Page 4 March 7, 2013 Turning Their Season Around Joe’s Sports By Adam Serrao Jamison have all come alive since the All- Local Small Schools Capture say that should they make the playoffs, and the big three off of the bench. “This second CIF Soccer TitlesSome say it may be a little too late. OthersStar break and are settling into their roles as that they are a squad that no other team would group…” Blake continued, “We’re settling in want to face. No matter what the people to know our roles and the things we can get By Joe Snyder which captured the CIF-Southern Section are saying, however, it is evident that the and how to play with each other.” That fact Two local smaller high schools in Animo Division IIAA championship last season, Los Angeles Lakers are turning their season perhaps became most evident in last week’s Leadership High of Inglewood and Lennox advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious around. Perhaps the team has been inspired game against the Minnesota Timberwolves Academy won CIF-Southern Section crowns Division IAA where it visited powerful by the unfortunate passing of Dr. Jerry Buss in which the Lakers won by 22 points. The last Saturday at Corona High. Animo won Mater Dei in Santa Ana on February 26. and the emotional tribute that was paid to the Lakers’ bench, which has consistently been its fourth Southern Section crown, but the The Sentinels looked good by taking a man who built the team before they went out the weak point of the team over the past few first in six seasons with a 3-1 victory over 19-9 lead early in the second quarter, but and dismantled the Boston Celtics. Perhaps years, finally showed up by scoring 52 of the top-seeded Carter High from Rialto to win the top seed Monarchs got serious and the increase in intensity is due to a more team’s 116 points. Jamison led all reserves the Division VI. dominated the remainder of the game. active and healthier Dwight Howard who has with 17 points, while Meeks tallied 16. Both Juan Arellano gave the Aztec-Eagles When premiere head coach Gary finally looked like Lakers fans have expected Meeks and Jamison gave Blake credit, however, (24-2-1) the lead for good with a goal McKnight, who has an inspiring 956-85 him to look all year long. No matter what saying that his 13 points, seven rebounds and in the 48th minute. Arellano scored on a record over his 30-year-plus stint despite the real reason is, it is clear that a motivated six assists was the main reason for their own pass from the left side by Jesus Gutierrez. being upset in the finals by Etiwanda 54-51 Howard, Kobe Bryant and Lakers team as a individual successes. “I’ve settled down with Arrellano then added an assist when he last Saturday at the Anaheim Convention whole is a team to be reckoned with going these guys and given them rope to play,” said cross-passed to Afredo Lugo, who scored Center Arena, switched from a man-to- forward. With just about 20 games left in the head coach Mike D’Antoni. “Before we were the match’s final goal. man to a match-up zone, Inglewood was regular season, the Lakers may be catching trying to find who could do it, who can’t. I Animo’s first goal came in the 28th badly thrown off. minute, when Arellano passed to Lugo, Mater Dei finished the first half with a who failed on his shot, but Anthony Martin 19-5 run to grab a 27-23 halftime lead. “I feel really good out there,” Blake said. came in and headed the ball into the goal. The Monarchs stretched their lead to 33- It was Martin’s 20th goal of the season. 23 third period lead behind back-to-back Two minutes later, Carter tied the game three-point baskets by senior guard Elijah their groove at precisely the right time. didn’t know everybody and how they would at one when Heriberto Lucero scored on Brown, son of former Los Angeles Lakers We see it in sports all the time. Teams fit, but with Steve Nash coming back and now a rebound after a near goal from a free head coach Mike Brown. Randy Onwuasor get hot at the right time and go on to enter Steve Blake, it helps these guys.” kick from 24 yards out that was saved by then scored six points to help the Sentinels into the playoffs, make a run and win a Clearly, it has been helping the entire team. Aztec-Eagle goalkeeper Celesto Cruz. Cruz cut their deficit to 33-30 with 5:42 left championship. The Baltimore Ravens just In the first five games after the All-Star break, had five saves. Sparking Animo’s defense in the third quarter. From there, though, did it this past year in football as they too the Lakers put up an impressive 4-1 record were Edgar Gonzalez, Frank Duran, Ernesto Mater Dei proved too much as it went battled through injuries all season long while scoring just over 110 points per game. Lopez and Brandon Ramos. on to lead by as many as 22 points and suffered to key players on their roster. Once Those numbers are certainly more of what Animo’s Southern Section title and coasted to a 65-48 victory. the team was finally healthy, however, they Laker fans were expecting out of D’Antoni outstanding overall record earned the For the game, Inglewood shot just 25 went on to beat Peyton Manning and Tom once he took the lead in L.A. But the bench team a top seed in the Southern California percent from the floor, including going two Brady, amongst others, to eventually win the is just one factor in the Lakers’ success. Of Regional Division III playoffs that began for 17 from three-point range. Onwuasor Super Bowl. The Lakers look as if they may course there is Bryant, along with Nash and last Tuesday. The Aztec-Eagles hosted CIF- was the Sentinels’ only player to score in have a chance to follow that same script. Howard who are continually getting healthier. San Diego Section Division IV runner-up double figures with 16 points. Brandon Steve Nash is finally healthy and looks as if One other main reason the Lakers are finally Mater Dei Catholic High from Chula Vista. Randolph added eight points. he will be a key contributor for the Lakers finding success, however, is because of their If Animo wins, it will be at home in the Despite the semifinal loss, Inglewood during this stretch run. Howard looks more head coach. No one in Los Angeles will semifinals today at 3 p.m. The finals are is in the Southern California Regional energetic and is playing with more intensity ever be quick to give D’Antoni credit for on Saturday at a site to be determined. playoffs where it began play at home and as much as everyone has overlooked turning around the Lakers, especially after Lennox Wins Division VII against Fresno Central last night. The him, Steve Blake has come back and given the city could have had Phil Jackson back. The Lennox Academy High boys’ soccer Sentinels will not have to worry about the Lakers an extra shot of strength off the But considering the little amount of time with team won its first CIF-Southern Section premiere teams Mater Dei, Etiwanda and bench. “I feel really good out there,” Blake the club that he has had, zero preseason and Division VII championship by shutting Long Beach Poly since they are all playing said. “I think my teammates make me feel that a group of athletes who have never played out Nuview Bridge from Nuevo (Desert in the new Open Division. way and Coach does, so I’m excited with the together in their lives, D’Antoni is actually area) 1-0 last Saturday. The Panthers The Sentinels are seeded seventh and the way things are going right now.” Lakers’ fans doing a good job. All of the tumultuousness of scored their only goal in the 12th minute top seed is their Ocean League foe and are excited too. Blake is averaging a Lakers the Mike Brown regime, the drama between by Michael Adeniyi on a head in. It came champion Santa Monica, which captured career high 5.3 points and 3.4 assists this Kobe and Dwight and a failed offensive system after Aaron Avila had his attempt hit the the Southern Section Division IA title with year. Beyond that, he is shooting nearly 47 seems to be behind the club now. D’Antoni crossbar on a header. a 66-56 victory over El Toro last Saturday percent from the field and 45.5 percent from is now more familiar with his personnel, Despite winning by one goal, Lennox at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. three-point range while averaging almost six knows their strengths and weaknesses and is Academy, which improved to 19-6-1, Hawthorne Routs Stars, Falls to points in under 20 minutes per game in the using them effectively. Currently, the eight- dominated Nuview. The Panthers had Heritage: Hawthorne High’s baseball team month of February. man rotation that D’Antoni has settled on is outstanding defensive plays by Eduardo routed San Pedro Mary Star of the Sea While it may seem a bit silly to attribute paying dividends for the club. “It really helps Campos, Eric Robles, Oswaldo Robledo 10-1 on Friday before falling to Heritage the Lakers’ recent success to Steve Blake, out, especially on the bench, knowing when and Angel Orozcn. Christian 7-5 in the Southern California doing just that is not actually so much of an you’re coming in, knowing what your role In the semifinals on February 26, Lennox Invitational Saturday at home. Against the exaggeration. Blake, Jodie Meeks and Antawn is,” Jamison said. “You’re not worried about blanked California Academy of Math and Stars, winning pitcher Mark Lafoon limited shots or minutes or, ‘If I make a mistake, Science 2-0 at the Home Depot Center on them to just two hits and blasted a two- I’m coming out.’” That comfort within the the Cal State Dominguez Hills campus. run home run to lead the Cougars, who What is the key Lakers are now comfortable with each other Regional Championship Tournament, with a bases-clearing double in its losssystem is perhaps the entire reason why theare 2-2. Jose Sandoval sparked HawthorneLennox moved on to the Southern California to happy, honest and in turn succeeding. tournament. The Panthers will travel to two for three.to Heritage Christian. Chris Robles wentbut is the eighth seed in the eight-teamWhat lies in store for the Lakers, especially relationships? inconsistent this year, remains a mystery. Sun Valley. Behind top seed Inglewood through this week before hosting cross-townThe Cougars resume the tournamentChavez High to take on number two seedconsidering their tendency to be consistently Find out. year is slowly getting better for the purple at 24-0 and captured the CIF-Los Angeles Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. The Olympians are 1-3rival Leuzinger in non-league action nextAnimo Leadership, Sun Valley is undefeatedThe only thing that is known now is that the Dianetics least, with many tough teams remaining on Fast Start Villa went two for three for Leuzinger. •Brethren 13-1 Friday at Leuzinger. AngelPowerful Mater Dei Erases Inglewood’sthere is a lot of work to be done, to say theDand gold. Still without a playoff spot intact,after getting blasted by Simi Valley GraceCity Section Division III crown.eaD Ranbuy The Modern Science of Mental Health the schedule. But the Lakers themselves are Inglewood High’s boys’ basketball team, turning into a tough team to beat and should by L. Ron HubbaRD only continue to get better as they get more PRicE: $21.90 and more comfortable with each other. Kobe For in the true nature of things, Bryant predicted that these Lakers would if we rightly consider, every green tree is Hubbard Dianetics Foundation indeed make it into the playoffs. When they Inglewood get there, as Kobe said himself, they will far more glorious than if it were made of 315 S Market St. | (310) 419-8200 “have no fear of anyone--Oklahoma City, San gold and silver.Antonio, Denver ...whoever.” Maybe those•inglewood@scientology.net www.inglewood-scientology.org teams should start thinking about fearing ~Martin Luther the Lakers. •
Lawndale 03_07_13
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