Summer Camp Guide 2023: How to book a just-right camp

• March 26, 2023

I was baffled when my eldest daughter became camp-age and fellow mothers were talking about summer camp in February. I was still recovering from the holiday season, and here we were looking five months ahead to when our children would once again be on break. Though most of us missed a summer or two of camp due to the pandemic, we’re back in action now, and back to planning ahead. Here are a few parent-to-parent pro-tips on booking summer camps this year.

1. Reflect on your child’s needs.

My daughter, entering fifth grade this fall, has a very scheduled and busy school year, full of a cappella rehearsals, piano and fencing lessons, and playdates. I learned my lesson last summer when she did four weeks of highly structured summer camp. She came home after week one and said, “This feels a lot like school.” So this year, I’ll help her pivot to a couple weeks of camp that are more fluid and fun. She has her eyes on a week of crafting camp, and maybe a week of “fun and games” camp. The point is, reflect on your child and what kind of camp best addresses their needs will make for a smoother, happier summer.

More from our Summer Camp Guide

Summer is the ultimate balancing act for families
Academic and STEM camps
Arts camps
City-run camps
Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Swim, surf and sailing camps

2. Try things old and new, and think about academics and emotional needs, too.

For some kids, summer is a great time for academic review and support; a neighbor of mine recently shared that her daughter had had a tough year in math class, so she was on the hunt for a summer experience that included that academic component.

On the flip side, if your child needs to unwind from academics, try a themed camp focused on a passion they have, or something totally different. Mack of Costa Mesa put both of her daughters in Vanguard University’s basketball camp, despite neither of them being basketball players. The girls had a great time, she said, and she was impressed by how well-organized and coached it was. This year, she’s considering the new-to-her Emerald Cove Day Camp, which offers archery, tide pool time, hiking and more.

3. Ask about approach, or camp philosophy.

You know yourself and your child’s needs best, so do some research before registering for a camp. Most speak directly to their mission on their website, so make sure what you read jives with what you desire from a camp. For example, Camp Izza in Irvine is all about relationships, and creating a safe and engaging space in which to build them.

“We believe that being able to relate to others while understanding and appreciating themselves is what matters most,” said Camp Izza founder Omar Ezzeldine. “The games and activities we play are less about what we are doing and more about who we are becoming and how we are accepting ourselves and others. Programs like ours tend to attract shy campers, or those that just need a space to be proud of who they are.”

4. Consider sleep-away camps for the older kids.

For kids ready to practice their independence from the family unit, consider a sleep-away camp, either close by or further from home. After many screenings of the movie “Parent Trap,” my oldest child was determined to try a one-week sleep-away experience this year; we opted for one in Fresno County, but there are plenty in or closer to Orange County itself, like Catalina Sea Camp, great for ocean adventurers. The camp offers one-week programs for campers 8 to 13, and three-week programs for those 12-17.

​ Orange County Register 

Summer Camp Guide 2023: Academic and STEM camps

• March 26, 2023

ADVENTURES IN STEM SCIENCE CAMP

Khoi Vu Bostic, 9, of Fullerton, at right, leads the way down the zip line at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center in 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

●  Ages: Junior Adventure Camp 6-10; Adventure Camp 11-17

●  Dates: TBA

● The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, 2 Irvine Park Road, Orange

● 714-923-3191

● www.outdooreducationcenter.org

Activities include nature hikes, mining, sustainability, astronomy, zip lining, archery, swimming, and arts and crafts.

More from our Summer Camp Guide

Summer is the ultimate balancing act for families
How to book a ‘just right’ camp
Arts camps
City-run camps
Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Swim, surf and sailing camps

CODE REV

● Ages: 6-14

● Weeklong camps: June 13-Aug. 5

● www.coderevkids.com/tech-camps

Weeklong summer tech camps for budding programmers, future video game designers, app developers, robotics engineers, 3D modelers and animators and just plain technology fans. Both in-person and online options are available.

FAIRMONT SUMMER PROGRAM

● Ages: 2-18

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 4

● 5310 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills; 1575 W. Marble St., Anaheim; 12421 Newport Ave., North Tustin; 2200 W. Sequoia Ave., Anaheim

● Summer department 714-234-2757 or the general school 714-765-6300

● fairmontsummerprograms.com

Choose from weekly summer camps that combine academic and enrichment activities, or a six-week academic program that offers individualized attention in reading, writing and mathematics. Additionally, there will be enrichment workshops that cover a variety of themes such as art, fashion, science and sports. Or spend the summer in college prep courses.

FUSION ACADEMY

Instructors Phill Allen, left, Weston Bales, Brennan Edmondson and David Wu perform a song during an art show at Fusion Academy in Mission Viejo on Thursday, April 6, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)

●  Ages: Kindergarten to college

● Summer school dates and times are flexible; best to just call Fusion directly

●  7711 Center Ave., Suite 120, Huntington Beach; 657-200-2300

● 23456 Madero, Suite 140, Mission Viejo; 949-716-7384

● fusionacademy.com

These programs allow students to catch up or get ahead in academic classes while also providing unique elective choices such as art, music or yoga. Tutoring is personalized for each student’s schedule. Off-site options are available.

ID TECH CAMPS

● Ages: 7-17

● Various programs run June 26-Aug. 11

● 888-709-8324

● idtech.com

This program offers more than 40 STEM courses in programming, video game design, robotics, web design, 3D printing, filmmaking and more. Day and overnight camp options available. Course options vary by week offered and location. In-person camp held on UC Irvine campus. Off-site options are available.

IPSF SUMMER ENRICHMENT ACADEMY

●  Ages: Kindergarten to 12th grade

●  Session A: June 12-30; Session B: July 10-27; Specialty Camps: July 31-Aug. 18

●  Beacon Park School, 200 Cultivate, Irvine; Cadence Park School, 750 Benchmark; Brywood Elementary School, 1 Westwood, Irvine; Cypress Village Elementary School, 355 Rush Lily, Irvine; Eastwood Elementary School, 99 Meander, Irvine; Oak Creek Elementary, 1 Dovecreek, Irvine

●  949-263-8340

●  www.ipsf.net/summer

More than 400 enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students in art, music, science, math, reading and writing, languages, sports, drama, and STEM. High school academic camps develop skills students need for high school and college. Held throughout the Irvine Unified School District. Off-site options are available.

PLANETBRAVO TECHNOTAINMENT CAMP

● Ages: Second to ninth grade

● One-week sessions run June 12 through Aug. 11

● 4947 Alton Pkwy Irvine

● 310-443-7607

● planetbravo.com

PlanetBravo brings fun, engaging technology instruction that boosts kids’ confidence and gives them multimedia skills with their friends. Kids learn to code, make movies, build robots, modding minecraft and more.

RUSSIAN SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS

●  Ages: Kindergarten to 12th grade

● Dates: June 26-Aug. 3

● 3996 Barranca Parkway, No. 110, Irvine, 949-551-1777; 960 Roosevelt, 2nd floor, Irvine, 949-593-0080; 25571 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949-864-6592

● russianschool.com

Two intensive six-week summer math enrichment programs are offered — a traditional course will prepare your child for the year ahead, while reinforcing the work done over the year, and the competitors program serves those students interested in advanced mathematical topics.

ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY

● Summer Enrichment Program for boys entering third through eighth grade

● Dates: June 20-July 14

● 215 N. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim

● 714-772-1363

● stcatherinesacademy.org

Summer Enrichment Program offers math and language arts classes in the morning, followed by sports, recreational activities, military activities and off-campus outings for the rest of the day.

SUMMER AT SAGE

● Ages: 5-14 (Program dependent)

● 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast

● June 26-July 28

● 949-219-0100

● sagehillschool.org

Students from the area can immerse themselves in credit or noncredit classes, workshops, and academics, arts and athletics camps.

SUMMER KNIGHTS DAY CAMP

● Ages: Preschool to eighth grade

● 32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel

● Dates: June 12-July 28

● 949-276-6700

● www.st-anne.org

Camp at St. Anne School will include a balance of light academics, arts and crafts, recreation, sports and field trips.

SYLVAN SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS

●  Ages: Different camps serve students in grades 1-9

●  Various times throughout the summer; best to contact local representatives

● Locations in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo

● www.sylvanlearning.com/camps/stem

The Sylvan EDGE summer camps teach kids STEM skills, early reading, robotics, coding, engineering, pre-algebra and writing. Off-site options are available.

TIGER WOODS LEARNING LAB

● Ages: Fifth through 12th grade

● Dates: July 11-28

● 1 Tiger Woods Way, Anaheim

● 714-765-8000

● tgrfoundation.org

Summer classes from students interested in an interactive, career-focused experience.

TUSTIN SUMMER ACADEMY

Students prepare to launch a handmade bottle rocket into the air during Tustin Summer Academy’s showcase at Orchard Hills School. (Photo by Shelby Wolfe, Orange County Register/SCNG)

● Ages: Kindergarten-eighth grade

● June 12-July 7

● Orchard Hills School 11555 Culver Drive, Irvine

● 714-832-6299

● www.tpsf.net/summer

Enrichment program designed, written and taught by credentialed Tustin Unified teachers. Classes are meant to expand knowledge and nurture creativity and curiosity. Off-site options are available.

URBAN WORKSHOP STEM CAMP

● Ages: 10-16

● April 24-Aug. 25

● 365-A Clinton St., Costa Mesa

● 949-296-2153

● urbanworkshop.net/summercamp

Kids learn about hand tools, CAD and 3D printing, laser etching, silk screening, metal shop, welding, wood-working and electronics. All levels of skill welcome.

​ Orange County Register 

University boys tennis falls to Punahou of Hawaii in finals of All-American tournament

• March 26, 2023

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NEWPORT BEACH — University boys tennis coach John Kessler joked that he knew his Trojans, coming off consecutive comeback victories at the All-American tournament, were in trouble when they took an early lead against Punahou of Hawaii in the final Saturday.

Kessler maintained his sense of humor and pride in his team after Punahou lived up to its No. 1 seed by dramatically rallying to dethrone reigning champion University 5-4 at Palisades Tennis Club.

Punahou captured the prestigious, 16-team tournament for the first time.

“I’m proud of them. We battled,” Kessler said of his squad, which suffered its first loss the season. “I think we’re a pretty deep team and they are as well. They just came out on top. It happens.”

“You got to lose with class,” the veteran coach added. “It’s OK. There’s bigger things coming (this season) hopefully.”

University, a four-time winner of the national event, opened a 2-1 lead after the teams’ three doubles sets. Punahou responded by claiming four of the six singles sets. The Honolulu powerhouse sprinted to the victory, claiming the final three sets that finished at No. 2 singles, No. 6 singles and No. 5 singles, respectively.

Dozens of players and spectators crowded the courts in the far corner of the club to watch the No. 5 and No. 6 singles decide the final margin. The tournament format challenged the schools to use six players for singles in the finals instead of five in earlier rounds.

Punahou’s No. 6 Seiya Kudo edged University freshman left-hander Langston Walter-Wu 8-7 (7-2) in a tie-breaker. No. 5 Tanner Ige then defeated Trojans’ sophomore left-hander Joe Chan 8-6 for the championship-clinching point, ignite a wild celebration by Punahou.

“It’s massive,” Punahou coach Ikaika Jobe said of the victory, “especially for a Hawaii team to come here for everyone to take us seriously this time. A lot of the mainland teams don’t really take the Hawaii guys as seriously so it was really nice to be able to showcase our talent.”

Final: Punahou of Hawaii edges ⁦@UNI_ATHLETICS⁩ 5-4 to win the National All-American tourney, big-time clash came down to depth ⁦@ocvarsity⁩ pic.twitter.com/47W9rzxV6o

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) March 26, 2023

University rallied in the semifinals to edge No. 2 seeded Menlo 4-4 on games (57-47) to reach its ninth tournament final. The Trojans trailed 3-0 after doubles. Punahou defeated Peninsula 5-3 in the other semifinal.

On Friday, University rallied to defeat Memphis University School of Tennessee 5-3 after trailing the quarterfinal match 2-1.

The Trojans, whose main goal is to defend their CIF-SS Open Division crown, have quickly revamped this spring.

They have added transfer James MacDonald at the top of the lineup and sophomore Ari Lens, who played at No. 4 singles in the final. The duo joins returning standouts Ani Gupta (Claremont-Mudd-Scripps commit) and SangHyuk Im.

University’s matching was especially effective at No. 1 doubles. MacDonald and Im won in the finals 8-7 (7-4). Andrew Ke and Bradley Yung added an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.

Great start for @UNI_ATHLETICS as it wins 2/3 matches in doubles, including this one at #1 in a tie-breaker by SangHyuk Im and James MacDonald @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/ogFgTzaFmv

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) March 25, 2023

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The Trojans moves have come after standout sophomore twins Champion and Winner Oke decided not to play high school this season.

But despite all the moves, University was again in contention Saturday.

“The way the team all comes together as one, I really was not expecting that,” said MacDonald, a former Brentwood standout who didn’t play high school tennis last season. “We all practice together, train hard together, and it’s a great to see our success as a team.

“Coach (Kessler) fosters a really great environment that brings all the kids together,” MacDonald added. “It’s an experience that I’m so glad that I’m taking part in.”

MacDonald and Gupta, along with the Corona del Mar duo of Niels Hoffmann and Jack Cross, were selected to the all-tournament team.

​ Orange County Register 

Public-employee unions trample our public services

• March 26, 2023

SACRAMENTO – In a short 1814 fable from Russian poet Ivan Krylov, the Inquisitive Man spends three hours at a natural history museum and tells his friend he “saw everything there was to see and examined it carefully” and found it “all so astonishing.” The friend then asks what he thought of the elephant. The man retorted: “(D)on’t tell anybody – but the fact is that I didn’t notice the elephant!”

That is the origin of the phrase, “the elephant in the room.” It means, as Cambridge Dictionary explains, “an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about.” There are many reasons people ignore a 10,000-lb. creature blocking their way, but often it involves cowardice. It’s too hard – or controversial – to discuss how it got there and how to get rid of it.

This is an obvious allegory to California’s state government. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently proposed a new bond measure to fund programs to deal with the state’s homelessness crisis. California already spends several billion dollars a year on the problem. Localities such as Los Angeles spend as much as $1 million per unit on housing for homeless people, yet the problem keeps getting worse.

Last year, California spent approximately $136 billion on its public schools. The latest data shows dramatic drops in test scores, with only a third of the state’s students meeting math-proficiency standards. If you’re apt to solely blame the pandemic shutdowns, consider that a 2019 study found only 30 percent of students proficient in reading.

Throughout California, pension costs keep rising, grabbing a larger share of local budgets and crowding out public services. Despite a previous $97.5-billion budget surplus, California has been remarkably unable to fix its creaky transportation system, improve public-school performance, provide adequate water supplies during the recent drought, deal with misbehaving police officers, provide safe and user-friendly transit systems and, well, you name it.

Just try to name one California agency that’s known for its efficiency and high levels of service. (It’s a trick question.) Nevertheless, the Legislature and governor spend enormous time and resources trying to address these intractable problems through various tax-increase proposals, legislation, reforms, oversight commissions, inspector generals, auditors, lawsuits and bond measures. Yet the public never sees substantive improvement.

The reason is everyone is politely avoiding the giant pachyderm. I’m referring to the state’s public-sector unions, which – thanks to their enormous financial might and legions of members – control the Capitol. The California Teachers’ Association is the most-powerful voice in education. Police and fire unions are the best-funded and most muscular political players at the local level. The prison guards’ union has an inordinate influence in corrections policy.

Unions aren’t entirely to blame for California’s myriad problems and crises, but they provide a heckler’s veto to any reform idea that could realistically improve public services. Consider how vociferously teachers’ unions opposed school reopenings. Lawmakers rarely propose any idea that would antagonize any of the state’s easily antagonized unions. Imagine running a business where the employees could immediately quash any proposal that might help consumers or reduce operating costs.

“Through their extensive political activity, these government-workers’ unions help elect the very politicians who will act as ‘management’ in their contract negotiations – in effect handpicking those who will sit across the bargaining table from them,” noted Daniel DiSalvo in a 2010 article in National Affairs. No wonder California’s municipal firefighters earn on average more than $200,000 a year – even as the state complains about an inadequate number of firefighters.

Sadly, no one with power even mentions these obvious roadblocks as they seek to reform any aspect of any public service. The progressive Democrats who control Sacramento are attached at the waist to public-sector unions, so they sidestep the elephant even though it’s trampling (and pooping) on their favorite programs. They side with this well-heeled special interest – and with workers who earn unfathomable compensation packages – even though it hurts the poor.

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Republicans will thankfully blast CTA and SEIU, but they take a “don’t see the elephant” approach when it comes to police unions – who protect abusive officers the same way that teachers’ unions coddle their incompetents. Like all unions, the police and prison-guard varieties actively lobby for higher taxes and derail even the most modest proposed changesin how their departments operate. Policing is a tough job, but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve oversight and revamp procedures.

“Accountability is basically nonexistent in American government,” wrote Philip K. Howard in his new book, NOT Accountable: Rethinking the Constitutionality of Public Employee Unions. “Performance doesn’t matter. … Police unions, teachers unions, and other public sector unions have built a fortress against supervisory decisions. Political observers rue union power but treat it as a state of nature.”

Until we acknowledge that it’s not natural for the elephant to dominate the room, the state will never fix its problems or improve its ailing public services.

Steven Greenhut is Western region director for the R Street Institute and a member of the Southern California News Group editorial board. Write to him at [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

Ducks drop 4th straight game after loss to Blues

• March 26, 2023

ANAHEIM — All it took was three shifts with skilled linemates in his third NHL game for Nikita Nesterenko of the Ducks to realize one of those long-held ambitions, the dream of every young hockey player.

Scoring a goal in the NHL.

One of those linemates, rookie center Mason McTavish delivered a pinpoint pass from between the circles to Nesterenko, who was stationed at the right side of the net, shooting it between St. Louis defenseman Torey Krug’s legs and into the wide open net.

Nikita Nesterenko gets his first NHL goal. pic.twitter.com/0TpupicP4z

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 26, 2023

“He’ll never forget that one and I think anytime you’re a teammate, or a coach … those are always feel-good moments like a kid’s first game the other night,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “He scores and that’s another huge one. So that’s about the only positive from tonight. For whatever reason, we wanted to get into a track meet. And we’re just not built to outscore our mistakes.”

It was a mostly desultory night for the Ducks, who gave up goals early and often in a 6-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night at Honda Center. Not only did the Ducks suffer their fourth straight loss but they played the third period without their second-leading scorer Troy Terry. Terry, who left in the second intermission, was not injured but dealing with a personal matter, according to the Ducks.

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They were up 2-1 in the first period before allowing five consecutive goals to the Blues, who rallied to take a 3-2 lead by the end of the first and added two more goals in the second and another in the third.

Forwards Brayden Schenn and Kasperi Kapanen and defenseman Colton Parayko each had three points for the Blues. Ducks goaltender John Gibson made 30 saves.

The other Ducks goals were scored by Terry on the power play, his 21st of the season, at 1:46 of the first and Ryan Strome, his 14th of the season, at 5:39 of the third period.

Nesterenko’s goal, at 4:05 of the first, put the Ducks in front 2-1. He made a point of immediately shifting the focus to McTavish and Terry, who had the secondary assist, when he spoke about his first goal in the NHL after the game.

“Terry made a great play, dropped it back to Mac-T and then he made an unbelievable pass, found me,” Nesterenko said. “I had an open net so all I had to do was put it in. Great play by both of them.”

What went through his mind once he scored?

“The relief, I guess,” Nesterenko said. “I pointed to Mac-T. It was all him on the pass, so gotta celebrate with him for setting it up. Lot of relief, for sure.”

Said McTavish: “(Terry) made a nice little area pass to me. I had some space in the middle and I saw (Nesterenko) push off his D and create some space for himself. It was a really good play by him and I just found a lane.

“That was a tough pass to one-time. It was pretty hard.”

Importantly, Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk made sure to get the puck for Nesterenko. Nesterenko’s father Mikhail was on hand at Honda Center for his first game on Tuesday and the first-goal moment on Saturday.

A photo of a photo on a memorable night for Nesterenko pic.twitter.com/G3UnQ6nsxA

— lisa dillman (@reallisa) March 26, 2023

Eakins praised the pass that led up to the goal.

“It was a great play – great scanning ability eyesight by Mac-T,” he said. “Then even just for Nikita to get in the net at that angle. Great play all the way around.”

Eakins had seen enough from Nesterenko in his first two games to put him with Terry and McTavish on Saturday.

“Nikita’s driving a little offense quietly. I don’t want to throw him totally into the deep end of the pool,” Eakins said on Saturday morning. “I just want to kind of edge him along. We’ll see how this goes for him. Going with these guys, he’s going to see a little bit more action on the back end from St. Louis because of Troy.

“He’s skating really well. He’s looking to make plays. He’s not being shy and he’s not deferring….I just thought through a very small sample size he has earned it.”

Said McTavish: “I really like playing with him, actually. He’s got a really good stick, creates a lot of turnovers with his speed. Really smart player. Finds space to get open, like on the goal.

“Makes some really good plays, area passes on the wall. I’ve been really impressed with him and hopefully can keep playing with him.”

​ Orange County Register 

Denis Bouanga’s late goal secures LAFC’s victory over Dallas

• March 26, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Deep in the home stretch of last year’s championship season, the Los Angeles Football Club visited Dallas with a month to go hoping to lock down the Supporters’ Shield and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

After defender Ryan Hollingshead picked up an early red card, LAFC battled to a late 1-0 lead until Dallas’ stunning two-goal comeback.

In the end, the Black & Gold departed Texas with something more valuable than the three points they coughed up that night.

“That’s the beauty of football,” said LAFC center back Jesus Murillo, who joined the rest of his teammates by being caught off guard when Dallas scored the equalizer off a quick restart following a foul. “It gives you a lesson every game.”

The key takeaway: lacking concentration for a mere moment can ruin everything.

“I think it served us good to shift our mentality for the rest of the season,” Murillo said.

That awareness boosted LAFC to its first MLS Cup. And through four matches of the 2023 league campaign, an unbeaten streak now includes a 2-1 victory over Dallas.

Saturday’s result at BMO Stadium gave LAFC three victories and a draw in MLS this month, along with a berth into the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.

Saturday’s game-winner came courtesy of Denis Bouanga, who was with the Gabonese national team in Africa the day before.

“I have high objectives for myself and the group,” said the Frenchman. “I believe we have a fantastic group. We can do it back-to-back, and I want to help us do it.”

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On Thursday, Bouanga played 90 minutes in Gabon’s 1-0 African Cup of Nations qualifier victory over Sudan. Two days later, following a 13-hour flight from Turkey, Bouanga arrived at Los Angeles International Airport a couple of hours before kickoff. By a quarter to 7, he made it to BMO Stadium, where the team was in the middle of its pregame meeting.

“You never know in what condition a player comes back but certainly the door for Denis will always be open,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo. “We were communicating with him at all times and he felt he could contribute. That speaks volumes for his character and attitude and, I guess, his love for LAFC because he said he really wanted to help and he really wanted to play and did everything in his power to make that happen.

“We’re ecstatic that he was able to do that and it also speaks for his professionalism. So Denis is in great form and you can see he loves being here and playing here and he was able to contribute once again.”

The dynamic 27-year-old Designated Player prevented what would have been a difficult-to-stomach draw considering LAFC controlled the balance of the match while Dallas played down a man for more than an hour. Following a video review by referee Lukasz Szpala, a hard elbow to the face of Sergi Palencia elevated a yellow card to a straight red on defender Ema Twumasi.

“Questionable one but it didn’t go in our favor,” said Dallas head coach Nico Estévez, who picked up a yellow card on the sidelines during first-half stoppage time and afterward quibbled with Szpala’s decision regarding Twumasi.

To that point, LAFC was quick to pressure the visitors on their attacking side of the field. Cherundolo’s group pressed high for the first 15 minutes, creating turnovers in dangerous spots, one of which led to midfielder Timothy Tillman’s second goal of the season 134 seconds after the opening whistle — the fifth fastest in club history.

Dallas (2-2-1, 7 points) appeared to tie the game in the 18th minute when it caught LAFC scrambling on a counter attack. A blocked shot by star forward Jesus Ferreira rebounded to the top of the circle, where Edwin Cerrillo beat John McCarthy. Szpala disallowed the goal when he ruled following a video review that forward Jader Obrian screened McCarthy from an offside position.

Dallas eventually broke through in the 73rd minute, when defender Nkosi Tafari snapped LAFC’s scoreless streak dating back its league opener against Portland on March 4.

LAFC (3-0-1, 10 points) created numerous chances, including a penalty attempt by Carlos Vela when the captain was fouled in the box.

Vela, however, hit his shot off the crossbar, keeping the match level until Bouanga scored from an impossible angle in the 84th minute.

Gathering a corner kick that overshot LAFC attackers, Bouanga immediately fired in a cross and the trajectory of the ball curled toward the near post. Guarded by goalkeeper Maarten Paes and former LAFC defender Sebastien Ibeagha, who received his MLS Cup championship ring prior to the contest, Bouanga’s third goal of the MLS season (and sixth overall including CONCACAF) missed his former teammate and flew through Paes’s legs into the back of the net.

“I felt really good right when I stepped in the building and saw my teammates and the supporters with the atmosphere of game day,” Bouanga said. “When I stepped in I did what I had to do to find that goal that came at the right moment for the team.”

​ Orange County Register 

Pelicans handle Clippers, Kawhi Leonard leaves game early

• March 26, 2023

LOS ANGELES — The Clippers are expected to be without All-Star wing Paul George for the remainder of the regular season and potentially the first round of the playoffs, making advancing deep into the postseason more difficult.

But the Clippers need to get there first and Saturday’s 131-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans didn’t point them in the right direction.

With just seven games left before the postseason begins, the Clippers (39-36) need to stack up victories to hold onto their spot in the top half of the Western Conference and avoid the Play-In Tournament. A 21-point defeat was not the way to go, especially if Kawhi Leonard misses any games after suffering a facial contusion.

From the start, the Pelicans, who were missing star Zion Williamson (hamstring) outhustled the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. New Orleans raced out to an 8-0 lead and, it didn’t get much better for the Clippers as the game progressed. Brandon Ingram and Trey Murphy III were just getting warmed up.

The two Pelicans stars bombarded the Clippers from behind the 3-point line all game, finishing with a combined 13 3-pointers. Ingram scored a team-high 32 points, his second consecutive 30-point game, behind 12-of-22 shooting including three 3-pointers. He also contributed 12 assists and four rebounds in three quarters.

Murphy III finished with 32 points on a career-high 10 of 12 3-pointers and 9 of 12 shots overall. There was little the Clippers could do.

Overall, the Pelicans made 21 of 34 3-point attempts, compared to the Clippers’ -5 of 33

“To start the game, I thought they were faster than us,” Coach Tyronn Lue said. “They got out in transition. They created mismatches in transition because of the way they pushed it.

“We weren’t able to get back and get matched. Ingram came out and got to his spots early in the game. We tried to double team Ingram, which opened up Murphy to get 3’s. You just kind of pick your poison.”

For the Clippers to be effective during George’s absence, Lue said the team needs to play with increased energy. The pace needs to be amped up and that can’t rest with their trio of energetic guards – Rusell Westbrook, Bones Hyland and Terance Mann. Leonard must be part of the mix.

“For him (Leonard) to play fast and attack early in transition or early in the clock, that helps him out because now teams aren’t getting back, getting set or able to double team him as much,” Lue said.

Leonard didn’t factor into the Clippers offense much, finishing with a quiet 12 points, six rebounds and four assists before leaving the game in the fourth quarter. Lue didn’t have an update on the star forward.

“Tonight, was a tough night,” Lue said. When both of them were off (George and Leonard) and when you play against a team that’s pretty good, you struggle.”

Eric Gordon made all three of his long-range shots and finished with 15 points, while three others scored in double figures.

The Clippers discovered it difficult to step up the pace when the Pelicans were running circles around them. Not only did they fail to stop Ingram and Murphy III, but the Clippers were also outrebounded (45 to 31), turned the ball over 20 times, scored just four second-chance points and gave up 54 points in the paint.

“I thought they really came out to attack us tonight and they did that,” Lue said. “On the offensive end, 20 turnovers for 28 points are too many, especially for a fast team like this. You can’t allow turnovers and expect to get back and get matched in transition so, it was a tough game for us tonight.

“They played well. Hats off to them.”

​ Orange County Register 

Ducks’ Adam Henrique: ‘I want to be healthy going into the summer’

• March 26, 2023

ANAHEIM — Ducks forward Adam Henrique looked to be channeling his inner Patrick Eaves, showing impressive beard growth in the time he has been out of the lineup with an injured knee.

Still, his former teammate, Eaves, set the facial-hair bar quite high back in the day.

“That will take a long time,” Henrique said, of approaching Eaves. “It (the beard) is something I’ve been working on, I guess, the whole time I’ve been out. Not much else to do.”

The state of Henrique has been trending in a positive way. He was able to finally take part in a meaningful practice, at the morning skate at Honda Center, for the first time since suffering the injury on Feb. 21 at Tampa Bay.

After the Ducks-Blues games, there will be nine games remaining in the regular season and Henrique is competing with the calendar. The veteran doesn’t have anything to prove at this stage of his career, but he explained on Saturday morning why he is pushing to return.

“It’s just more for me,” said Henrique, who had 19 goals and 14 assists in 57 games. “The timeline and the time left in the season – it’s pretty close. We’ve taken steps, the progression of where we think we will be and where we are at times. Things have come along well.

“I think it’s just more for me to get a couple of games where it’s more peace of mind really. I’m not trying to rush back for anything. On a personal note, I want to be healthy going into the summer and not have to worry about anything. Part of that would be to get a couple of games in. Where you can be out there and play and not have any doubt or think about the knee.”

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Ducks coach Dallas Eakins was able to get out on the ice on Friday with Henrique, who was skating before practice.

“He’s inching along and he seems hungry to play,” Eakins said. “We’ll see where that goes. Any time a guy has been out that long, his teammates are always happy to see him.”

Ice chips 

Frank Vatrano wasn’t available to talk after the Ducks-Winnipeg Jets game on Thursday – the Ducks forward has scored in back-to-back games – but had an excellent reason for trying to leave Honda Center as fast as possible. His wife Rebecca was due to give birth in the upcoming days.

Their first child  – daughter Ophelia – was born on Saturday morning and Vatrano missed Saturday night’s game against the Blues. It was the first game Vatrano, who has 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) has missed this season. Trevor Zegras, Ryan Strome and Cam Fowler are the only Ducks to have appeared in every game this season.

Rebecca and Frank Vatrano welcomed their first child into the world today!

A baby girl named Ophelia.

Frank will be out of the lineup tonight. pic.twitter.com/QEKOPibszV

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 25, 2023

Michigan Man

Ducks center Mason McTavish keeps a close eye on the progress of his good friend and former Team Canada teammate Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Johnson, who played two years at the University of Michigan, happened to score a dazzling lacrosse-style goal, a “Michigan,” against the visiting New York Islanders on Friday night.

McTavish: “It’s probably the goal of the year.”

27 years after “The Michigan Goal” was born by Mike Legg, a 20-year-old who played at @umichhockey just pulled it off in the @NHL.

What a goal by @BlueJacketsNHL forward Kent Johnson! pic.twitter.com/VGRnjianlX

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 25, 2023

​ Orange County Register