T.G. SPORTS REFLECTIONS OF SPORTS IN 2011 Part 1





Story by L.T. Willis

Chris Paul is traded to The Los Angeles Clippers.

All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

T.G.Sports this year have been part of some of the greatest sporting events in 2011 and would like to share with you some of those events we reflected on the most. Our number one memory was Chris Paul coming to The Los Angeles Clippers instead of to The Los Angeles Lakers. By the time Chris Paul had gotten off the plane here in Los Angeles, Clippers' tickets orders went thru the roof. With this trade The Clippers  have done something no one would have dream off spending money to get superstar talent on their roster to go along with their superstar Blake Griffin.This move has sent a message to the Clippers' fans that there is a new foundation being built. Now second on our  list wasn't the NBA All Star Game Weekend but the 12TH Annual NBA Legends Of The Game Brunch.




Magic Johnson



Jerry West.



Bill Russell











This event if you were a NBA student of the game then this would have been your ultimate event to be at. Many players on the night were honorees Lisa Leslie, Jerry West, Bill Russell , James Worthy, Bill Walton, Bill Sherman, Sam Perkins and the one and only Ervin 'Magic' Johnson. NBA greats George Gervin, Lenny Wilkins, Dave Bing, Shaquille O'Neal and NFL legend Jim Brown were just a few who were in attendance. Bill Russell and Bill Walton stole the show sharing with us their great sense of humor when Bill Russell was ask to be a Laker and said" Are you paying Wilt Chamberlain a lot of money to be a backup center?" Bill Walton had everyone laughing after his career at UCLA and in the NBA his parents ask him, "Hey Billy did you ever get a job yet?"




Rollie Fingers



Former NFL player Jerry Rice & T.G. Sports'
Nick Hamilton.





 



T.G.Sports' L.T.Willis,Nick Hamilton and Sugar Ray Lenard
and his wife Bernadette.



Kenya Moore.













The 11th Annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala for cancer is in our number three spot held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles were a list of celebrities and sports figures came to support this great event to help raise money to fight cancer. Peter Rose, Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Anthony Munoz, Ralph Sampson, Michael Ervin, Julius Ervin, Mike Tyson, Tim Brown, Jerry West, Sugar Ray Lenard and his wife Bernadette, James Worthy, Magic Johnson, Trevor Ariza and actress Kenya Moore are just a few names on this list that came out to support this great events.

Actor Tiny Lester having fun with finalist from the 20th Annual Watkins
Awards  Savon Huggins, Wayne Lyons, Kendal Thompson, James
Vaughters and Remound Wright.

Now The 20th Annual Watkins Awards produce by The National Alliance Of African American Athletes honors the best African American Athletes/Scholars in the country was held at the Omni Hotel. The selections process is regaris with the major factures of selection being grade point average, how do you impact your community as well as being a role model as well. To see young African American Men and their parents and everyone in their beautiful dresses and black tuxedos this by far could have been our number one event of the year.



Kendal Thompson &
actress Claudia Jordan.



2011 Watkins Award winner Kendal Thompson and his
parents Mr. & Mrs. Thompson.











The 2011 Watkins Award was hosted by actress Claudia Jordan and comedian Lamont King and celebrities that came out to support this event were Tiny Lister, Nick Cannon, comedian Alphonso McAuley and Tampa Bay Bucs' Gerald McCoy.This Award started back in 1992 name after Franklin D. Watkins a coach  in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania . The NFL has several Watkins Award winners playing Atlanta Falcons Justin Baylock, Tampa Bay Bucs Gerald McCoy and Arrelious Benn, Houston Texans Ben Tate, San Francisco $9ers Ted Gin Jr., Washington Redskins Lorenzo Alexander, Arizona Cardinals Robert Tate, New Orleans saints Darnell Dinkins, New York Giants La Varr Arrington, Oakland Raiders Grants Irons and Ronald Curry, Jacksonville Jaguars Mercedes Lewis just to name a few.






Pau Gasol & Justin Friedlander.



Ray Allen & LeBron James.



 









Kobe Bryant.



Dwayne Wade.











Now the NBA All Star Weekend is part of our list and what many people and fans don't get to see is how fun the players have during practice. You get to see a side of players that you don't see during games. Even the coaches have fun to say they have coaches some of the greatest players in the NBA is a real honor for them.  NBA players are human just like everyone else in the world and what goes on in their personal life should be their own business. It's nice when the players can come together and forget about their ups or downs and just focus on the moment of just being a NBA All Star. Now on our list is  Joe " Jelly Bean" Bryant coming back to Los Angeles coaching again in the WNBA.

Joe Bryant sharing some laughs with fans at the Sparks' Draft Party.



Joe Bryant.



Joe Bryant was back with The Los Angeles Sparks for a second time and the buzz was that he was back with us coaching once again. Early in the season when things wasn't going right with the Sparks. Joe took over for coach Gillom and everyone was hoping he could work his magic one more time and get the Sparks into the playoffs and back to the WNBA Championship. That was his goal but no one never figure that Candace Parker would get injured again and that change the season. Hiring a new coach on the road with no time time to practice and you are just starting out on a tuff road schedule was asking a lot of any coach and with new members on your roster. Hopefully if Joe Bryant is  back the Sparks' front office with all their draft picks they have including the # 1 pick they will get the players to compete for a WNBA title.

Stanford Cardinals  @ USC Trojans



The USC Trojans lost to the Stanford Cardinals 56-48 in triple overtime.





 Now the USC Trojans and The Stanford Cardinals football game will probably go down as was on of the best game in Pac 12 history as being number # 1 until  this game can be match or outdone. The Stanford Cardinals defeated the USC Trojans 56-48 in tripple overtime.  With so much action and finally the buzz was back at the L.A. Coliseum  about USC football and what Matt Barkley has done for his school by coming back for hos senior year look out college football. He has already a talent pool of receivers on his team with George Farmer and Marquis Lee Carson's Darrues Rogers will be a Trojan and Max Tuerk from the Division I State Champion Santa Margarita will probably be his left tackle protecting his blind side. Part 2 of our Reflection in Sports in 2011 we be coming up so stay tune. All these great photos were by Eric Wade /T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.







Santa Margarita Wins The 2011 Division I State Championship Game.

Story by L.T. Willis



Coach Harry Welch led Santa Margarita to it's
first CIF State Division I Title. Photos by
Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.





Coach Harry Welch and his coaching staff came to Carson to do one thing and that's win the CIF Division I State Championship game against San Jose Bellarmine (12-1) at The Home Depot Center. In football i always said when it comes down to winning games you need talent. When it comes down to winning championships it takes great coaching. The game didn't start of well for Harry Welch and Santa Margarita (12-2) as on the their first series of plays the Eagles' Alex Suchesk fumble and Bellarmine recovered. Moments later Bellarmine's Conner Jauch scored on a 14 yard touchdown run to set the tone for the game.



The Bells'# 4 Conner Jauch
14 yard touchdown run gave
them the lead 7-0.



Santa Margarita's # 8 River Cracraft 31
yard touchdown catch ties the game 7-7.



Santa Margarita answer back when Johnny Stanton connected with River Cracraft on a 31 yard slant pass to tied the game 7-7 with 6:56 left in the first quarter. Bellarmine's defense was showing that they had great speed and was putting pressure on Johnny Stanton. With a few minutes left still in the first quarter Johnny Stanton found flanker Sean Modster open for a 27 yard touchdown pass to take the lead 14-7. The fans from Santa Margarita was going crazy cheering their team on.



The Eagles' Johnny Stanton  throws a 27 yard touch down pass to
Sean Modster to take a 14-7 lead.



Bellarmine's QB Travis McHugh breaks free for a 47 yard

touchdown run to tie the game 14-14.



Bellarmine was matching blow for blow with Santa Margarita and wasn't about to let up even though they were outsize, their team speed made up for it. Watching Johnny Stanton early in the game you would have to understand that he is only a junior  quarterback who has led his team to a Division I State Championship Game and all the marbles riding on him to deliver as he has all season. The Eagles offense capped of a drive with a 8 yard touchdown pass from Stanton to River Cracraft to regain the lead 21-14. Bellarmine offense responded with a drive of their  when quarterback Travis McHugh connected with Conner Jauch on a 40 yard touchdown pass and now the game was tied at halftime 21-21.

Santa Margarita's defense had their hand full with running back # 34
Justin Taliaferro from Bellarmine.



In the third quarter Bellarmine re took the lead when Travis McHugh kicked a 24 yard field goal to make the score 24-21 and at this point both defenses were trying their best to bend but don't break. Going into the fourth quarter still leading Bellarmine gave to ball to their prize runner Justin Taliaferro who was a beast to bring down with speed and power march down the field on a impressive drive to set up a first and goal inside of Santa Margarita's 10 yard line. Moments later from 4 yards out Bellarmine's Justin Taliaferro powered his way into the end zone and increase their lead to 30-21. The Eagles moments later answer the call when Johnny Stanton connected with Connor O'Brien on a 32 yard touchdown pass and now trail 30-28.

Santa Margarita defense was unable to keep Bellarmine's Justin Taliaferro
from scoring 4 yards out and now the Eagles trailed 30-21.



Santa Margarita offensive line gives Johnny Stanton time to throw a 32 yard
touchdown pass to Connor O'Brien to trail 30-28 in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles all year long found a way to get back into the games by believing in each other and a legendary coach Harry Welch trusting and  believing in his team as he has watch them grow together all season long and this game was no different. When Johnny was struggling early in the game senior left tackle Max Turek pull Johnny and other team mates to the side and told Johnny we work to hard and come to far for use to lose this game and we need you to keep your head in this game. The turning point in the game was when the Eagles put pressure on Bellarmine's quarterback Travis McHugh and was pick off by the Eagles Matt Andersen to set them in great field position with 6:55 left into the fourth quarter.

Bellarmine's# 34 Justin Taliaferro scores again
on a 1 yard touchdown run and now the
Eagles now trail 37-36.



Two Bellarmine defenders 
being drag by Eagles'
Johnny Stanton.





Once again the defense came thru for the Eagles and coach Welch turn the game over to his offensive line and Johnny and as always they deliver when Stanton scored on a 1 yard touchdown run and now Santa Margarita lead 36-30 with 6:52 left in the game after the two point conversion by Stanton. Well Bellarmine didn't make it to the State Division I Championship by luck they are a very well coach team by Mike Janda and it was no secret who was going to get the ball for Bellarmine. With 1:46 left in the game coach Welch decided to let them score so they would have time for one more last drive of their own . Justin Taliaferro scored from one yard out and now the Eagles trailed 37-36.

Santa Margarita's Harry Welch decides to put the game in Johnny Stanton's
hand facing a 4th and goal from the one yard line.



The Eagles' all season found a way to win games when it seem that their backs was against the wall. That wall became a reality when the Eagles drove down to Bellarmine's one yard line facing a fourth down and goal with 16 seconds left in the game  coach Welch called a time out. Everyone in the Stadium knew that they were going to kick a field goal to win the game including me when Johnny Stanton and the offense march back on the field. Not only was i watching history in the making, i  was a witness to the most gutsy call by a coach i have seen in twenty plus years being  in the media. Harry Welch was going for it all or nothing at all. With 16 seconds left in the game Johnny Stanton scored from one yard out and the Santa Margarita crowd went crazy as players and coaches were jumping for joy. The Eagles went for the two point conversion but Johnny's knee hit the ground before he cross the end zone.

Santa Margarita's Johnny Stanton scores the game winning touchdown
on a 4th and goal from one yard out with 16 seconds left in the game.

This Journey for Santa Margarita started months ago and they deserved to be in this game along with San Jose Bellarmine. Bellarmine defense kept Ryan Wolpin and the running game for the Eagles in check most of the night and coach Welch and his coaching staff watch their young football team became CIF Division I State Champions. Johnny Stanton gave all the credit to his offensive linemen Max Tuerk/LT, Cole Luther/LG, Dane Crane/C, Erik Bunte/RG and Riley Sorenson/RT for giving him time to make plays for the team to win it's first State title. Johnny Stanton finish the night 14 of 25 for 306 yards and two touchdowns on the night. All photos and video footage are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images. You can also check out the video on www.youtube.com/TGSportsTV also.





The 2011 Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul Press Conference

Story by L.T. Willis

Chris Paul will be wearing # 3 for The Los Angeles Clippers this season.
Photos by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.



The Los Angeles Clippers have shown with the right people in the front office that there is going to be a new foundation that Clippers' fans and players can be proud of by bringing Chris Paul to Los Angeles. When the word was out that Chris Paul was coming to L.A. there was a buzz in the city even before Chris Paul came to town. The Clippers' new GM Neil Olshey along with owner Donald Sterling have change the image of the Clippers by building a team the right way with quality players.

Clippers' GM Neil Olshey has the organization going in the right
direction bringing quality players to the team.



The Clippers are a team on the up swing with the moves this season signing all star guard Chauncey Billups and forward DeAndre Jordan playing along side other exciting players like Blake Griffin, Caron Butler and Mo Williams don't be surprise if  you come to the Staple Center for a Clippers home game and all the tickets are sold out.  Just like when the Lakers comes into town don't be surprise also if other NBA teams  in the league if their  attendance goes up because of Chris Paul and The Los Angeles Clippers are coming into town.

Clippers' coach Vinny Del Negro was all smiles
during the Chris Paul press conference.



I know the happiest coach in the NBA was Vinny Del Negro  during the press conference was smiling all the time and who could blame him now that he is been giving one of the best point guards in the NBA Chris Paul and has already  Blake Griffin and has a great veteran and a leader in point guard Chauncey Billups to help stabilize the team this is going to be a very interesting season for the Clippers. I had a chance to talk with Joseph V. Safety II Vice President of Communications for the Clippers  how excited he is that Clippers' fans are the most loyal fans in the world and that they deserve to have a championship caliber team right here in Los Angeles. These fans have stuck by us when things were bad now they are being rewarded for their great support. All photos and video footage are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images. For more Clippers coverage go to www.twitter.com/TGSportsEnt. Also you can go to our other youtube account at www.youtube.com/TGSportsTV also.





A Change of Attitude is What is Needed About Sports Officials Part 1

Story by L.T.Willis






All sports officials deserves respect during games.



Sports officials at all levels need to be respected during and after games.
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports



During sporting events parents and fans need to change their attitudes toward sports officials at all levels of sports. Football season is really about to heat up as teams are now trying to make it into the state playoffs at the end of the season and  basketball season is about to start up.You have no ideal what it is like to be a sports official trying to learn all the rules and your responsibilities.When you are at work would you let your boss scream at you all day? What if your kid heard you  scream at them all day during a game how do you think he/she would feel.You see folks it's like soldiers being pinned down in war where bullets and rockets are flying  all over  your head and you trying to focus on what you are doing so you want lose focus on what is going on. You see it is no different than being a new person working on a job and everyone is screaming at you while training on a new job. Even in high school, college and pro sports during playoffs some officials are going thru training to help them develop. Where else are they going to learn except in the heat of the battle to find out what they need to improve on so they can do championship games and go to the next level in their sports.

Photo by Robert Helfman



 If you have any kids that are playing sports they are learning the game just like officials going to camps working on improving by going to summer leagues, fall and spring leagues also. Every practice players have to put in the work so they can get better and officials also. So imagine what a new basketball official have to deal with . People ask me all the time "  how do you put up with all the crap you get from players, coaches and fans screaming at you all the time?" So now imagine how a player feels when a coach is screaming all day at them and they are learning how to play a sport for the first time. It is not a good feeling. When your kid has a bad game you try to encourage them. A team can be up by ten points in the last two minutes but the officials gets blame because they lost the game because they blew or didn't blow their whistle. Don't blame sports officials for mistakes that coaches and players make because they are human and so are officials. Don't tell a official you suck because how would like if someone told your kid you suck. I hope after reading this you change your attitude about officials. Part 2 and 3 of this article we will cover when basketball season is about to really  kick off court coverage for two person crews, no calls and charge or block so stay tune.

Change of Attitudes is What is Needed Part 2

  Story by L.T.Willis Is this a offensive foul or not ? Now part 2 of this story i will cover what people say is the hardest call in high school basketball and that is a blocking or charge foul. The key to these calls comes down to the defensive position of the defender feet and body before the offensive players has left his/her feet to become airborne. I have 4 photos that i hope will illustrated and hope this will help fans understand these calls. Keep in mind that all these calls are judgement calls.  Below in photo #1 the defender's feet and body were not set before the offensive player left the floor  and this is call a blocking foul. Now in photo #2 the defender's feet and body was in front of the offensive player and  this would be a offensive foul or a player control foul. You hear all the time" hey ref the defender was moving". Also keep in mind it doesn't matter if the defensive player is moving if his/her feet and body are in front of the offensive player, the offensive player can't run over a defender.   Photo 1  Photo 2       Sometimes the play happens so quick that there will be always questionable calls in the game because the calls are all judgement calls for officials doing a game. Now in photo #3 the defender in white feet and body are not in front of the offensive player in blue and this will be a blocking foul on the defender. In photo #4 the defender feet and body is in front of the offensive player in blue and this will be a offensive foul. In high school basketball it doesn't matter if a player is standing under the rim or not if the defensive player feet and body are set before the offensive player is airborne this is a offensive foul. Now the photo at the beginning of my story you see a offensive player in white with his arm out in front of him to protect himself from the contact. This is legal as long as he/she doesn't fully exstend their forearm to push off or keep the defender away from their body. If a defender has his/her body in front of offensive player and starts to fall back before the contact this what is call flopping this will be a blocking call. If a defensive player turns away from the contact or move his/feet from a set position this is also a blocking foul. I hope this helps fans as part three of my story we will cover no calls and court coverage for officials.   Photo 4   Photo 3        





Change of Attitudes is What is Needed Part 3

Story by L.T.Willis Photo 1 Photo 2          Now part three of my story we will cover what is call no calls during a basketball game. Here are three photos that will help fans understand what is a no call on a shooting foul or what is a foul on a shooting foul. In photo #1 the defender in white has both of his feet set on the floor and his body and arm is straight up. In this photo this will be a no call because the contact would be by the offensive player. Now in photo #2 the defender  has the right to jump straight up to contest a shot this is legal. If any contact is made as long as the defender doesn't bring his/her arm down this will be a no call also. Now in photo #3 two defenders in blue are jumping out at the offensive player in white and if there is any contact it will be on one of the defenders in blue. Now let talk about court coverage with two officials working a game.    Photo 3   Now with two officials working a game they are are call a lead official and a trail official were both officials have primary court coverage during a game. In lead official photo #1 the lead primary is below the free throw line in the painted area during the game. He is looking for contact below the waist, pushing and shoving in the paint, illegal screens, over the back during rebounding and fouls. In the trail official photo #1 he has two primary responsibilities during a game. His first primary area are fouls above the free throw lane and and the three point line. He is looking for contact on shooting fouls, fouls above the rim during dunks, goal tending where a defensive players blocks a shot during a downward flight of the ball, basket interference is when a offensive player or a defensive player touches the net, the rim or the ball while the ball is directly above the rim or on the rim.   Trail Official Photo 1  Lead Official Photo 1        



The second primary of the trail is to help the lead in the paint on the backside of the court. Because the lead is on the baseline opposite the trail official and sometimes because of the size of the players he can be block out from seeing a play in his area. This is were the trail is helping on drives to the basket on the back side, backside screens and backside rebounding. If there is a double whistle and it's in the lead primary area the trail officials will ask the lead official what do you have first. When the ball is in one of the official area the other official should be looking off ball is where players are without the ball in their area. This is where you her coaches or fans ask" isn't that his call? Remember players all the time make mistakes on the court during the game because they are human and so are officials. After the game let's show respect for what they do.

2011 LAKERS' MEDIA DAY

Story by L.T.Willis

Lakers' Coach Mike Brown at the 2011 Lakers' Media Day. All photos are

by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.



This year Lakers' Media Day had a  strange feeling to it than last year as Mike Brown was introduce as the Lakers' new head coach . Now that the lock out is over who would had thought that the Lakers were working out deals to upgrade their roster by trying to trade for Chris Paul for Lamar Odom and Paul Gasol. I know sometimes people forget that this is buisness, but players are human too and when you have been part of a family departures can be painful. Chris Paul is a great players and would be a great asset to the Lakers, but willing to give two of your best players does leave questions.

Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol having fun at media day.

This year media day had tension in the air as players did their best not to let all the trade rumors bother them but that was kind of hard to do when you could see it on their faces. The Lakers did address some of their weakness from last year by signing Jason Kapono who is deadly outside shooter and if he can hit shots as he did before that will make things a lot easier for Kobe Bryant and the other Lakers. Will this be the last time we see Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol playing together and will Dwight Howard be coming to Laker town?





Kobe Bryant.







The biggest question that was being ask if the trade for one player worth the value of two players. Of course fans look at it from a fans point of view because they become attach to players especially if they help contribute to winning championships. What fans may not know especially with all the new bargaining agreements that are current, The Lakers are trying to position themselves for a bigger move by trying to free up capital to get a premiere player or two to give them more depth for another title run. Yes even Kobe Bryant was shock about the trade rumors, but he understands that is the the nature of the NBA teams are always trying to find ways to improve their teams.

Andrew Goudelock.





Last year the Lakers had problems matching up with quicker guards in the league have address this concern by signing rookie guard Andrew Goudelock from Charleston who has great speed and quickness and plays solid defense and can score also. At the College of Charleston he average 23.7 points and 4.2 assist per game. The Lakers still have one of the best front courts in basketball with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Metta World Peace. The biggest question on everyone ones mind is who is staying and who is leaving. We will have to just wait and see. All photos and video footage are by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports and EW Gems Images. You can also check out the video on our other youtube account at www.youtube.com/TGSportsTV also.