Latest news with #Etiwanda
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Prep talk: Local players get to play in Tuesday's McDonald's All-American Games
Prep talk: Local players get to play in Tuesday's McDonald's All-American Games It's the all-star basketball game every high school player aspires to play in. The McDonald's All-American Games will take place Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Southern California will be well represented in the boys' and girls' games. Advertisement The boys' game, set for 6 p.m. PT on ESPN, includes Brayden Burries from Eastvale Roosevelt, USC-bound Alijah Arenas from Chatsworth and Duke-bound Nikolas Khamenia from Harvard-Westlake. The girls game, set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2, includes LSU-bound Grace Knox from Etiwanda, Cal-bound Aliyahna Morris from Etiwanda and Iowa-bound Addie Deal from Mater Dei. Also in the game is Baylor-bound Tounde Yessoufou from Santa Maria St. Joseph. Burries is uncommitted and being recruited by USC and Arizona, among others.... There are four starting pitchers beginning the week with 0.00 ERAs: Otto Graham of JSerra, Jackson Eisenhauer of Crespi, Seth Hernandez of Corona and Brandon Thomas of Mater Dei. Advertisement This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Prep talk: Local players get to play in Tuesday's McDonald's All-American Games
It's the all-star basketball game every high school player aspires to play in. The McDonald's All-American Games will take place Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Southern California will be well represented in the boys' and girls' games. The boys' game, set for 6 p.m. PT on ESPN, includes Brayden Burries from Eastvale Roosevelt, USC-bound Alijah Arenas from Chatsworth and Duke-bound Nikolas Khamenia from Harvard-Westlake. The girls game, set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2, includes LSU-bound Grace Knox from Etiwanda, Cal-bound Aliyahna Morris from Etiwanda and Iowa-bound Addie Deal from Mater Dei. Also in the game is Baylor-bound Tounde Yessoufou from Santa Maria St. Joseph. Burries is uncommitted and being recruited by USC and Arizona, among others.... There are four starting pitchers beginning the week with 0.00 ERAs: Otto Graham of JSerra, Jackson Eisenhauer of Crespi, Seth Hernandez of Corona and Brandon Thomas of Mater Dei. This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Girls' basketball player of the year: Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian
As the smallest player on the court, 5-foot-6 sophomore guard Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian High still makes the greatest impact with her skills, intellect and instincts. It's a sight to behold as she dribbles around opponents, makes an assist or pulls up for a three. Fans know they are watching a trendsetter, because after games they surround her seeking a photo or an autograph. After averaging 23.2 points and 8.1 assists while leading her team to its first Southern Section Open Division girls' basketball championship, Smith has been selected The Times' player of the year in high school girls basketball. 'She's a culture changer,' coach Aundre Cummings said. Ontario Christian rose up to go 30-2 and pick up wins over powers Sierra Canyon and Etiwanda twice. Smith showed unselfishness and real improvement even though her scoring total dropped from averaging 34.9 points as a freshman. She helped others achieve individual success by being a facilitator, which led to team success. In the 65-63 victory over Etiwanda in the Open Division final, Smith made three clutch free throws in the final seconds to clinch the win. "It's second nature and God was with me," she said. Smith finished with eight assists and 13 points. Smith's work ethic spread to teammates, as she worked out after practices and before school to improve her shot. As women's basketball continues to rise, young players like Smith prepare to add their talent and determination to the cast. With two years left in high school, Smith is already becoming a national player. Adidas signed her to an NIL deal. College coaches can't wait to begin the recruiting process with official visits. She continues to work on getting stronger so she can score through contact. "She impacts the game," Cummings said. "Her humility is contagious. It's a blessing to see." Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Girls' basketball player of the year: Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian
As the smallest player on the court, 5-foot-6 sophomore guard Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian High still makes the greatest impact with her skills, intellect and instincts. It's a sight to behold as she dribbles around opponents, makes an assist or pulls up for a three. Fans know they are watching a trendsetter, because after games they surround her seeking a photo or an autograph. After averaging 23.2 points and 8.1 assists while leading her team to its first Southern Section Open Division girls' basketball championship, Smith has been selected The Times' player of the year in high school girls basketball. 'She's a culture changer,' coach Aundre Cummings said. Ontario Christian rose up to go 30-2 and pick up wins over powers Sierra Canyon and Etiwanda twice. Smith showed unselfishness and real improvement even though her scoring total dropped from averaging 34.9 points as a freshman. She helped others achieve individual success by being a facilitator, which led to team success. In the 65-63 victory over Etiwanda in the Open Division final, Smith made three clutch free throws in the final seconds to clinch the win. 'It's second nature and God was with me,' she said. Smith finished with eight assists and 13 points. Smith's work ethic spread to teammates, as she worked out after practices and before school to improve her shot. As women's basketball continues to rise, young players like Smith prepare to add their talent and determination to the cast. With two years left in high school, Smith is already becoming a national player. Adidas signed her to an NIL deal. College coaches can't wait to begin the recruiting process with official visits. She continues to work on getting stronger so she can score through contact. 'She impacts the game,' Cummings said. 'Her humility is contagious. It's a blessing to see.'
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Girls' basketball coach of the year: Aundre Cummings of Ontario Christian
After 12 years coaching boys' basketball and one season as an assistant girls' coach, Aundre Cummings took on the challenge as the head coach of a talented but young Ontario Christian girls' basketball team this season. Taking on top opponents around the country, there was little time for the Knights to question his decisions. It was either embrace his ways or be unprepared for what was about to hit them. Players bought in and the rest is history. Ontario Christian went 30-2, defeated Etiwanda twice, defeated Sierra Canyon twice and handed the first defeat of the season to San Jose Archbishop Mitty en route to winning the Southern Section Open Division championship. For being able to convince his talented group to play together and handle expectations and pressure, Cummings has been selected The Times' coach of the year in girls 'basketball. "I couldn't be more proud of my team," he said. "It's scary when you get a position like this. Is the team going to buy into my style of coaching and how I hold players accountable? It's the biggest shock and reward that I can do it my way and it would work." Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
