Page 6 November 1 , 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE A Stern Ending Up and Adam By Adam Serrao a lawyer before he got involved with the South Fights, But Falls to NorthNBA. Though he will be gone, however,In an announcement that came last Thursday, the Commissioner of the National Basketball Stern plans to still make himself available to By Adam Serrao the schedule. That one game is a huge one, Association went public with the fact that he Silver and the NBA as a “partner” in efforts It was a story of two teams going in different as it is against the second place Torrance will at last be stepping down from his position such as expanding the league internationally- directions. North High was in first place coming Tartars. “We don’t like sharing, so we’re going atop the league. At the age of 70, David Stern -something that Stern has been excellent at into the matchup, winners of six of their last to go out next week and try to get that win,” has certainly put in his time and may be seen doing in his term as Commissioner. That seven games. The Spartans, on the other explained Hernandez. The win wouldn’t only as one of the greatest commissioners of any being said, supporters of Stern can rest easily hand, had lost four of their last six and have be sweet because it would give the Saxons sport ever. Only time will tell, however, as knowing that the apple won’t fall far from been struggling to make a last-ditch push into top seeding come playoff time, but it would one’s legacy often isn’t cemented until that the tree with Silver at the helm. playoff positioning. The story, unfortunately also give them a win over their much-hated person is officially gone. Perhaps traveling in The only way that the NBA will possibly for the Spartans, turned out to be one of the cross-town rival Tartars. Catch the game this the footsteps of Kobe Bryant by announcing change in Stern’s absence will be when the non-fiction sort once all was played out on Friday at Zamperini Stadium. his intent to retire before the occasion actually opt-out option in the collective bargaining the field last Friday night at North High. With tOrrance HigH takes place, Stern’s departure won’t actually agreement (CBA) presents itself in 2017. its 36-28 loss, South all but dropped out of Oftentimes the easiest games on the schedule take effect until February 1, 2014, marking The good thing is that 2017 isn’t until five playoff contention while the Saxons clinched are the hardest games for teams to stay focused. exactly 30 years since the day he took over years from now and will be three years into at least a share of the Pioneer League crown. That’s why when the Torrance Tartars saw the as NBA Commissioner. Announcing it now, the command of Silver. The bad news is that The South High Spartans knew that they last place Lawndale Cardinals on the schedule, however, will give the Commissioner one at that time, either the owners or the players were going up against an offensive juggernaut they had to be careful not to have a letdown. last swan song around the various different will most likely opt out of the current CBA, in North High. Quarterback Jorge Jernandez As soon as the game started, thoughts of a cities in the league. Now that his intent to thus presenting all NBA fans with another combined with his two-headed receiving core possible letdown were all put to rest as the game step down has been made public, it is the lockout. It won’t be until then that Silver can perfect time to reflect back on the legacy of show everyone what he’s all about. It certainly Oftentimes the easiest games on the schedule are David Stern in order to see just how good of a commissioner he actually was. seeing how Silver will handle a crisis such the hardest games for teams to stay focused..wasn’t easy for Stern this last go-around, so David Stern has been such an enigmatic as the one that could possibly be presented figure around the NBA--especially in the last in ‘17 will show much about his character. of Mike Jurado and Devante Jenkins provide was completely dominated by the Tartars from few years of his reign as Commissioner of In the meantime, we will all be left to an offensive spark for the Saxons that is start to finish. It was 25-0 at halftime before the league--that even after he retires, there reflect on the legacy that Stern has left unparalleled in the Pioneer League. “They’ve the mercy rule was enacted in the second half will surely continue to be speculation that behind and either appreciate it or be thankful got a bunch of great players, but Jurado and and the game finally ended at 41-6. Torrance he is still pulling strings from behind the for the fact that it is shortly coming to an Jenkins are just absolute studs,” opposing coach ran for 310 yards on the night while Lawndale scenes. Nowhere else will that speculation end. His resume is definitely filled with Josh Waybright said of North High’s standouts tallied -17 rushing yards in the loss. be as strong as in Los Angeles. Just a year some mistakes that could tarnish his legacy on offense. It was because of those studs that The win, combined with a loss of El Segundo ago, it was David Stern who etched his name forever, but in Stern’s defense, he has done the Spartans’ game plan was to limit North to Centennial, not only put the Tartars in the into the minds of Laker fans everywhere by an excellent job at bouncing back from his High’s time of possession on the night. To playoffs for good, but also gives them a shot denying a trade that would have sent All- inconsistencies, having the knack to always an extent, it worked. The North High offense at the first place North High Saxons this week Star point guard Chris Paul to the Lakers make himself look better than he did in the didn’t even take the field in the third quarter for the Pioneer League crown. Whoever wins for Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. That move first place when all is said and done. In the and in all, the Spartans were able to run 42 this week will take the division outright and alone will go down in history as a dent in time that Stern has been in charge, the NBA more offensive plays than the Saxons ran. Even receive top seeding come playoff time. While the legacy of Stern even though Lakers’ has witnessed the change from being aired on with the domination of time of possession, the the Saxons have been dominant pretty much all fans should be grateful that Stern threw his tape delay to prime time. He cleaned up the explosive North High offense was still able to year, the Tartars have turned it on as of late and power around. Nixing that trade landed the league and its drug problem, heading one of get itself going. have found themselves steadily improving week Lakers Steve Nash and Dwight Howard while the only sports in the world where athletes Though the offense was held off the field by week. The matchup should be a clash of two enabling them to hold on to the services of aren’t under scrutiny for abusing steroids or in third quarter, it was what happened before titans, with only one able to come out on top. Gasol. Either way, Stern will retain control performance-enhancing drugs of any kind. halftime that really spelled the story. Jumping Needless to say, the energy around Zamperini of the league for the next 18 months before Then there was the draft lottery of 1985 that out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, it field on Friday night should be electric. It is a his retirement becomes official. So for the looked as if it was almost certainly fixed and wasn’t until halfway through the second that game that none of us should miss. immediate future, nothing about the league the lockouts of both 1998 and 2011. The Tim the Spartans were able to get on the board. West HigH will change. Donaghy referee scandal and the departure Once South scored, however, North answered League play didn’t start out so well for Once Stern does step down, Adam Silver of the Seattle Supersonics in addition to right back. It was Hernandez and Jurado who the West High Warriors, but with a 56-6 win will officially take control of the league. Silver the vetoed Chris Paul trade were all almost both hooked up on a 90-yard touchdown play over Palos Verdes Peninsula last Friday night has been the NBA’s Chief Operating Officer certainly scarlet letters for Stern also. But that ultimately served to give North a 22-7 lead at West High, they tried to forget about all since 2006 and the right-hand man for Stern installing a dress code for the athletes and going into the half. South came out strong in of their previous struggles. Barry Thomas over that same period of time. Stern has all making the NBA one of the most popular the second half, scoring on its first drive of the carried the ball 26 times for 307 yards and of the confidence in the world in Silver, sports in the world has certainly done much third quarter, but Jurado again answered back four touchdowns as the clear standout star of which makes his decision to retire a much to bring Stern’s good name back to light. by taking the kickoff 98 yards to the end zone the night. The Warriors ran for a total of 457 easier one. “I told the owners that it’s been Stern will depart from his position as the to make the score 28-13. There was no quit yards on the night. Starting quarterback Joey a great run,” Stern said. “The league is in, longest-tenured commissioner in professional in the Spartans as they put together another Notch didn’t get in much work on the night I think, terrific condition.” Silver has been sports history and it’s definitely never been 17-play drive to dominate the third quarter because of the successful ground game, but he involved with the NBA for over 14 years now boring. In the words of successor Adam and pull within eight at 28-20. Early on in did complete nine of 12 passes for 132 yards, in one way or the other, kicking his career Silver, “I don’t think there’s a doubt that the fourth, though, Hernandez capped off a two touchdowns and one interception. off as Vice President and later President of Stern will be remembered as the best of 66-yard drive with another touchdown pass to The Warriors needed a victory last Friday NBA Entertainment. Like Stern, Silver was all time.” • Jurado. The Spartans were able to get on the night to keep their playoff hopes alive with an board again when starting quarterback Kyle at-large bid. West’s final game of the season Nesbit threw a 24-yard scoring pass to Jordan will come this Friday night when it takes on the Korth, but by that time the game was all but last place Leuzinger Olympians. The Olympians done and ended with the final score of 36-28. have won one game all season long. Second South’s effort was led on the ground by Ryan place Mira Costa faces off against third place Bowman, who gained 134 of the Spartans’ Redondo Union this week, so one of those 321 rushing yards on 18 carries. Jurado came teams has to lose. With that loss and a West away with 258 yards and four touchdowns on High win, the chances to be recognized for MAKE A for 216 yards and four touchdowns. The tell, but first thing is first--the Warriors mustthe night for North while Hernandez passedan at-large bid become a lot higher. Time will DIFFERENCE Pioneer league with one game remaining on Leuzinger High. •win. See them in action this Friday night atvictory keeps the Saxons in first place in the Earn extra money caring HARRY’S & MCCOY’S MOVING for an adult with a developmental disability Family Owned & Operated for 65 Years in your home. Discount to All Torrance Residents • Time Starts At Your Door • Guaranteed Price/Single Item Moves Refer a Friend / Earn $250 • FREE Use of Boxes & Wardrobes 562.424.0066 (310) 329-3493 – Free Estimates WWW.MENTORSWANTED.COM Licensed & Insured – CAL-T-160-989
Torrance 11.01.12
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