle blocker Tyler Robinson had seven blocks and senior libero Matthew Thornton contributed 13 digs.

Servite junior opposite hitter Eamon Rigdon had 34 kills, some of which, like several of Bruder’s slams, were of the velocity that would bust through a garage door. Senior setter Sergio Garcia had 48 assists and three aces and junior libero Quinn Rosenkranz had 14 digs.

The Friars had an 11-9 lead in the fifth set and seemed to be destined for victory. A Bruder block tied it 11-11. Robinson’s kill put the Monarchs on top 14-12, Rigdon got his final kill of the night to make it 14-13 and Bruder finished it with a kill.

Senior opposite hitter Brett Bruder with the match winner for Mater Dei. Monarchs defeat Servite in five sets … 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16, 15-13. ⁦@ocvarsity⁩ pic.twitter.com/2jEd5SUdcE

— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) March 30, 2023

“It was a battle,” Bruder said. “The Friars played really well tonight. It was really fun.”

Rigdon dominated in the first set won by Servite. Mater Dei was especially strong at the net in the second half of the second set to win it 25-22.

Rigdon, son of Mater Dei basketball all-time great Dylan Rigdon, was the main factor in the third set won by Servite.

The Monarchs gathered momentum halfway through the fourth set, outscoring Servite 16-7 to win it 25-16.

Servite had leads of 4-0 and 8-5 in the fifth set but Mater Dei rallied to victory.

“We scrapped really hard at the end,” Nuneviller said. “I thought we could have gotten out of the gate a little faster at the beginning of the match. Their opposite (Rigdon) was great, and we must find a way to contain him the next time we play because he killed us all night.”

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Mater Dei plays host to Servite on April 19.

Servite coach Matt Marrujo was disappointed by the outcome but pleased with the Friars’ effort.

“They represented everything we want our program to be,” Marrujo said. “They battled, they fought and did everything we wanted so I’m super-proud of them.”

Mater Dei’s next match is a league match at JSerra on Friday. Servite plays at league match at St. John Bosco on Friday.

​ Orange County Register