Sports Desk

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

CITY SECTION

East Valley 49, Canoga Park 44

Orthopaedic 51, South East 31

San Fernando 84, Fulton 51

Vaughn 84, Chavez 52

SOUTHERN SECTION

Alemany 73, Los Osos 52

Aquinas 57, Sonora 44

Arcadia 73, Rancho Mirage 59

Banning 55, Rim of the World 32

Beverly Hills 57, Vista Murrieta 47

Bishop Amat 87, Brea Olinda 47

Buena 54, Foothill Tech 53

California 66, Yorba Linda 59

Capistrano Valley Christian 68, Jurupa Hills 42

Cathedral 62, Fontana 60

Channel Islands 41, Carpinteria 36

Claremont 60, Hacienda Heights Wilson 41

Colony 64, Quartz Hill 45

Corona Centennial 71, Mater Dei 57

Crean Lutheran 60, Crespi 57

Cypress 86, Norte Vista 66

Dana Hills 47, Marina 39

Desert Hot Springs 80, Santa Rosa Academy 53

Edison 66, Riverside King 48

El Modena 71, Avalon 34

Elsinore 82, San Bernardino 63

Esperanza 67, Lakewood 51

Eitwanda 59, Murrieta Mesa 52

Hesperia 62, Fairmont Prep 58

Holy Martyrs Armenian 58, Pasadena Poly 43

La Canada 47, Charter Oak 44

Loma Linda Academy 43, Escondido Adventist 29

Los Alamitos 57, Rolling Hills Prep 50

Los Amigos 61, Ocean View 37

Malibu 47, Shalhevet 43

Mira Costa 61, Camarillo 46

Montclair 73, Sierra Vista 72

Newport Harbor 64, Servite 63

North Torrance 57, Flintridge Prep 42

Ontario Christian 64, Glendora 61

Orange Lutheran 58, La Serna 53

Oxnard Pacifica 44, Agoura 33

Saddleback 74, El Toro 62

San Gabriel Academy 52, Windward 59

San Marcos 74, Righetti 33

Santa Margarita 82, Millikan 77

St. Bernard 76, Loyola 72

St. Francis 55, Maranatha 46

St. Genevieve 59, Schurr 56

St. John Bosco 62, La Mirada 51

Sunny Hills 37, Troy 35

Tesoro 51, Shadow Hills 38

Trabuco Hills 55, Placentia Valencia 45

West Torrance 68, Verbum Dei 50

Whittier 65, Montebello 63

Woodbridge 49, Beckman 47

INTERSECTIONAL

Alhambra 55, Sotomayor 26

Burroughs 47, Carson 45

Calabasas 79, Sylmar 43

Corona del Mar 59. Carlsbad 48

Crescenta Valley 69, Verdugo Hills 48

Damien 54, Millville (Utah) Ridgeline 38

El Camino Real 78, Newbury Park 59

Gabrielino 84, Fremont 57

Gahr 57, Marquez 51

LA Hamilton 73, Fillmore 64

Lawndale 76, Bernstein 72

Moorpark 80, Van Nuys 34

Rancho Christian 55, San Diego 48

Redondo Union 65, Frederick (Md.) 44

Sierra Canyon 82, Bishop O’Dowd 37

St. Bonaventure 71, Animo Robinson 20

Village Christian 98, Chatsworth 56

GIRLS

SOUTHERN SECTION

Aquinas 68, Ramona Convent 19

Arrowhead Christian 47, Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 49

Arroyo Grande 52, Westlake 48

Baldwin Park 46, Excelsior Charter 32

Bishop Diego 63, Santa Clara 6

Buena Park 53, Camarillo 46

Chino Hills 63, Temescal Canyon 20

Claremont 43, Walnut 33

Corona del Mar 49, Covina 17

Downey 36, Upland 35

El Modena 65, Avalon 24

El Segundo 36, Savanna 34

El Toro 50, Godinez 42

Fullerton 44, Oxford Academy 36

Gabrielino 35, West Covina 24

Garden Grove 63, Estancia 42

Harvard-Westlake 53, Santa Monica 27

Hesperia 71, Irvine University 12

Laguna Beach 45, Capistrano Valley 39

La Salle 61, Marlborough 42

La Serna 55, Tustin 28

Loma Linda Academy 58, Escondido Academy 50

Los Alamitos 66, Cypress 53

Los Altos 53, Rio Hondo Prep 34

Los Osos 79, Chino 59

Marina 49, Anaheim Canyon 42

Marymount 45, Faith Baptist 13

Mira Costa 46, Rosary Academy 42

Oxnard 58, Moorpark 15

Palos Verdes 72, Murrieta Mesa 31

Pilibos 40, Warren 35

Portola 54, Oak Hills 45

Redondo Union 68, Esperanza 50

Sage Hill 68, Santa Margarita 39

San Dimas 56, Calvary Baptist 43

Santa Ana Foothill 51, Huntington Beach 36

Segerstrom 54, Wiseburn Da VInci 35

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 61, Keppel 54

Silverado 48, Northview 41

South Hills 35, Rancho Verde 25

St. Bonaventure 53, Newbury Park 40

St. Genevieve 48, Agoura 41

Summit 62, San Bernardino 31

Thousand Oaks 52, Orcutt Academy 47

Torrance 65, Placentia Valencia 35

Troy 66, Rancho Cucamonga 49

Valencia 59, Palm Desert 30

Ventura 58, Chaminade 36

Villa Park 62, Santa Fe 31

Yorba Linda 41, Long Beach Jordan 35

Yucaipa 74, La Canada 47

INTERSECTIONAL

Bernstein 40, Beverly Hills 20

Clovis West 68, Rialto 40

Granada Hills 66, Canyon Country Canyon 58

King/Drew 66, Cresenta Valley 64

La Jolla Country Day 43, Windward 39

Las Vegas (Nev.) Democracy Prep Agassi Campus 66, Etiwanda 61

St. Margaret’s 56, Centennial (Colo.) Eaglecrest 54

West Torrance 65, Birmingham 51

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has described hearing gunshots during Sunday’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach as “terrifying”.

Vaughan, who is in Australia commentating on the Ashes, was locked inside a restaurant “a few hundred yards from Bondi” for several hours alongside his wife, sister-in-law, two daughters, and a friend.

The 51-year-old, who is staying in nearby Coogee and had spent the day with his family watching his son’s cricket match, was on his phone outside the restaurant when he heard what he thought was “fireworks” coming from the beach before being told to get inside by a bouncer.

Authorities have confirmed that at least 15 civilians, including one child, have been killed in the attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration on the beach held by Sydney’s Jewish community.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Vaughan said: “Yesterday was a surreal day that I don’t really want to go through again.

“I’m deeply saddened by everything that has gone on.

“To be 300 yards away, in a pub locked away, scary times.

“I look at Bondi and Sydney in particular – it’s like my second home. Australia is an amazing country, and it’s probably one of the countries in the whole world where I always say it’s the safest. It’s the safest place.”

Police have confirmed a father and son were the alleged shooters, with the older man killed at the scene and the other in hospital in a critical condition.

Writing in The Telegraph, external, Vaughan added: “Like most people, I have been at home watching terrorist attacks unfold in London, or Manchester, near where I live.

“That all feels very close to home, and is scary. But to be so close that you can hear it happening is terrifying.”

A look at The Times’ top 25 boys’ basketball rankings for the Southland after Week 4.

Rk. School (Rec.); Comment; ranking last week

1. SIERRA CANYON (7-1): Face Crean Lutheran on Saturday; 1

2. SANTA MARGARITA (11-1): Headed to Las Vegas for Tarkanian Classic; 2

3. ST. JOHN BOSCO (8-0): Champions of their own tournament behind Christian Collins; 3

4. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (9-1): Next up is a trip to Hawaii; 4

5. REDONDO UNION (6-2): Went 1-1 on East Coast trip; 5

6. SAN GABRIEL ACADEMY (1-3): Another team headed to Las Vegas; 6

7. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (6-2): Face Riviera Prep from Miami on Friday; 7

8. CREAN LUTHERAN (9-2): Hunter Caplan has been making major contributions; 8

9. CORONA CENTENNIAL (10-1): Isaiah Rogers is MVP of San Juan Hills tourney;11

10 VILLAGE CHRISTIAN (7-3): Freshman Will Conroy leading team in scoring; 9

11. ETIWANDA (13-0): North Orange County tournament champions; 15

12. CORONA DEL MAR (11-0): 11 straight wins to start season is impressive; 16

13. CRESPI (6-4): Waiting for cavalry to arrive on Dec. 26 ; 10

14. DAMIEN (12-2): Went 2-1 on trip to Idaho; 14

15. FAIRMONT PREP (6-4): Suffering close losses to good teams; 12

16. JSERRA (6-4): Jaden Bailes continues to lead Lions; 13

17. LA MIRADA (4-4): Strong schedule will pay off; 18

18. CHAMINADE (11-0): Close win over El Camino Real keeps Eagles unbeaten; 19

19. ARCADIA (7-1): Good win over Pasadena in Pacific League opener; 20

20. PASADENA (3-2): Bulldogs waiting for players to become eligible; 21

21. CROSSROADS (7-1): Winning without Evan Willis (flu); 22

22. EASTVALE ROOSEVELT (5-3): Face Hesperia on Tuesday 23

23. BRENTWOOD (10-0): Headed to Hawaii; 24

24. RANCHO VERDE (9-2): Semaj Carter has been on scoring run; NR

25. ROLLING HILLS PREP (10-1): Suffered first loss to Los Alamitos; 17

While both Cardiff and Ospreys won, the off-the-politics are never far away with rumours of a link-up in the future between the two teams. However unpopular that scenario is.

Ospreys owners, Y11 Sport & Media, have been linked with taking over Welsh Rugby Union-owned Cardiff, with the move creating dismay among both sets of supporters on social media.

The Welsh Rugby Union are looking for a way to cut the number of men’s professional side from four to three. Ospreys owners buying Cardiff might provide a neat solution for them.

Discussions are expected to continue between the WRU and other interested parties about the Cardiff takeover.

In April, the WRU stepped in after Cardiff temporarily went into administration.

The Blue and Blacks might be owned by the WRU but that does not stop the club providing a platform for criticism of Welsh rugby’s governing body in the match programme, external for the Ulster game.

The CF10 Rugby Trust, an independent Cardiff supporters group, produced an article welcoming back Leigh Halfpenny but also reflecting on what they perceive as recent WRU failures.

An extract read: “He [Halfpenny] was part of a Cardiff side that had been allowed to develop over time with steady, reliable funding, and youngsters coming into that environment felt the benefit.

“The past 10 years in Welsh rugby have sadly offered a less ideal stage for young talents.

“So often our professional teams have been unable to know what their budgets are until too late in the day to recruit properly. So often, jobs on and off the field have been put under threat.”

The programme article continued: “Over these past 17 years, Welsh pro rugby has lost its way. We have been badly let down by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

“By creating a situation of chronic instability, the game’s leaders have let down every young player dreaming of professional rugby and following in Halfpenny’s footsteps. Welsh rugby continues to go through a period of chronic uncertainty.”

PHOENIX — LeBron James missed the first free throw that would have tied it. Then, bailed out by a foul with 3.9 seconds remaining, he missed the second. A long-awaited swish finally quieted a restless Phoenix crowd.

The Lakers squandered a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead and survived only after the Suns’ Devin Booker fouled James on a three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left, pulling out a 116-114 win on Sunday.

Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 29 points, James added 26 and Deandre Ayton had 20 points and 13 rebounds against his old team. Playing without Austin Reaves (calf strain), the Lakers attempted 43 free throws in a testy game that featured five technical fouls and one late ejection.

Dillon Brooks hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 12.2 seconds left to complete the Suns’ comeback, but he was ejected after he bumped chests with James and got his second technical foul. Brooks received a technical in the first quarter and James drew a technical in the third after a perceived slight from Brooks, who slapped a loose ball toward James during a pause in the action.

Brooks had 18 points and missed most of the third quarter after picking up his fifth foul.

The Lakers finished that quarter on a 15-0 run, largely off hustle plays from Jake LaRavia. The forward who has averaged 5.1 points in the last 10 games, including two scoreless outings, played more than eight minutes in the first half and had nothing to show for it besides two missed shots and a foul. He made just one shot in the third quarter and watched an easy layup roll around the rim and pop out. But he made an impact on defense with two steals, a block and four rebounds in the quarter.

His defense led to the offensive highlight of the third as he stole a pass and shoveled the ball to Jaxson Hayes in transition. The 7-foot center cocked the ball behind his head on a violent, two-handed dunk over Oso Ighodaro and finished the three-point play from the free-throw line.

Hayes had 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench. After getting just five bench points from anyone not named Marcus Smart in losing their last game to the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers (18-7) got a balanced 30-point lift from their reserves, including seven from Jarred Vanderbilt, who played his first significant minutes in a month.

Vanderbilt had been relegated to the bench since the return of James, but brought a much-needed lift Sunday as the team hoped to rediscover its defensive mentality. The forward was active on defense, had seven rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench and even hit a three-pointer.

But the Lakers fell out of their rhythm when that second unit went to the bench in the fourth quarter. With their starting five in for the final three minutes, the Lakers let a 111-97 lead evaporate as they missed shots, gave up threes and committed fouls and turnovers.

It was a struggle all the way, but USC men’s basketball continued its hot start with a 68-61 nonconference victory over Washington State on Sunday at Galen Center.

The Trojans (10-1) led by three with five minutes remaining, but outscored the visitors 13-9 down the stretch to notch their second straight win.

Jacob Cofie led the way with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Chad Baker-Mazara added 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Ezra Ausar had 13 points and was nine of 11 from the free-throw line.

Rihards Vavers led the Cougars (3-8) with 13 points.

Charlie Smyth kicked a 47-yard field goal with six seconds left on the clock to give the New Orleans Saints a 20-17 win over division rivals the Carolina Panthers.

The former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in County Down was making his third career start at the Superdome and also kicked a 42-yarder as well two extra points in the win.

The Saints had trailed 17-7 in the third quarter but Smyth’s first field goal of the game brought them back within a score.

Chris Olave’s touchdown grab then gave Smyth the opportunity to tie the game with the 24-year-old duly adding the extra point to make it 17-17 with two minutes and eight seconds remaining.

The Panthers could only manage one first down on their next drive to give the Saints the ball back and the chance for a second straight win.

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough led New Orleans into position with the Saints’ cause aided by a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty called on the Panthers’ Lathan Ransom.

Smyth’s kick then gave the side their fourth win of the season and second in succession after last week’s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Rams are going to the playoffs.

The only questions now: Can they hold onto the No. 1 seed in the NFC and have home-field advantage for the entire postseason. And will receiver Davante Adams be fit for the stretch run?

The Rams clinched a playoff spot on Sunday with a 41-34 victory over the Detroit Lions before 74,701 at SoFi Stadium in a game that featured Adams’ fourth-quarter departure because of a left hamstring injury.

Matthew Stafford outdueled Jared Goff, Puka Nacua continued his torrid receiving pace and the Rams defense shut down the Lions in the second half as the Rams improved their record to 11-3 and ensured their seventh playoff appearance under ninth-year coach Sean McVay.

It was a huge victory for a Rams team that will be tested again Thursday night when they play the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle.

The Seahawks (11-3) defeated Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Seattle, setting up the Thursday night showdown. The Rams currently hold the tie-breaker over the Seahawks because of their Nov. 16 victory over the Seahawks at SoFi Stadium.

Can they capture home field throughout the playoffs for the first time?

They advanced to the Super Bowl in the 2018 and the 2021 seasons without the benefit of playing every playoff game at home.

The Rams finish the regular season with games against the Seahawks, a road trip to Atlanta and a home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

As expected, the victory over the Lions (8-6) did not come easy.

The Rams overcame an early interception and 10-point deficit late in the second quarter.

Adams, who has been nursing a hamstring issue, left the field for the locker room and did not return to the game after appearing to suffer an injury early in the fourth quarter.

McVay said Adams’ injury “didn’t look good” and wasn’t sure if Adams would be able to play against the Seahawks.

Stafford came alive in the second half, leading three consecutive scoring drives in the third quarter to give the Rams a 34-24 lead.

Stafford kept alive his drive for the NFL most valuable player award by completing 24 of 38 for 368 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception.

Nacua, coming off a performance against the Arizona Cardinals that earned him NFC offensive player of the week honors, caught nine passes for 181 yards. Adams caught four passes for 71 yards.

Tight end Colby Parkinson caught two touchdown passes, Kyren Williams rushed for two touchdowns and Blake Corum also scored on the ground.

Defensive lineman Kobie Turner had a key sack for a defense that gave up three touchdown passes and several big plays in the first half, but neutralized Goff for most of the second.

Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown started fast and helped the Lions take a 24-17 lead.

Stafford had a hand in that, throwing a ball into the waiting arms of Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who returned the interception 58 yards. On the next play, Goff found St. Brown for a touchdown.

Williams’ two short touchdown runs gave the Rams the lead midway through the second quarter. But Goff connected with St. Brown for a short touchdown and then hit Jameson Williams with a 31-yard scoring pass to put the Lions ahead, 24-14.

The Rams cut the deficit to seven points when Harrison Mevis closed the first half with a field goal.

The Rams opened the second half with another field goal to cut the Lions’ lead to four points.

The defense then forced the Lions to go three and out, forcing them to punt for the first time.

Stafford put the Rams ahead with a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson to give the Rams a 27-24 lead.

Turner’s sack of Goff helped set up another punt, and it took Stafford only 52 seconds to engineer another touchdown. He connected with Nacua for a 39-yard gain, and Blake Corum extended the lead with an 11-yard touchdown run.

The Lions kicked a field goal midway through the fourth quarter to trim the Rams’ lead to seven points, but Stafford’s second touchdown pass to Parkinson gave the Rams a 14-point lead with just under five minutes left.

David Montgomery’s short touchdown run late in the fourth quarter cut the lead back to seven.

Goff completed 25 of 41 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns. St. Brown caught 13 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

Kumar’s scoring was inferior to Veenstra’s, but his finishing proved crucial, boasting a 75% checkout success and hitting all his last seven doubles.

“I don’t know what to say right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” said Kumar, who is nicknamed ‘The Royal Bengal’.

“If you dream it, anything is possible. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship (in 1994).”

Asked about what his victory could do for darts in India, he said: “I’ve opened the floodgates to a billion of them.

“I’m sorry, 10 years down the line if you have eight people in the World Championship walking on to Bollywood music, don’t blame me.”

Veenstra hit five 100-plus finishes, with his highest coming at 144. Kumar was not as flamboyant with his scoring, but proved to be incredibly consistent as the crowd roared him on.

Three-time BDO world champion Glen Durrant said on Sky Sports: “It was one of the greatest games I have ever commentated on.

“It’s not just the quality of the match, it’s the impact for Nitin Kumar and what it does for Indian darts.”

Two seeds exited the competition on Sunday – world number 23 Dimitri van den Bergh and 27th-ranked Ritchie Edhouse.

Belgium’s Van den Bergh was out of sorts from the first dart and was comfortably beaten 3-0 by Scottish debutant Darren Beveridge.

In the afternoon session, Edhouse was knocked out by Jonny Tata, who was also making his first appearance.

Former European champion Edhouse was stunned 3-0 by the New Zealander, to taste defeat at this stage for the fourth time in a row.

But the same fate did not follow fellow seed Joe Cullen after he eased past Bradley Brooks with a 3-0 win.

The world number 32 was in fine form to produce his second-highest average on the world stage with 99.33.

Another debutant, Englishman Dom Taylor, progressed to the second round with a 3-0 win over Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak.

Meanwhile, the evening session saw the Netherlands’ Lukas Wenig beat Wesley Plaiser 3-1 while England’s James Hurrell beat Stowe Buntz by the same scoreline.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — What they started in balmy Brazil, the Chargers finished on a bitter cold day at Arrowhead Stadium.

They completed a season sweep of Kansas City with a 16-13 victory, solidifying their own playoff chances while driving a stake through the postseason hopes of their AFC West rival.

The Chiefs, who hadn’t missed the playoffs since 2014, officially were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

The come-from-behind victory gave the Chargers their 10th win with three games to go and kept alive their designs on winning a division currently led by the Denver Broncos.

Cameron Dicker kicked two of his three field goals after halftime to bring back the Chargers, who were facing a 13-3 deficit in the second quarter before scoring 13 unanswered points.

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes sustained an apparent leg injury late in the game and had to be helped to the locker room. He was replaced by Gardner Minshew, who was intercepted by Derwin James Jr. to end the game.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grabs his left leg after sustaining an injury in the fourth quarter.

(Reed Hoffmann / Associated Press)

With a temperature of 15 degrees at kickoff, this was the third-coldest game in Chargers history, although their defense looked at home in the frigid weather. Tuli Tuipulotu and Odafe Oweh each collected two sacks of Mahomes, and linebacker Daiyan Henley had a pivotal fourth-quarter interception of the Chiefs quarterback near the goal line.

Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was ejected in the fourth quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tyquan Thornton that knocked the Chiefs receiver out of the game. Earlier in the second half, Jefferson flattened Rashee Rice with another huge hit.

It marked just the second time in 13 years the Chargers beat the Chiefs (6-8) twice in the same season.

Former Grimsby Town and Barrow boss Michael Jolley has stepped down as manager of non-league side Bury after just two days following a backlash against his appointment.

It relates to an incident in 2009, when Jolley pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

He was sentenced to a year’s probation and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 12 months.

Jolley has always maintained the girl did not disclose her true age to him, telling him she was 19. In a statement on X on Sunday, he said subsequent investigations established he was “deceived, and at no time did I act maliciously”.

He has not been prevented from continuing his career in football and has worked at seven clubs since the incident, including two in the Football League.

Bury, who play in the eighth-tier Northern Premier League Division One West, announced the 48-year-old’s appointment on Friday.

It drew criticism on social media and Bury fans chanted for his removal as he watched Saturday’s 2-1 win against Mossley in the stands at Gigg Lane. The away team’s supporters also sang derogatory songs about him.

In a statement on Sunday, Bury said the club recognised “the strength of feeling expressed in recent days by supporters, staff, partners and players, and the very real impact the board’s decision to appoint Michael has had on individuals connected to the club”.

They included a statement from Jolley, which said: “I do not wish my presence to deter the board from its mission of returning the club to its rightful place in the EFL.”

In his statement on X, Jolley said his appointment had become a “distraction” for the club and he would “relinquish the opportunity to become first-team manager”.

Bury said he had been “relieved of his duties by mutual consent”.

In response, some fans called on board members to resign.

Bury said assistant manager Tim Lees would take charge of the side on an interim basis while the board undertakes “a wider review of club operations”.

“We will also be engaging directly with players, staff and stakeholders to listen, learn and ensure that appropriate support is available,” the club added.

“Our immediate priority is the welfare of our people and the stability of the club and our community.

“We believe this step is necessary to help restore confidence, create space for reflection and allow Bury FC to move forward in a way that reflects our values and responsibilities.”

The club said it remained committed to “acting with integrity, transparency and respect”.

Samantha Harman – a Her Game Too ambassador for the club’s supporters’ group – said there had been no advance notice of Jolley’s appointment.

“At the time the news was released, I was away with work and flew back immediately,” Harman posted on X. “I went straight to the game and made my feelings very clear to members of the board at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Since the announcement, I have had to manage the very real impact this decision has had on our volunteer base, including volunteers stepping down. This has been an extremely difficult situation to navigate.

“As volunteers, we are required to adhere to a social media policy, which limits our ability to publicly express personal feelings or opinions online.

“However, I want to be absolutely clear – the Her Game Too team at Bury FC was fully aligned with the concerns raised by supporters and did not stand by the decision made in this appointment.”

Jolley was put in charge after Dave McNabb stepped down as manager earlier this month to become head of football operations.

Announcing his appointment on Friday, a Bury statement said: “Michael’s blend of strategic expertise, coaching pedigree and global management experience makes him the right leader to inspire our squad and unite our supporters.”

In his statement on X, Jolley said: “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work at seven fantastic professional clubs since 2009. On joining each of those clubs, I have always proactively raised this incident after being offered employment. All those clubs considered the evidence and reached their own judgement based on the facts.

“Now in 2025, 16 and a half years later, my CRB [Criminal Records Bureau] check has long since shown as clear but in the interests of transparency and openness, I still ensure that any prospective employers have visibility of the issue if I do receive any offer of employment, and I did so once again in my discussions with Bury FC.

“If prospective employers wish to view the evidence or character references that were heard in court in 2009, I also ensure these documents are made available to them.

“Football being what it is, I have become accustomed to being abused in stadia and online by people unwilling or unable to accept the facts. Since I have a clear conscience regarding the incident, I have always believed that it is right that I stand my ground in the face of the abuse I have received during my football career.

“However, now with a young family of my own who wish to attend matches and support the club, I naturally place their wellbeing above my own and take a different perspective on this issue.”

USC women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb suffered a bitter defeat Saturday when her team lost 79-51 to top-ranked team UConn. But after she walked off court, she weighed in on a more pressing matter: the deadly shooting at her alma mater, Brown University.

“It’s the guns,” Gottlieb said as she began a post-game news conference at the Ivy League school. “It doesn’t need to be this way.”

Gottlieb said she got back to the locker room Saturday after the USC Trojans’ home game with No. 1 UConn Huskies and had “a million text messages” from former Brown teammates. A gunman had opened fire during final exams, killing two students and injuring nine others.

“We’re the only country that lives this way,” Gottlieb said, her voice shaking as she noted that she knew people who have children at Brown. “Parents should not have to be worried about their kids.”

Gottlieb, who graduated from Brown in 1999, was a member of the women’s basketball team and served as a student assistant coach during her senior season.

One of her former teammates, she said, was flying into Providence on Sunday, because she had a daughter who had taken shelter in the basement of the library, and “she doesn’t know what’s going on there.”

Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, said Sunday that a person of interest in his 20s was in custody. No charges have been filed, he said, noting “we’re in the process of collecting evidence.”

On Saturday, students and faculty spent the night on lockdown, trapped inside classrooms and dorms while law enforcement fanned out across Providence to search for the shooter.

“Hopefully, everyone is safe and praying for peace for those that have lost people,” Gottlieb said before she assessed her team’s game against the Huskies. “And that’s that. It’s more important than basketball. We can all be better.”

Brown University has canceled all remaining classes and exams for the fall semester.

“The past 24 hours really have been unimaginable,” Christina Paxson, university president, wrote in an email to alumni. “It’s a tragedy that no university community is ever ready for.”

The UCLA gymnastics team offered fans a sneak peek of what can be expected during the 2026 season at its annual Meet the Bruins event Saturday.

The Bruins are coming off a runner-up finish at the NCAA championships and a sweep of the Big Ten regular season and conference titles.

Bar routines have been an area of growth for UCLA during the past season, and the team is shaping up to have better depth. The gymnasts have been pushing each other to improve, and UCLA coach Janelle McDonald is pleased with the progress.

UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles, center, fires up teammates during the Meet the Bruins exhibition on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Pauley Pavilion.

(Dylan Petrossian/UCLA Athletics)

“Really excited about where we are at on bars,” McDonald said. ”I feel like it can be a great event for us and just really working on the consistency of the details right now.”

There are skills the Bruins want to clean up and tighten before the first meet of the new season in January, including sharper execution and landings.

“There were a couple of uncharacteristic things that we don’t typically see in practice, people that are really consistent with sticking and having steps,” McDonald said after the Meet the Bruins exhibition.

The seniors say they are focused on adding routines and events, emphasizing learning, growing and pushing themselves in their final year.

“I feel like both Ciena [Alipio] and Maddie [Anyimi] have had that mentality all summer long to really be able to come into the preseason and make a statement. It was great to see them out there in different events and to see them perform so confidently,” McDonald said.

Sophomore Macy McGowan did not perform on floor due to an injury and has been working throughout the offseason, building back each week to get stronger.

Jordan Chiles showed off her Prince themed floor routine for the final time and will replace it with something new during the competition season.

“I am really excited to do this floor routine,” said Chiles, who was a finalist on “Dancing with the Stars” during the offseason. ”We’ve already started and honestly, I’m like, ‘This is not Jordan. I’ve done the cutesy, I’ve done the hip-hop, I’ve done all those things and this is more the passionate, confident last era of being a Bruin.’”

Freshman Ashlee Sullivan stepped onto the Pauley Pavillion floor for the first time and has been adjusting to the transition from elite competition to collegiate gymnastics.

“When I came here, we were already hitting the ground running,” Sullivan said. “Like everyone looked so good. The team looked competition ready. Feeding off of that, everyone … pushes me to be [the] best I can.”

Tiana Sumanasekera, Nola Matthews, Jordis Eichman, Kai Mattei, Ava Callahan and Sullivan joined the roster this season, bringing a wide variety of skills to the UCLA lineup.

The 2026 season begins Jan. 3, when the Bruins will compete against Washington, California and Oregon State.

Morgan Frost scored in overtime and Blake Coleman had a short-handed goal in the Calgary Flames’ 2-1 victory over the Kings on Saturday night.

Dustin Wolf made 20 saves for the surging Flames, who have won eight of their last 12 games, with Wolf winning his last four starts.

Frost finished off a three-on-one break from Jonathan Huberdeau at 1:06 of overtime for his eighth goal of the season, and Calgary took advantage of its reprieve after Anze Kopitar’s apparent winner 33 seconds into the extra session was overturned for a kicking motion following a video review.

Adrian Kempe scored for the Kings, and Darcy Kuemper made 36 saves. The Kings played their 14th game decided in overtime or a shootout out of 21 total one-goal contests this season.

The Kings got off to a strong start with Kempe netting his fourth goal in seven games on a one-timer midway through the first period. He has two goals and five points during a four-game streak.

But the Flames responded with a dominant second period, posting a 17-3 advantage in shots and finally breaking through when Coleman picked off Kevin Fiala’s pass and raced the other way on a breakaway before burying a wrist shot from the slot. It was Coleman’s third shorthanded goal of the season and Calgary’s fifth.

Up Next

Kings: At Dallas on Monday night. Flames: At San José on Tuesday night.

Castres: Palis, Ambadiang, Bottin, Goodhue, Vargas; Popelin, Fernandez; Walcker, Zarantonello, Azar, Maravat, Staniforth, Delaporte (c), Ardron, Papalii.

Replacements: Durand-Pradere, Guerois-Galisson, Corato, Nakarawa, Cope, Doubrere, Herve, Karawalevu.

Edinburgh: Brown, McCann, M Currie, O’Conor, Wells, Scott, Vellacott (c); Venter, Morris, O Blyth-Lafferty, Hunter-Hill, Young, McConnell, Douglas, Dodd.

Replacements: Ashman, Jones, Hill, Boyle, Watson, Shiel, Lang, Goosen.

Referee: Andrea Piardi

Proving yet again that nobody combines excitement and entertainment like these guys, this week the Dodgers made baseball’s most important winter deal.

They acquired Timmy Trumpet.

In real life he’s an Australian impresario who, surprise, plays the trumpet. But in the breathtaking world of ninth-inning baseball, he’s the game’s most popular soundtrack.

It is Timmy Trumpet who plays the chillingly inspiring solo from “Narco” that accompanies closer Edwin Díaz from the bullpen to the mound. For the seven seasons Díaz played for the New York Mets, it was the coolest entrance song in the big leagues, creating the most intimidating scene in any ballpark anywhere.

And now it’s coming to Dodger Stadium, as the Dodgers and Díaz agreed this week to a three-year, $69-million contract that will include Timmy Trumpet rattling the bejeezus out of visiting teams who must be asking, do the Dodgers really have to buy everything?

Was it not enough for them to sign the best reliever in baseball? Did they also have to bring in the best ninth-inning atmosphere in baseball?

Yes, they do, and yes, they did, and if you haven’t witnessed the Edwin Díaz/Timmy Trumpet duet, Google it once and you’ll be hooked.

Upon his signing, the social media of Dodgers fans was filled with trumpet emojis. Even the venerable Dieter Ruehle posted a video of him playing the trumpet solo on the keyboard.

In the pantheon of Dodgers entrance and walk-up songs, this immediately moves to the top of a playlist that has become ingrained in the hearts of fans who have come to associate the brief clips of music with the enduring heroics of their players.

From the late great organist Nancy Bea Hefley playing “Master of the House” for Orel Hershiser … to Kenley Jansen revving up the crowd with “California Love” … there is a rich history of Dodgers being identified by their accompanying music.

This team is no different, with several songs reaching iconic status simply based on the splendid feats that spring from their chords.

One man’s nine best songs, in order of impact.

1. ”Narco” for Edwin Díaz

It is already the best Dodgers song and he hasn’t even shown up yet. Trust me.

Díaz chose it in 2018 when he played for the Seattle Mariners. When that became his 57-save breakout season, his wife advised him to keep it. After being traded to the Mets, he became so loyal to the song, he even asked it to be played in an empty Citi Field during the 2020 pandemic season.

In ensuing seasons the scene went viral, highlighted by an actual performance by Timmy Trumpet last summer. Expect the Dodgers to invite Mr. Trumpet to Chavez Ravine, maybe even for the opening series. Like so many things they have staged during these consecutive championship seasons, it will be an event.

2. ”We Are Young” for Clayton Kershaw

The pitcher is retired, but the song still warrants celebration on an emeritus basis.

Quick question: Has any Dodgers entrance hymn endured as long as this one? Dodgers fans have adult children as old as this song.

Another quick question: When you heard this song for the last time in the final months of this past season, did you surprisingly feel tears?

The perfect anthem for the perfect pitcher.

3. ”Bailalo Rocky” for Roki Sasaki

It’s not really a song, it’s a chant, bailalorocky, bailalorocky, bailalorocky with the “Rocky” sounding like, “Roki.”

It was chosen for the famously unhip Sasaki by Miguel Rojas in spring training and, by the time the kid pitcher returned from the disabled list to save playoff games, the fans were chanting it and dancing to it like few celebration songs in Chavez Ravine history.

“You can see it in Dodger Stadium … it was amazing,” Rojas told reporters before the World Series. “So electric, dancing on the bleachers in left-center field … I’m hoping everybody starts dancing to that song when Roki comes to pitch.”

4. ”Feeling Good” for Shohei Ohtani

Thank you, Michael Bublé, for singing what everybody is thinking every time Ohtani comes to the plate.

And thank you, Mamiko Tanaka, for making it happen.

“The coach of the Dodgers was nice enough to introduce me to Shohei, and I said to him, ‘Why did you choose my song?’” Bublé explained in an interview on “The Today Show.” “And very quickly he just turned to his wife … and it was his wife that chose it.”

Bublé added, “I’ll take it!”

He and about 4 million others.

5. ”Baila Conmigo” for Freddie Freeman

It played before Freeman’s game-winning grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.

It played before Freeman’s game-winning home run in the 18th inning of Game 3 of this year’s World Series.

The horn solo at the beginning of this catchy tune has come to represent two words to Dodgers fans who now bounce to its beat.

Greatness coming.

6. “La Leche Materna” for Kiké Hernandez

Just like Hernandez’s Dodgers contributions, this tune saves its best for last.

The final 30 seconds of the song sound like, “Kiké, Kiké, Kiké” over and over again.

It’s weird, but also as powerfully effective as, say, a double play fly ball to end a World Series game.

7. A rotation of songs for Mookie Betts

Betts has walked out to a varied playlist, but his selections are included here because he can boast of one walk-up tune unmatched in baseball history.

He steps to the plate accompanied by an unreleased song written by Snoop Dogg just for him.

8. ”Amen” for Max Muncy

The chorus of this country song that accompanies Muncy to the plate appropriately begins, “Somebody say a prayer for me … ”

Considering all of his injury issues during his eight-year Dodgers career, fans have heeded that call.

Considering he holds the Dodgers record with 16 career postseason homers, those prayers have been answered.

9. ”Squabble Up” for Will Smith

His current Kendrick Lamar song is cool, but Smith is on this list in honor of a previous walk-up song that endeared him to Dodgers fans as that rare player who can laugh at himself.

This Will Smith once walked up to the theme from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to join Dutch giants Ajax on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The Japan international is scheduled to undergo a medical on Tuesday.

BBC Sport revealed in July that Tomiyasu and Arsenal had reached a mutual agreement to terminate the versatile defender’s contract a year early, making him a free agent.

Arsenal signed defenders Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera in the summer, meaning Tomiyasu’s first team opportunities would be limited.

The 27-year-old has been completing a rehabilitation programme following knee surgery in February, but is now back training and poised to restart his career in Amsterdam, provided he passes a medical.

Sources have indicated his agreement with Ajax does not include an extension option.

Tomiyasu, who joined Arsenal from Bologna in 2021, made 84 appearances for the Gunners. His final game for the club was in October 2024 in a 3-1 win over Southampton.

Ajax are currently fourth In the Eredivisie.

Sometimes it can be difficult when a high school coach also has his son on the team, but then there are those unforgettable moments that make every second spent together magical. Such a moment happened on Friday night for Oak Park basketball coach Aaron Shaw and his son, sophomore guard Grant Shaw.

Grant made a three-pointer from beyond the top of the key as the buzzer sounded to give host Oak Park a 54-51 win over rival Agoura.

Then, for some unknown reason at the time, Grant ran in the opposite direction, followed by his teammates and delirious Oak Park fans. There were so many people celebrating he ended up pushed into the gym foyer.

Watching from the bench was his father, who didn’t understand why his son was headed out of the gym. “The coaches were asking, ‘Where is he going?’” he said.

It turns out the surge of people celebrating forced Grant into the foyer. His father reminded him afterward to perhaps next time stay in the gym.

But make no mistake about, Aaron has won two Southern Section titles as a coach, and this moment ranks up among the best.

“Proud dad moment,” he said.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Great Britain’s Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale claimed gold in the mixed team event at the Snowboard Cross World Cup in Cervinia, Italy.

Nightingale, 24, finished third in the men’s run to put the British team in a strong position before Bankes, 30, produced a stunning run on her return from injury to win the women’s race and clinch gold for the team.

Austria claimed silver ahead of France, who won bronze.

Bankes won the Crystal Globe as overall winner in 2021-22 and 2022-23 but sustained a broken collarbone in April as she chased a third individual Snowboard Cross World Cup title in four years.

She was ruled out of the final races of last season at Mont Sainte Anne, Canada and needed two rounds of surgery to correct the injury, missing all of pre-season.

“To see all the hard work from this summer’s training paying off from Huw as well as this being Charlotte’s first race back since injury, this was quite the victory,” said GB Snowsport head coach Pat Sharples.

Bankes was knocked out of the women’s event at the quarter-finals stage on Saturday.

Sunday’s victory alongside Nightingale marks the pair’s third World Cup podium in the mixed team event – two golds and one silver – and sits alongside the gold medal they won at the 2023 World Championships.