USC Falls To San Diego State At Galen Center

Story by Nick Hamilton

With their first game back on the mainland since participating in the Maui Invitational, the USC Trojans looked to rebound to some winning ways as they faced the #25 San Diego State Aztecs at Galen Center.

The Aztecs got off to an amazing dominating start that was captivated by Xavier Thames 3 pointer that opened up the lead 12-2 with a little over 14 minutes left in the first half. The Aztecs continued to dominate as James Rohan scored seven straight points that included a three pointer which increased their lead 27-8 over the Trojans with just seven minutes left. A much needed timeout was called by Trojans head coach Kevin O'Neill.

Coming out of the timeout didn't help the Trojans as the missed their first nine out of ten shots, and also allowed four turnovers.
The Trojans helped their cause by Ari Steward hitting a big 3 pointer to end the first half only down 35-23.

In the second half the Trojans came out much more focused and confident, when the Trojans went on an explosive 18-4 to capture the lead for the first time in the game, thanks to an opening Eric Wise basket at the 18 minute mark. With a much improved Trojans defense, the game remained tight, as the two teams battled back and forth for possession and outstanding shot selections.

The Aztecs would take control down the stretch as the Trojans Omar Oraby would given two technical fouls late in the game. Both Thames and Franklin connected on 5 of 6 free throws from the line that increased the Aztecs lead 64-57 with just two minutes left.

The game continued to remain chippy with just 35 seconds left Aztecs Jamaal Franklin picked up a foul and then a technical foul in protest of the foul he picked up. Trojans guard J.T. Terrell made 1 of 2 from the free throw line and still trailed 64-58.

With nine seconds left, Eric Wise stole the ball from Franklin and kicked it out to Steward for a 3 pointer, and Steward missed. An assertive Dewayne Dedmon grabbed the rebound and made the jumper with just five seconds left.
The Aztecs would run out the clock and pick up the 66-60 victory over the Trojans at Galen Center.

"Anytime you win a road game it's a great feeling, especially at the Galen Center against a Pac 12 team. We continued to battle and stay focused even after sling our big lead," said Rohan.

Aztecs Xavier Thames finished with 14 points, JJ O'Brien also finished with 12 points. Aztecs top recruit Skylar Spencer out of Price High in Los Angeles scored 2 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Trojans Eric Wise finished with 14 points, and Dewayne Dedmon also finished with 5 points and 10 rebounds.
Trojans head coach Kevin O'Neill spoke about the late technical foul on Omar Oraby. "That late technical was a big play. It was immature on Omar's part. The immaturity of the emotional stuff, you can't overcome that against a good team. That's not acceptable."

O'Neill also commented on his team's performance, "we got better as the game went on. We had our chances. We got the lead twice in the second half. But you can't shoot 11 of 20 from the line and you can't be immature. We gave into things at the end and that hurt us."

The Aztecs have won 10 consecutive games against Pac-12 teams, and have finally earned first win at Galen Center in seven attempts.

 A very proud San Diego State coach Steve Fisher spoke about his team's performance, "I'm proud of the toughness and the character of our team to win a like this." "We have a long way to go to get where we think we want to be."

"Beating a Pac-12 team on the road does a lot for our confidence. This will help us prepare for UCLA next weekend," said Aztec guard Jamaal Franklin.

Long Beach Poly Beats St.John Bosco 13-10 To Advance to the Finals.

Story by L.T.Willis

St.John Bosco's #3 John Rosen being pressure by Long Beach Poly
defense. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

The game between Long Beach Poly (9-3) and St John Bosco (8-4) was a game that will be remember as a physical game and big plays on defense. St.John Bosco trying to make it to it's first ever sectional championship title in school history, had the Jackrabbits standing in their way. About 11,000 fans made it to Veteran Stadium to see Long Beach Poly beat St.John Bosco 13-10 in a thriller.

The Jackrabbits scored first on a six yard touchdown run by Gerald Wicks with 3:33 left in the first quarter to give them a 6-0 lead. Both teams defense didn't really allow each other defense to get going and establish any kind of rhythm. The second half the fog roll in and onto the field and now both teams really had to stay focus.

Long Beach Poly #23 Gerald Wicks had a big night against
St.John Bosco as he scored on a 6 yard touchdown run.
Photo by William Johnson.

St John got on the board early  in the third quarter after the a great play by the Braves' Aaron Aragon stripped Wicks and return the ball to the Jackrabbits 26 yard line, but two costly penalties force the Braves to settle for a 43 yard field goal by Reid Budrovich to trail Poly 6-3. St John Bosco took the lead with 3:33 left in the third quarter after Naijiel Hale intercepted the ball a ran it back 64 yards to give the Braves a 10-6 lead.

St.John Bosco's #7 Naijiel Hale was making plays for the Braves, and none
bigger than a 64 yard touchdown interception to give them a 10-6 lead.
Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

The Jackrabbits answer the score when they drove down the field for 76 yards as Tai Tiedemann scored on a quarterback sneak from one yard out to regain the lead 13-10 after a 14-plays and 76 yards drive, and the Poly fans went crazy.St John Bosco still had one more chance to even tie or win the game, drove to the Jackrabits' 35 yard line, but was intercepted on fourth down by John Smith with 1:13 left in the game that crush any hopes for St John Bosco to reach the finals.

Long Beach Poly's quarterback #3 Tai Tiedemann scores on a one yard
touchdown run to give the Jackrabbits a 13-10 victory over the Braves.
Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

After the game coach Laura said," we were fortunate to win this game which could have gone either way for both teams,"  but i was glad that John came up big for us with his interception." Our running game was huge for us also."Gerald Wicks had a big night for Poly carried the ball 27 times for 129 yards and one touchdown. 

Poly who hasn't played in the finals since 2008 will play Mater Dei for the title at Angel Stadium on next Saturday. For more photos of this great game go to our website at www.tgsportstv.com , click on the Prep/JC  Gallery and scroll down to the St.John Bosco @ Long Beach Poly. All photo are by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

City Section Playoffs Venice Holds on to Beat San Pedro 27-24

Story by Erin Giddens

Venice hosting San Pedro in a quarterfinals city section playoff game.
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

When San Pedro and Venice met in the playoffs last year, police use pepper spray after an altercation broke out during the post game handshakes after Venice's 35-10 victory. Friday night both teams were friendly after No.3 seed Venice shocked the the Pirates in a 27-24 win in the L.A. City Section Division I quarterfinals at Venice High.

In the first half, Venice (10-2) went 80 yards in eight plays, finish the drive off by a yard touchdown run by Alijah Lee to take a 20-14 lead on San Pedro. It was the first the Gondoliers first lead since going up 3-0 early in the first quarter. San Pedro (8-4) came back on the next drive, which ended with a 27 yard field goal for Christian Gonzales.

San Pedro's #36 Darrell Santiago. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Pirates went back ahead early in the fourth quarter when Darrell Santiago scored on a 15 yard touchdown run to put San Pedro up 24-20. Santiago carried the ball 23 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. San Pedro defense had to step up and make plays after punting the ball with 1:42 left in the game. The pirates had force Venice to a three-and-out on it's previous three possessions.

With no timeouts, Venice took the ball on their own 17 yard line. Venice showed composure by quickly moving the ball down field. They went 83 yards in eight plays. Venice's quarterback Alexander Diamont connected with Kaelin Jones on a 10 yard touchdown pass, after a corner back from San Pedro gave him a big cushion, forced himself into the end zone with 40 seconds left.

Venice's #8 Kaelin Jones scored the winning touchdown catch from
10 yards out to help defeat San Pedro 27-24. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

 Venice quarterback Alexander Diamont was 7 of 8 for all 83 yards on the drive. The Pirates got the ball back with 40 seconds left on the clock, but quarterback Jimmy Bryant's pass was intercepted by Dajuan Parham with 17 seconds left to seal the game for Venice. For more photos from this game go to our website at www.tgsportstv.com ,click on the Prep/JC Gallery and scroll down to San Pedro @ Venice. All Photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.