The Los Angeles Sparks Sponsors Community Outreach To Raise Clothes For The Homeless

Story By L.T.Willis

Panorama High School was one of the three sites for the 4th Annual Community
Outreach Basketball Tournament for high school girls to raise clothes for the
homeless, community outreach programs and the Los Angeles Mission.
Photos by L.T.Willis/T.G.Sports.

The 4th Annual Community Outreach Basketball Tournament  presented by ThruGod Entertainment and T.G.Sports, for high schools girls, high school girls travel ball teams and the support of The Los Angeles Sparks raised 121 bags of clothes and several boxes of book and toys for the homeless.The other sites were Gardena Serra and Compton Centennial were fans came out to support this great event.This year event was special because the team that raised the most clothes for the tournament would receive new practice gear for their team, and once that was announce let the games begin.

Photo by L.T.Willis/T.G.Sports

The other great part of the tournament was if you could have seen the smiles on the players faces when they were told that the Los Angeles Sparks sponsor tickets for the teams to come to the Staple Center to one of any of the remaining home games, you could hear players saying" i have never been to the Staple Center or went too a Sparks' game." Those sounds were priceless as their parents where smiling also. The 4th Annual Community Outreach Tournament was created 4 years ago to teach our youth on giving back to the community i hopes of planting a seed into these young ladies lives,so when they go to college, in the work force or make it to the WNBA, they will always remember to give back.

Photo by L.T.Willis/T.G.Sports.

Photo by L.T.Willis/T.G.Sports.

Photo by L.T.Willis/T.G.Sports.

This year tournament had three division Gold, Silver and Bronze to allow teams too have a fare chance to compete and advance in the tournament.This year teams were Compton Centennial, Gardena Serra, Crenshaw, L.A. Poly, Grant, Lynwood, Palisades, Hawthorne, California Elite, Sylmar, Cleveland, Monroe, Vaughn, Fast Lady Cats, Panorama and Lynwood 2 all combine their efforts to raise a whopping 121 bags of clothes for a great cause.This years 4th Annual Community Outreach Basketball Tournament division Champions are Gold Division Champions Gardena Serra, Silver Division Champions Sylmar and the Bronze Champions Hawthorne.

Gold Division Champs Gardena Serra.

Silver Division Champs Sylmar.

ThruGod Entertainment/T.G.Sports and all the teams and their parents would like too thank Sparks' President Mike Levy, Paula Williams Madison CEO and The Los Angeles Sparks for making this year 4th Annual Community Outreach High School Girls Basketball Tournament the best tournament in the summer and your continue support on teaching our youth on giving back to the community,with your support you give each player a chance to make a difference, and for those players who never been to The Staple Center to see the Sparks play, now have a opportunity. The winner of new practice gear for raising the most clothes goes to L.A. Poly.

Bronze Division Champs Hawthorne.

From left to right: Eugene from the Los Angeles Mission and
L.T.Willis from T.G.Sports.

Over the years schools that have made this tournament really grow Santa Monica, Inglewood, Gardena, Carson, Huntington Park, South East, Lincoln, North Hollywood, Narbonne, Westchester, Washington, Locke, Palisades, Grant, L.A.Poly , Lynwood, Locke, Serra, Birmingham, Sylmar, Monroe, Westchester, Crenshaw, Fairfax, Centennial, Panorama, California Elite, Fast Lady Cats, Dorsey, Vaughn, Cleveland and Los Angeles Adventist, The Los Angeles Mission would like to thank you all for your support and help raise clothes for those in need over the past four years.

2012 NFL ALL ACCESS

Story by L.T.Willis

NFL All- Access was held at The Rose Bowl. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

In the beautiful city of Pasadena California the NFL All-Access was being held as fans from all over came out to be part of something special. This event coordinated by Kathryn Schloessman from the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission also presented by Wolfgang Puck Catering allow fans to be part of the NFL experience, participating in passing drills, running routes, and kicking field goals are just some of the fun things to do at the NFL All-Access. The biggest joy was watching the fans having a great time meeting former and present NFL players and guest.

LA Sports & Entertainment Commission President
Kathryn S. Schloessman. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Some of the All Access guest players were Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman who is becoming a very good quarterback in the NFL, Matt Hasselbeck from the Tennessee Titans who is looking to having a great season with his new team, and NFL Analyst Marshall Faulk. Other NFL players who attended the event was Terrell Suggs linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos' Ryan Clady are just a few players that had a great time with the fans.

Matt Hasselbeck from the Tennessee Titans. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Former strong safety John Lynch who was one of the hardest hitting players in the league was all smiles as he took time out to take a few photos for the fans, while Denver Broncos lineman Ryan Clady was showing off his quarterback skills throwing tight spirals. There was a very wonderful energy in the air with the way everything was set up in the Rose Bowl, the only thing that people was hoping that it would not rain. Even though it was a little humid, still great weather for this event to be at the Rose Bowl.

Ryan Clady from the Denver Broncos
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Josh Freeman from the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

The kids had a real treat as they could go into the locker room and see the different helmets from the teams in the NFL and had a chance to see how they would look playing for a team, and believe me none of the kids were camera shy as they begin to put on the shoulder pads and helmets and hamming up it for the media. Young or old everyone who was in attendance was having a great time being part of the NFL All Access.

Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

                           

If i didn't know better i think the adults were having more fun than the kids at the pass and field goal drills showing off and having  a few laughs at the same time.The goal of the LASEC is to give fans a feel of what football will be like, since Los Angeles is the only major city without a team. LASEC is one of the main supporting groups also pushing to get a NFL team here so that the fans can show their support of having a franchise in Los Angeles like all of the other major cities.

Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

Photo by Eric Wade/T/G.Sports.

The moment that everyone was waiting for was to near as NBC Sports announcer Al Michaels who is consider the best sportscaster in sports. He spent 19 years as play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football, and is the only sportscaster who has cover a NBA Finals, A Super Bowl, World Series and the Stanley Cup for network television, and now works for NBC Sports for Sunday Night Football. Al Michaels is as humble as any person you could ever have meet being a  sportscaster in professional sports.

NBC Sports' Al Michaels. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The timing was perfect as the rain held back till after Al Michaels spoke to everyone, and then came the rain as people rush to get inside where one of the Rose Bowl locker room was set up just in case it rain. Now the  panel of special guest coordinated by emcee Andrea Kremer  reporter for NBC Sports and correspondent for HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel featured, Matt Hasselbeck from the Tennessee Titans, Terrell Suggs from the Baltimore Ravens, former NFL player John Lynch, Josh Freeman from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ,NFL reporter Jay Glazer and Amy Trask Chief Executive for the Oakland Raiders.

From left to right: Terrell Suggs, John Lynch and Jay Glazer. Photo by
Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports.

From left to right: Andrea Kremer and Amy Trask. Photo by
Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports.

Some of the topics that was discuss was bounty on players in the NFL is it a serious matter for players to be concern about and the fines that was giving out by the NFL, Payton Manning going to the Denver Broncos was that a good move for him and Tim Tebow going to the New York Jets. The night ended with the guest taking photos and sharing some laughs among themselves. This is one of the greatest events to be held in Los Angeles every year that will continue to grow with popularity in Los Angeles, even if we do not get a football team here in Los Angeles soon. You can check out more photos from this event by going to our website at www.tgsportstv.com  click on photo gallery, and click on 2012  NFL All Access. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and E.W.Gems Images.

Sparks' Rebounding Is Key in Victory Over Phoenix 90-71

Story by L.T.Willis

The Phoenix Mercury's #24 DeWanna Bonner and
The Los Angeles Sparks' #3 Candace Parker.
Photo by Barry Gossage NBAE/Getty Images.

The Los Angeles Sparks went on the road and improved their record to (14-6) with a victory over the Phoenix Mercury (4-14) 90-71. One of the things the Sparks needed to work on was turnovers and rebounding against teams. I guess Phoenix decided to work on rebounding as some of the starters had a big night in that department. With their 14 victories they are tied with The Minnesota Lynx who also has 14 victories also this season. The Sparks' Candace Parker was at it again with another double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. The Sparks also had two other starters with double- doubles DeLisha Milton Jones had 13 points 11 rebounds and rookie sensation Nneka Ogwumike had 11 points and 14 rebounds. The Sparks' defense continues to improves as their team defense has gotten better since coach Carol Ross has become the head coach for the Sparks. The Sparks' turnovers have been a thorn in their side, and not for the outstanding  play of Kristi Toliver, Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike and their team defense this season, the Sparks record could have been totally different right now. Phoenix force the Sparks into 18 turnover, but didn't have enough fire power on offense too match the Sparks offense.

The Phoenix Mercury's #22 Charde Houston and
The Los Angeles Sparks' #0 Alana Beard. Photo
by Barry Gossage NBAE/Getty Images.

The Phoenix Mercury's DeWanna Bonner and Samantha Prahalis both had 14 points, Alexis Gray-Lawson had 13 points and Krystal Thomas 11 points did all they could for Phoenix , but could never get their offensive sets on the floor going, and their defense just couldn't make stops for them to get back in the game. In the WNBA certain teams have other teams numbers in the league and just like the Sparks they will have to figure out how to beat The San Antonio Silver Stars if they are going too compete for the Western Conference Title and The WNBA Championship. The Sparks' bench players Jantel Lavender had 6 points and Marissa Coleman had 5 points. The Sparks next road game will be in Indiana against the Indiana Fever on Thursday July 12, 2012. With a victory over the Fever the Sparks could have the best record in the Western Conference  during the Olympics break pending on if Minnesota wins their next  game against Tulsa on the same day.

The Sparks Are A Nightmare For The Dream With A 79-63 Victory

Story by L.T.Willis

The Los Angeles Sparks' #3 Candace Parker and The Atlanta Dream's
#11 Yelena Leuchanka. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Atlanta Dream (8-8) came into town to do battle with The Los Angeles Sparks (12-6) with their best player Angel McCoughtry out with a sprained left ACL. The last time these two teams met Atlanta beat the Sparks 92-59 in Atlanta. The Sparks have had problems with this team for the last three seasons since McCoughtry was pick up by Atlanta, but tonight the Sparks were just too much for the Dream to handle without McCoughtry. The Sparks defeated the Dream with strong play from the bench and their starters 79-63.

The Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike continues to amaze everyone how she has impacted the WNBA and her team came out in the first quarter blazing shooting 4 for5 from the field and finish the the quarter with 8 points and Candace Parker on her way for another double-double had 8 points and 5 rebounds. The Dream's Sancho Lyttle scored 7 points, Tiffany Hayes, Aneika Henry and Lindsey Harding all had 4 points and played the whole first quarter. The Sparks defense was very impressive as players were rotating and helping each other had built a 14 point lead with the Sparks' Kristi Toliver who was struggling from the field 4for12 still had 12 points as the Sparks lead Atlanta 44-36 at the half.

The Sparks' #25 Marissa Coleman and the
Dream's # 33 Catherine Kraayeveld. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The first half the Sparks went to work in the paint scored 28 points on 14 for21 shooting and second chance points was huge with 11 points, but careless turnovers continues to hunt this team other wise the score could have been a lot worst for the Atlanta Dream. The third quarter was no better for the Dream as the Sparks kept them at a fifteen point difference for most of the third quarter, had cut the Sparks lead to 7 points with a Sancho Lyttle layup with 2:46 left in the third. The Sparks answered back after Kristi Toliver hit a 3 pointer and Marissa Coleman's 2 points and 3 point shot push the Sparks to a 65-50 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Candace Parker #3 scored 14 points and
had 12 rebounds for the night. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Kristi Toliver #20 scored 19 points
and had 6 assist. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The Los Angeles Sparks improved their record to (13-6) with a victory over the Atlanta Dream (8-9) by the score of 79-63 with another night of balance scoring from the Sparks starters Kristi Toliver 19 points 6 assist, Candace Parker 14 points and 12 rebounds, Nneka Ogwumike 12 points, DeLisha Milton-Jones 11 points and Alana Beard 7 points and 7 assist. The Sparks bench step up big with Marissa Coleman and Jantel Lavender both finish with 8 points. The Atlanta Dream's Sancho Lyttle had 17 points, Aneika Henry 13 points 8 rebounds and Tiffany Hayes had 12 points. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.

Sparks Defeats Seattle 83-59 Game Preview

Story by L.T.Willis

Los Angeles Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver scored 23 points  in the
victory over the Seattle Storm 83-59. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The Los Angeles Sparks now (12-6) with a blowout victory over the Seattle Storm (7-9) 83-59 now must get ready for a team that seems to have their number the Atlanta Dream. Seattle was over come by a balance attack of scoring from the Sparks' staring five. Candace Parker continues her rampage on teams in the WNBA with another impressive double-double performance with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assist against Seattle. There is a fire in her eyes and you can see it in the way she is playing and leading her team on a championship title run.

Lisa Leslie and her husband celebrating her 40th birthday
as the Sparks gave a great present with a victory over
the Seattle Storm. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Lisa Leslie now part of the Sparks' organization was on hand with her family celebrating her 40th birthday and having a great time as the Sparks had no problems with Seattle and never let them get back into the game, which lately has been a problem for the Sparks during games. Seattle's Camille Little who finished the night with 12 points, Shekinna Stricklen and Alysha Clark both had 11 points still wasn't enough fire power too match the Sparks offense and without Sue Bird playing it was a up hill battle all night.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker  and Seattle's #7 Tina
Thompson. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Even though the Sparks defeated Seattle 83-59 another question will have to be answer when they play against Atlanta on Sunday night, teams that seems too have size they have had a problems with. The Atlanta Dream back on June 15 beat the Sparks real bad  92-59 for their worst lost of the season, and you know that defeat is still on their minds. You could tell that the Sparks was getting ready for what would be a must win for the Sparks against Atlanta by the way they played tonight.

Sparks' #0 Alana Beard has been solid at the
guard position. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Sparks'#3 Candace and #10 Andrea
Riley. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The big scare of the night came when new team mate Andrea Riley threw a pass to Candace Parker behind her and she reach back for it, you could tell that she was in pain and everyone at Staple Center could only hope that she would return to the game. The other scare in the game  was when Tina Thompson and Nneka Ogwumike collided and Tina Thompson rolled over in real pain. Minutes later Thompson got up with the help of team mates and walked over to her bench. Candace Parker injury prove not too be real serious as she return back to the game later on.

Sparks' #0 Alana Beard applying defensive pressure
on Seattle's #7 Tina Thompson. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

The Sparks' Kristi Toliver had another great game with 23 points,Candace Parker 17 points 14 rebounds, DeLisha Milton-Jones 15 points, Nneka Ogwumike 13 points 11 rebounds and Alana Beard finish the night with 10 points and played solid defense for the Sparks. Seattle's Camille Little led her team with 12 points, Alysha Clark and Shekinna Stricklen both had 11 points and Tina Thompson and Svetlana Abrosimova both finish with 9 points. My biggest concern for the Sparks is the number of minutes played by the starters during games, and the lack of minutes and scoring by the bench will have to be address by the Sparks' coaching staff. Ebony Hoffman, Nicky Anosike and new team mate Andrea Riley will have to become a factor if the Sparks are to compete for the WNBA Title. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.

Minnesota Goes Down Swinging 96-90 Loss Against The Sparks

Story by L.T.Willis

The Los Angeles Sparks' #3 Candace Parker and The
Minnesota Lynx's #23 Maya Moore  kept the fans at
The Staple Center on the edge of their seats. Photo
By Eric Wade/T.G. Sports

The Los Angeles Sparks are now (11-6) after beating the Minnesota Lynx (13-3) 96-90 yesterday afternoon at the Staple Center. However there are some serious issues the Sparks must fix if they are going to contend for the WNBA Championship. The Sparks had as much as a 20 point lead to see it collapse and watch Minnesota fight and claw back into the game and go down swinging. So Many times the Sparks would have big leads then give it right back and games they should win easily, now becomes a dog fight.

The Los Angeles Sparks' #20 Kristi "Popcorn" Toliver is
becoming a superstar in the WNBA. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

After losing 3 games on the road the energy from the Sparks were high as Candace Parker and Kristi Toliver were sending the Lynx a message that their team will have too be recon with as the Sparks were hitting  from long range and had a 8 point lead 19-11 with 3:20 left in the first quarter. The Lynx's Seimone Augustus was having her way in the first quarter as she scored 8 points to help keep Minnesota close. Candace Parker was having a MVP game early with a double- double in the makings  with 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Kristi Toliver 11 points both combine for 9-11 from the floor to give the Sparks a 24-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Minnesota Lynx's # 23 Maya Moore. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

Maya Moore continues to show why she one of the top players in the WNBA when her team was trailing by nine points  early in the second quarter 34-25, she came in for Monica Wright and the Lynx began their run. Lindsay Whalen hit a 3 pointer to cut the lead to 34-28, but the Sparks' April Sykes hit a jump shot from 18 feet to push the lead back up to 36-28. With 5:40 left in the second quarter Maya Moore hit a 3 pointer and now the Lynx trailed 36-31 and Seimone Augustus hit a three pointer too cut the lead to 36-34 and the Sparks called a time out. The Sparks regain their composer and push their lead to 49-43 at the the end of the first half.

The Sparks' #3 Candace Parker leading
a fast break against Minnesota. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports

The Sparks' #0 Alana Beard scored 10
points and 5 assist. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Now in the third quarter if you would have told me that The Los Angeles Sparks would have a 18 point lead over the WNBA defending champs at the 2:23 mark 70-52, i would have ask what have you been drinking. The truth of the matter it was the way the Sparks did it with great defense, Minnesota shot 6 for17 from the floor a terrible 35.3% and 2 for 6 from the free throw line 33.3%. The Sparks shot 8 for14 from the floor 57.1% and a made 8 of 12 of their free throws for 66.7%. Candace Parker had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Kristi Toliver had 23 points and 6 assist while Minnesota's Seimone Augustus had 18 points, Rebekkah Brunson 11 points 9 rebounds and Maya Moore had only 8 points.

Minnesota Lynx #23 Maya Moore, #33 Seimone Augustus
wasn't going too just lay down trailing by eighteen points
75-57 at the end of the third quarter. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Well in the back of the mind of many Sparks fans including me could not believe the score that the Sparks were just having their way with the defending WNBA champions The Minnesota Lynx and walked away with a blow out implanted on their minds.The fourth quarter proved too be what champions are made of and what teams must do too become champions as Minnesota went on a run of their on too cut the Sparks lead to nine points with 3:23 left in the game 84-75 and the Sparks had no choice but too call a time out.  Minutes later Maya Moore hit a 3 pointer and now the lead is six points 84-76 with 2:10 left in the game.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker was just too much for
Minnesota to handle as she scored 28 points and
13 rebounds. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Minnesota had storm back being down twenty points and their defense clamped down on the Sparks' offense who shot 3 for13 from the floor 23.1% with about 27 seconds left in the game had just only a 5 point lead 90-85. What save the Sparks was their great free throw shooting with Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver and Alana Beard shot 14 for 14 100.% that sealed the game with a victory over Minnesota 96-90. Even though Minnesota shoting in the fourth quarter was 12 for26 for 46.2% and 6 for 8 from the free throw line ,the Sparks could learn a very important lesson from this game.

Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver scored 29 points, 6 assist
and only 2 turnover in the game against Minnesota
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

For the Sparks to become champions they must play smart basketball all four quarters, manage the game better by not allowing teams to get back in the game, must develop a killer instinct and learn from a champion that no matter how bad things get never give up. The good thing about this game the Sparks came closer too understand what they must figure out as a team, how to become champions. The pieces are there if the players grasp the challenge. Minnesota Lynx's Seimone Augustus finish with 18 points, Maya Moore 14 points, Rebekkah Brunson 11 points 9 rebounds, Amber Harris and Candice Wiggins both finish with 10 points. The Sparks' Kristi "Popcorn" Toliver  lead her team with 29 points 6 assist, Candace Parker 28 points 13 rebounds, Nneka Ogwumike 12 points 7 rebounds and Alana Beard 10 points and 4 assist. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.