Lebron James passes Michael Jordan in all time scorers list:
During a 115-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan on the all-time scorers list. James is now in fourth place with 33,290 career points as of December 20. The Akron native is now 353 points away from surpassing Lakers icon Kobe Bryant on the list. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike play for the Los Angeles Sparks:
Before the start of the 2019 WNBA season, the Los Angeles Sparks acquired forward Chiney Ogwumike from the Connecticut Sun in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2020 draft. She joined her sister, 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike and helped the Sparks to a 22-12 overall record. Los Angeles reached the WNBA Semifinals for the third time in the last four seasons, but lost the Sun knocked them out of contention. In L.A., Chiney was able to continue working as an EPSN analyst while competing in the WNBA. (Amanda Scurlock/L.A. Sentinel)
Rams in the Super Bowl:
The Los Angeles Rams had a thrilling in-season run which included an eight-game winning streak and competing in the highest scoring Monday Night Football game. Their contending season concluded in a defense-heavy, low-scoring loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. The halftime score was 3-0 in favor of the Patriots, there was only one touchdown during the game. Veteran quarterback Tom Brady became the oldest signal caller to with a Super Bowl as the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3.
(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carson Girls Track team wins 6th consecutive City Championship:
The Carson high school girls track and field squad paced several events during the City Section Championship. Carson sprinter Ryan Lacefield came in first place for the 200m the 400m. Justina Graham dominated the 300 hurdles. Indiah Turner earned first place in the triple jump and second place in the long jump. The Colts also finished first the 4x100m and came second in the 4x400m. (Amanda Scurlock/L.A. Sentinel)
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard going to the Clippers:
After a pertinacious run in the NBA Playoffs, the Clippers shocked the league by signing reigning NBA champion Kawhi Leonard to a four-year, $141 million contract. The Clippers also traded guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Danilo Gallinari to the Oklahoma City Thunder for All-Star forward Paul George. The two players are natives to Southern California and played their first game as teammates during a game against the Boston Celtics in late November. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Clippers getting their Stadium in Inglewood:
Briefly after their blockbuster trade, the Clippers announce their plans to move from the Staples Center to Inglewood, releasing the rendering of a new stadium that will sit 18,500 eager Clipper fans. The stadium will open in 2024 and will include team offices, a practice facility, sports medicine clinic and outdoor basketball courts that will be open to the public. (Courtesy photo)
Tina Thompson Jersey retirement:
USC honored the achievements of basketball Hall of Famer Tina Thompson by retiring her no.14 jersey. The ceremony took place when the Women of Troy basketball team played against Virginia, the team Thompson is head coach of. During her time with the Women of Troy, she became the fifth all-time leading scorer in the history of USC women’s basketball. Thompson went on two win the first four WNBA titles with the Houston Comets.
Anthony Davis was traded to the Lakers:
Over the summer, the Los Angeles Lakers worked to build a team around NBA icon LeBron James. The biggest roster change came when they traded young players Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart for All-Star forward Anthony Davis. He has made huge strides since the beginning of the season; his 27.7 points per game is currently fifth in the league. In December, Davis made a season high of 50 points when the Lakers played against the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Courtesy Photo)
Coco Gauff’s run at Wimbledon:
Teen pro tennis player Cori “Coco” Gauff made headlines after upsetting her idol Venus Williams in straight sets. Gauff moved to defeat Slovakian player Magdalena Rybarikova in the next round. Her thrilling run was cut short when she was defeated by Simona Halep in the round of 16. Gauff is currently ranked 68 in the WTA.(AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Jay Z’s partnership with the NFL/controversy:
Shawn “Jay Z” Carter’s company Roc Nation partnered with the NFL to provide entertainment for the Super Bowl and other events. The partnership was not well received because activist and quarterback Colin Kaepernick could not get on any NFL roster. Carter noted how the partnership will allow him to bolster the Inspire Change Initiative, a program created by the NFL for social justice. Safety Eric Reid vented his disdain on Twitter, stating that Carter is helping “the NFL in burying Colin’s career.” (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)
Simone Biles becoming the most decorated gymnast in World championships:
Team USA gymnast Simone Biles earned her 25th World championship medal in October, beating record-holder Vitaly Scherbo’s 23 medals. Biles won gold for the floor exercise, the all-around and the balance beam; she helped Team USA with their fifth consecutive team title. Biles also debuted two gymnastics moves during the Worlds and was elected Female Olympic Athlete of the Year.
(Marijan Murat/dpa via AP)
Kawhi Leonard gives backpacks to three school districts:
Briefly after he joined the L.A. Clippers, NBA Champion forward Kawhi Leonard partnered with the L.A. Clippers foundation and nonprofit organization Baby2baby to donate backpacks to the Los Angeles, Moreno Valley, and Inglewood United School Districts. Leonard announced his donation at 107th street school. With the help of TV stars Zooey Deschanel, Nicole Richie and Busy Philipps, he passed out backpacks at the elementary school (Photo by Jevone Moore / LA Sentinel)
Crenshaw boys 4×100 relay team qualifies for state meet:
The sprinters of the Crenshaw boys track team had a competitive run during the Spring. At the Coliseum League final, they outstepped View park and Dorsey to come in first place with a 42.93s time. The Cougars advanced to the City Section Championships, where they came in third with a 42.91s time. Their time allowed them to travel to Clovis for the State Prelims where they came in 19th with a 42.63s time.(Amanda Scurlock/L.A. Sentinel)
Joyciline Jepkosgei won the TCS New York City Marathon:
Kenya was well represented during the TCS New York City marathon. In her very first marathon, long distance runner Joyciline Jepkosgei not only won the TCS Marathon, but beat Mary Keitany. Keitany is the world record holder in a women-only marathon. Jepkosgei finished with a 2:22:38, the second fastest in the women’s open division in the history of the New York Marathon (Getty Image)
Fairfax alum Ethan Anderson committing to USC:
During his senior season with the Fairfax Lions boys basketball team, he averaged 20.8 points and 6.2 rebounds . He helped the Lions go 27-2 and have an undefeated record in the Western league. Fairfax ultimately defeated Westchester 60-53 to win the City Section Open Division Championships. Anderson soon committed to play for the USC men’s basketball team, where he averages 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
(Bob Booth/Star-Telegram via AP)
Gardena Football in the State Playoffs:
The Gardena Panthers football team had a season of ups and downs. After starting their season with a five-game winning streak, Gardena suffered a series of tough losses during Marine League play. Through it all, they earned a second seed in the City Section Division III playoffs. They beat the undefeated Marquez Gladiators 14-8 to win the Division III City Section Championship and they then qualified for the Division 7-AA State playoffs. After defeating Francis Parker of San Diego 27-13, Gardena fell to the Lincoln Mustangs of San Francisco 35-26 in the title game. (Photo by Jevone Moore / LA Sentinel)
Carlos Vela Breaks MLS Scoring Record:
In his and LAFC’s second season in Major League Soccer, Vela broke the record for goals in a season. He finished the season with a record 34 goals and 15 assists, for a combined record of 49 points, which earned him the MLS Golden Boot award as the league’s top-scorer and the Landon Donovan MVP Award.
(Photo by Robert Torrance)
