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Perhaps Jarred Vanderbilt and his ability to defend can help the Lakers and their reeling defense.

Perhaps Vanderbilt can return to the rotation to help the Lakers’ defensive woes while guard Austin Reaves is out for approximately a week because of a mild left calf strain.

And perhaps Vanderbilt and the Lakers can get some immediate results for shoring up their defensive shortcomings when they face the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.

The 6-foot-8 Vanderbilt is hopeful that his opportunity will come against the Suns and he turns that into a positive for the Lakers.

“Oh, yeah, I’m pretty eager,” he said after practice Saturday. “I mean, obviously, I think a lot of the stuff we lack, I think I can help provide on that end.”

In the last 10 games, Vanderbilt had only a three-minute stint against the Philadelphia 76ers because Jake LaRavia took a shot to the face that loosened a tooth.

The return of LeBron James and Vanderbilt’s offensive deficiencies left him out of the rotation. During much of that time the Lakers were winning, which meant Vanderbilt spent time on the bench.

In 15 games, Vanderbilt is three for 10 (26.6%) from three-point range. He was asked how he has been handling things.

“Good,” Vanderbilt said. “Controlling what I can control. Keep showing up to work, doing my part, supporting the team.”

Vanderbilt was asked if coach JJ Redick or any assistants have spoken to him about his role.

“Kind of here and there, I guess,” Vanderbilt said.

Vanderbilt was seen after practice Saturday working with an assistant coach on his shooting, just like he did after practice Friday and like he has done while not playing.

Redick said Reaves, who played against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, wasn’t sure when the calf became an issue, and “we’re obviously gonna be cautious with it.”

“It’s a mild strain, Grade 1, and he’ll be out for a week,” Redick said, adding, “I would venture to say every player is a little bit different, but players now are becoming more cautious — to use that word again — more cautious when they get those diagnosis with the calf. Everything looks clean. It’s not in the deep part.”

The Lakers have looked at the last 10 games during the film sessions as a barometer for their defensive problems. But in reality, the Lakers have not been very good on defense all season while producing a 17-7 record because of their stellar offense.

“It’s been a trending thing even when we was winning, so I think like you said, the defense still wasn’t there, but we was just outscoring everybody,” Vanderbilt said. “So, I think obviously during the loss, it’s an appropriate time to address certain things just so it won’t keep lingering and get worse.”

The Lakers are 18th in the NBA in points given up (116.8), 22nd in opponents’ field-goal percentage (48.1%) and 27th in opponents’ three-point shooting (38.2%).

They will face a Suns team that defeated them Dec. 1 at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers were unable to stop Collin Gillesipie, who had 28 points and was eight for 14 from three-point range, and Dillon Brooks, who had 33 points.

It hasn’t gotten better in the ensuing days. The Spurs loss was the Lakers’ third in the last five games.

“Nobody likes to go watch film after you get your ass kicked,” guard Marcus Smart said. “It’s tough because the film never lies. And it exposed us a lot, which we already knew. We were just winning a lot of games. So it was mitigated that way, but it was straight to it: We have to be able to guard.

“The scouting report against us is we’re not guarding people. And if we want to be great in this league and do what we’re trying to do, you have to be able to guard, especially in the West. These guys are no joke, and they’re coming. And especially [if] you got the Lakers across your jersey. They’re definitely coming with everything they have. So you can’t be expecting any surprises. And that’s what it was. It wasn’t no sugarcoating anything. It was, ‘This is what we got to do.’ We’ve been asked. Let’s fix it.”

Paul Lim became the oldest player to win a match at the PDC World Championship as the 71-year-old claimed a stunning victory over Jeffrey de Graaf.

Backed by a partisan crowd at the Alexandra Palace, the Singapore veteran claimed a 3-1 success over the Dutch-born Swede.

He beat a record held by Northern Irishman John MaGowan, who was 67 when he knocked out Chris Mason in the first round of the tournament in December 2008.

“A moment like this has kept me going for all these years,” said Lim.

“The standard of play nowadays is not like how it was before. This tournament is the Super Bowl of darts so I would say this is a good moment.”

Lim will face Luke Humphries in the second round after the 2024 world champion progressed with a 3-1 win over Ted Evetts in his opening match later on Saturday evening.

Humphries had cruised into a 2-0 lead against his fellow Englishman before Evetts pinched a set back.

However, 30-year-old Humphries regained his intensity and clinically finished out the contest with an average of 98.58, throwing eight 180s.

Lim, who thew the first world championship nine-darter at the BDO event at Lakeside in 1990, beat Humphries when the pair last met at the Ally Pally five years ago.

On meeting again, Humphries told Sky Sports: “He’s amazing, he’s a legend. The crowd are going to be against me so it’s going to be a tough game.”

Lim said: “I hope on a given day it can happen again. I never give up. He is good but he can be beaten.”

The crowd roared on Lim, who is 72 next month, when he won the first set against De Graaf befofe his opponent levelled the match.

Lim went ahead again after a scrappy third set as De Graaf wilted while the experienced ‘Singapore Slinger’ held his nerve in a tense fourth, sealing victory with an average of 86.52.

Five-time world championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle said Lim was able to “take his chances” against De Graaf to secure an “incredible” win.

“If you have the desire, the passion but most of all the ability humans can achieve amazing things – and that was amazing,” said Mardle on Sky.

De Graaf was six years old when Lim made his PDC debut 29 years ago.

Elsewhere, Wessel Nijman of the Netherlands eased to a 3-0 win over Czech Karel Sedlacek while Germany’s Gabriel Clemens beat American Alex Spellman by the same scoreline.

NEWARK, N.J. — Stefan Noesen, Paul Cotter and Cody Glass each scored to help the New Jersey Devils beat the Ducks 4-1 on Saturday and snap a five-game home losing streak.

New Jersey started the season 9-0-1 on its home ice before losing five straight at the Prudential Center. The Devils’ third line of Cotter, Juho Lammikko and Noesen combined for five points (two goals, three assists).

Troy Terry scored his 10th goal for the Ducks and third in as many games on a breakaway in the first period on an assist from Leo Carlsson for a 1-0 lead. Noesen tied it later in the period with his first goal in 22 games.

Cotter scored in his third straight game, giving New Jersey a 2-1 lead at the 5:52 mark of the second period, assisted by Lammikko and Noesen.
Glass increased the lead to 3-1 late in the period with assists from from Ondrej Palat and Colton White. Connor Brown scored on an empty net late in the game for his seventh goal.

Jake Allen stopped 30 shots for New Jersey for his first win since Nov. 28. Allen had lost three straight.

Lukas Dostal had 18 saves for the Ducks, who failed to convert on four power-play opportunities.

The Devils were without Timo Meier, their top goal-scorer who missed his second straight game because of a family health matter. “We will give him all the time he needs,” coach Sheldon Keefe said.

The Ducks were playing their third game in five nights as part of a five-game road trip.

Up next

Ducks: Visit the New York Rangers on Monday night. Devils: Host Vancouver on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah came off the bench to assist the second of Hugo Ekitike’s double as Liverpool returned to winning ways.

Mohamed Salah set up a goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton as he returned to action after an explosive outburst cast doubt over his future at the Premier League champions.

The Egypt forward, the subject of intense scrutiny in the build-up to the game at Anfield, came off the substitutes’ bench to huge cheers in the 26th minute on Saturday, replacing injured defender Joe Gomez.

The home team, whose title defence has collapsed after a shocking run of results, were leading 1-0 at the time, with France forward Hugo Ekitike on the scoresheet after just 46 seconds.

Brighton squandered a number of opportunities to level, and Ekitike scored again with half an hour to go to give Liverpool breathing space.

Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left on the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds – the third match in a row that he had been named among the replacements.

He also said that he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot.

Salah was omitted from the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0, posting a picture on social media of himself alone in the gym.

Slot said at Friday’s pre-match news conference that he would speak to the forward later in the day, adding, “I have no reasons [in] not wanting him to stay.”

Salah not made to wait long for substitute role to delight of Liverpool faithful

There was feverish speculation in the build-up to Saturday’s match about what role Salah would play, with the winger named on the bench.

Liverpool, who had won just two of 10 Premier League matches before the Brighton game, made a lightning start, taking the lead in the first minute when Joe Gomez set up Ekitike, who thumped the ball past Bart Verbruggen.

Salah entered the fray about 20 minutes before half-time when Gomez was withdrawn.

Brighton’s Diego Gomez squandered a good chance to level early in the second half, striking the ball against the outside of a post, and Brajan Gruda also went close as the home crowd chanted Salah’s name.

Liverpool doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Ekitike scored his second, nodding home Salah’s corner.

Salah himself went close in stoppage time after he was set up by Federico Chiesa, but he blazed over.

The win lifts Slot’s men to sixth in the table ahead of the later kickoffs on Saturday, easing the pressure on the beleaguered manager.

Salah departure from Liverpool for AFCON or for good?

Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, is about to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt go in the competition in Morocco, with the final taking place on January 18.

The forward, who has been linked with a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, had invited his family to the Brighton game as speculation swirled over his future.

“I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup,” he told reporters last week. “I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”

Salah, third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts with 250 goals, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown during his spell on Merseyside.

He scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title, but has managed just four league goals this season.

The seemingly unlikely comeback at the end of regulation came after a dramatic second-half that had begun with Scotstown leading 0-6 to 0-1.

Kilcoo were playing into the considerable wind in the first half with the conditions hampering their attacking efforts.

Despite a sizeable edge in possession through the opening period, there were just five minutes until the break before they registered their sole score of the first half.

The point was provided by Eugene Branagan, but even the wavering trajectory of the ball as it bisected the posts was evidence of the difficulties endured by the Down side’s players when shooting into the swirling breeze.

By that stage, Beggan had already kicked the first pair of two-pointers among his tally and there seemed only one winner when his side’s lead was stretched to eight midway through the second half.

But, having struggled to find their range with the wind at their backs in the early stages of the second half, Kilcoo belatedly mastered the conditions to reel Scotstown in.

Devlin finally got his side off the mark in the second half with a two-pointer 13 minutes after the restart, with the forward adding a further three points as the Down champions cut the deficit to only a point in the closing stages.

A drilled effort from Kieran Hughes was matched by Tommy Mallen from just inside the arc, before Beggan stepped up with another two-pointer to give his side that seemingly crucial three-point cushion heading into injury time.

But his Kilcoo counterpart Niall Kane answered in kind with the clock already well in the red.

Rather than mere consolation, Kilcoo regained possession with the three minutes of indicated added time already up and Callum Rogers gathered and spun brilliantly to send the game into extra time.

Rather than be flattened by letting the long-sought title slip from their grasp, Scotstown lifted themselves from the floor in extra-time with Beggan kicking two frees and a 45, in addition to three points from Conor McCarthy, to end their 36-year wait.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

CITY SECTION

AMIT 56, Lakeview Charter 16

Angelou 62, Jefferson 57

Annenberg 47, Aspire Ollin 20

Bernstein 91, Belmont 9

Bravo 65, Franklin 55

Canoga Park 62, Panorama 28

Contreras 49, Roybal 48

Crenshaw 50, LA Jordan 48

Diego Rivera 53, Santee 50

Downtown Magnets 61, Bell 46

Foshay 83, Stella 31

Fulton 62, Lake Balboa College 43

Hawkins 66, Harbor Teacher 61

Huntington Park 42, Garfield 31

LACES 54, LA Hamilton 49

Los Angeles 51, West Adams 44

LA Marshall 65, Eagle Rock 51

LA Roosevelt 60, South Gate 27

LA Wilson 66, Lincoln 61

MSCP 86, Middle College 49

Narbonne 72, Wilmington Banning 29

North Hollywood 70, Arleta 53

Orthopaedic 55, Central City Value 42

Port of Los Angeles 87, Dymally 40

RFK Community 77, Hollywood 54

San Pedro 74, Gardena 47

Sherman Oaks CES 100, Elizabeth 47

Sotomayor 78, CNDLC 40

South East 63, Legacy 60

Stern 72, Alliance Ouchi 40

Sun Valley Poly 86, Chavez 17

Sylmar 70, Granada Hills Kennedy 69

USC-MAE 54, Animo Bunche 14

Venice 60, Fairfax 50

Verdugo Hills 81, Monroe 50

View Park 59, Locke 29

Washington 83, Dorsey 42

Westchester 76, LA University 44

Wiseburn Da Vinci 70, Rancho Dominguez 67

WISH Academy 84, MSAR 32

SOUTHERN SECTION

Adelanto 60, Eisenhower 58

Alta Loma 64, Jurupa Valley 39

Apple Valley 66, Victor Valley 58

Arcadia 82, Burbank 52

Ayala 57, Northwood 45

Baldwin Park 53, El Monte 33

Big Bear 74, San Gorgonio 49

Brea Olinda 70, La Puente 23

California Lutheran 67, Hawthorne 39

CAMS 37, New Roads 23

Cantwell Sacred Heart 71, Bosco Tech 45

Cerritos 78, La Palma Kennedy 75

Chadwick 75, CSDR 49

Chaminade 76, Ventura 45

Charter Oak 70, San Dimas 66

Citrus Hill 75, Arroyo Valley 43

Citrus Valley 62, Indio 25

Claremont 67, Serra Vista 52

Coastal Christian 75, Cuyama Valley 15

Corona Centennial 88, Capistrano Valley Christian 42

Corona Santiago 73, Liberty 42

Crescenta Valley 75, Hoover 45

Crossroads 58, Santa Monica 53

Diamond Bar 54, La Sierra 24

Don Lugo 56, Kaiser 50

Dos Pueblos 54, Capistrano Valley 52

Eastside 44, Highland 36

Edgewood 51, Montebello 45

El Modena 67, Fullerton 58

El Segundo 65, Los Amigos 57

Elsinore 84, Hemet 63

El Toro 62, Portola 58

Estancia 71, Costa Mesa 55

Etiwanda 63, Rancho Verde 57

Fountain Valley 70, Temescal Canyon 41

Garden Grove Pacifica 52, Saddleback 28

Garden Grove Santiago 38, Century 22

Glendora 60, La Canada 55

Glenn 58, Southlands Christian 44

Grace 50, Laguna Blanca 44

Heritage Christian 45, Anaheim Canyon 42

Hesperia Christian 74, Cornerstone Christian 42

Hillcrest 54, Moreno Valley 47

Huntington Beach 74, Laguna Beach 52

Indian Springs 63, Redlands 50

Keppel 59, Gabrielino 47

Knight 60, Quartz Hill 40

Lakeside 70, Westminster 35

La Mirada 94, Rancho Cucamonga 61

Littlerock 46, Lancaster 30

Long Beach Poly 69, Hesperia 45

Long Beach Wilson 54, Long Beach Cabrillo 48

Maricopa 58, Alpaugh 20

Mater Dei 73, San Clemente 71

Mesrobian 61, Downey Calvary Chapel 28

Mission Viejo 58, Great Oak 51

Norte Vista 78, La Serna 61

Oak Hills 82, Norco 56

Ontario 46, Arroyo 45

Ontario Christian 78, Bishop Amat 69

Oxford Academy 61, Paramount 50

Palmdale 68, Antelope Valley 46

Palm Desert 67, Heritage 44

Pasadena 81, Burbank Burroughs 21

Pioneer 70, Santa Fe 58

Placentia Valencia 73, Marina 49

Redlands East Valley 62, Chaparral 61

Riverside King 81, Riverside North 43

Riverside Prep 53, Sultana 45

Rosemead 54, Bellflower 52

Rowland 59, Nogales 39

Rubidoux 68, Oxnard Pacifica 38

San Bernardino 99, Woodcrest Christian 76

San Jacinto 63, Santa Rosa Academy 44

Santa Ana Foothill 58, Tustin 44

Santa Clara 65, Cate 45

Santa Maria St. Joseph 60, Crespi 51

Santa Margarita 92, Village Christian 85

Servite 73, Western 43

Silver Valley 80, University Prep 51

St. Francis 68, La Salle 54

St. Margaret’s 91, Santa Ana 55

Summit Leadership 48, ACE 43

Thacher 67, Orcutt Academy 40

Valencia 80, Castaic 35

Valley View 63, Savanna 56

Vasquez 67, St. Monica Academy 35

Vista del Lago 60, Desert Hot Springs 41

Webb 58, Azusa 29

Whittier Christian 51, South Hills 32

Windward 66, Verbum Dei 43

Wiseburn Da Vinci 70, Rancho Dominguez 67

INTERSECTIONAL

Archbishop Riordan 89, Inglewood 84

Cupertino Homestead 67, Artesia 60

Desert Mirage 50, Borrego Springs 41

Francis Parker 66, Eastvale Roosevelt 59

Jurupa Hills 60, Oceanside El Camino 39

Layton (UT) Layton Christian Academy 43, JSerra 33

Loyola 64, Stockton St. Mary’s 46

Meridian (ID) Owyhee 53, Damen 47

Miami (FL) Riviera Prep 74, Crean Lutheran 71

Monrovia 84, Rise Kohyang 23

Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 78, Redmond (WA) 52

Potomac (MD) Bullis 70, Redondo Union 62

Torres 63, Garey 59

GIRLS

CITY SECTION

Arleta 39, North Hollywood 17

Aspire Ollin 23, Annenberg 21

Bernstein 56, Belmont 12

Carson 70, Rancho Dominguez 11

Central City Value 36, Orthopaedic 8

Crenshaw 40, LA Jordan 15

Diego Rivera 42, Santee 39

Dominguez 46, Elizabeth 17

Eagle Rock 53, LA Marshall 27

Franklin 34, Bravo 25

Garfield 71, Huntington Park 24

Granada Hills Kennedy 70, Sylmar 22

Harbor Teacher 66, Hawkins 30

King/Drew 112, GALA 16

LA Hamilton 73, LACES 33

Lakeview Charter 41, AMIT 18

Lincoln 33, LA Wilson 21

MSCP 51, Middle College 19

Panorama 54, Canoga Park 16

Port of Los Angeles 33, Dymally 19

RFK Community 53, Hollywood 43

San Pedro 44, Gardena 43

Sotomayor 43, CNDLC 27

South Gate 40, LA Roosevelt 34

Stern 29, Alliance Ouchi 8

USC-MAE 39, Animo Bunche 14

Venice 99, Fairfax 35

Verdugo Hills 82, Monroe 4

Washington 65, Dorsey 7

West Adams 33, Los Angeles 22

WISH Academy 37, MSAR 18

SOUTHERN SECTION

Agoura 29, San Marino 26

Alemany 59, Crossroads 46

Aliso Niguel 62, Woodbridge 40

Apple Valley 42, Hillcrest 31

Arcadia 52, Burbank 44

Baldwin Park 39, Edgewood 32

Beaumont 49, San Jacinto 42

Bethel Christian 32, NSLA 14

Bishop Amat 55, Colony 44

Burbank Burroughs 60, Pasadena 20

Calvary Baptist 63, Southlands Christian 14

Canyon Country Canyon 79, Moorpark 22

Capistrano Valley Christian 26, Avalon 22

Carpinteria 55, Del Sol 41

Carter 52, Redlands East Valley 23

Cerritos Valley Christian 43, La Mirada 19

Chadwick 44, Westridge 4

Chino 69, Rio Hondo Prep 54

CIMSA 43, AAE 32

Citrus Valley 43, Kaiser 39

Compton 67, Inglewood 38

Compton Centennial 55, Compton Early College 2

Corona 46, Ayala 35

Crescenta Valley 66, Keppel 44

El Toro 57, Placentia Valencia 51

Esperanza 73, Los Alamitos 49

Fillmore 53, Nordhoff 23

Gahr 39, Patriot 32

Garey 40, Workman 37

Glendora 58, Canyon Springs 18

Hart 59, Golden Valley 25

Heritage 65, Great Oak 23

Holy Martyrs Armenian 72, ISLA 15

Huntington Beach 45, Laguna Beach 32

Jurupa Valley 35, La Habra 30

Lancaster Baptist 50, Immanuel Christian 11

La Quinta 41, Valley View 36

La Salle 49, Orange Lutheran 26

La Sierra 31, Perris 21

Laton 30, Coast Union 20

Long Beach Jordan 48, Lakewood 40

Long Beach Wilson 52, Long Beach Cabrillo 3

Marlborough 67, Cerritos 42

Marymount 44, Mayfield 16

Mary Star of the Sea 26, St. Paul 25

Murrieta Mesa 53, Tahquitz 22

Newport Harbor 56, Irvine 50

Norco 33, Miller 29

Ontario 40, Fontana 33

Orcutt Academy 66, Westlake 47

Palm Desert 59, Coachella Valley 37

Palm Springs 50, Desert Hot Springs 36

Portola 51, San Juan Hills 45

Ramona Convent 35, Excelsior Charter 34

Rancho Cucamonga 52, Sonora 39

Redlands 47, Indian Springs 40

Rialto 51, Rosary Academy 42

Royal 39, Santa Barbara 30

Samueli Academy 50, Glenn 27

San Bernardino 43, Covina 38

San Gabriel 27, Arroyo 25

San Jacinto Leadership Academy 41, California Military Institute 23

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 65, California Lutheran 24

Saugus 54, West Ranch 27

Silver Valley 51, University Prep 27

St. Genevieve 39, AGBU 17

St. Margaret’s 53, Marina 28

St. Monica 68, Vistamar 25

St. Monica Academy 34, Vasquez 20

Sunny Hills 33, Hesperia 25

Temescal Canyon 46, Eisenhower 26

Tesoro 50, Anaheim 38

Trabuco Hills 76, Ocean View 10

Twentynine Palms 48, Xavier Prep 42

Upland 52, Rancho Verde 25

Valencia 81, Castaic 19

Village Christian 58, Oaks Christian 56

Vista del Lago 56, Rubidoux 16

West Covina 35, Immaculate Heart 30

Western Christian 33, Charter Oak 19

Whitney 53, Savanna 49

Whittier Christian 61, California 23

Woodcrest Christian 50, Sherman Indian 29

Yorba Linda 57, Pilibos 34

Yucaipa 58, South Pasadena 55

INTERSECTIONAL

Clovis West 77, Mira Costa 52

Crean Lutheran 39, Waco (TX) Midway 33

Desert Mirage 32, Borrego Springs 12

Dominguez 46, Cudahy Elizabeth 17

Francis Parker 57, Windward 48

Granada Hills 60, Highland 55

Monrovia 52, Rise Kohyang 7

Who: Alaves vs Real Madrid
What: Spain’s La Liga
Where: Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria, Spain
When: Sunday, December 14, at 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.

Real Madrid will hope to ease the pressure on Xabi Alonso when they visit Alaves on Sunday, but the record La Liga winners will know that one more defeat could spell the end of the short-lived tenure of their beleaguered manager.

In a welcome show of solidarity, Los Blancos midfielder Jude Bellingham said on Wednesday, after their defeat by Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, that the players were behind Alonso and no one was “downing tools”.

More welcome news for the Madrid-based club is that Kylian Mbappe is back in contention for Sunday’s game after missing out against City due to injury.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at what is surely a must-not-lose for Alonso, but – with Barcelona seven points clear – may well be a must-win.

How much pressure is mounting on Real Madrid coach Alonso?

Alonso, whom Spanish media reported was set for the sack if Madrid lost against City, remains at the helm despite a 2-1 defeat at a frustrated, whistling Bernabeu.

The hope is that the match, despite the outcome, can be a turning point for a team with just two wins in their last eight games across all competitions.

Alonso’s players rallied around him, with not only Bellingham offering public messages of support after the game and even during it, as goalscorer Rodrygo Goes ran over to hug his manager.

“The only thing we can do is change our attitude … and [against City] we saw a change,” said defender Raul Asencio.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was another Madrid player who backed the coach, and believes the situation will be eased when results turn.

“All of us here support the coach with all our heart, and by winning on Sunday, we will change this dynamic,” said Courtois.

What is Alonso’s take on Real Madrid’s struggles?

After Madrid’s improved display against City, it did not make sense for President Florentino Perez to let the axe fall.

It would be easy to make that call the next time the team stumbles – and if it really is a turning point, and that doesn’t happen, that would work for him too. Particularly given the lack of an obvious replacement.

Alonso, meanwhile, said he hoped Madrid’s current woes could make the team stronger.

“We are having difficulties, but we can grow,” he said. “If we can get past these tough times, change the dynamic, maybe in a few weeks we’ll look back and think ‘we went through a lot, but it made us stronger.’”

On feeling the criticism and doubts, Alonso said he is not surprised.

“You have to live with it, and when you’re the coach of Real Madrid, you have to be prepared to face it bravely, responsibly and self-critically, knowing that things can change,” the former Madrid midfielder said. “Despite the result, I’ve seen positive things individually and collectively. Other things haven’t gone so well, but we’re still in it.”

What happened in Real Madrid’s last La Liga game?

Los Blancos went into meltdown in their last outing in the Spanish top flight as two players saw red in the 2-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo.

Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia were sent off, and are suspended as a result for the trip to Alaves.

📋✅ Our squad for the match!
🆚 @Alaves pic.twitter.com/eOmzjSRcG7

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 13, 2025

Are there any glimmers of hope for Real Madrid?

One player they seem to have recovered, not only from injury but also his form, is winger Rodrygo, as he ended his dismal run against City.

After 32 games without finding the net, the Brazilian finished superbly to send his team ahead.

Beyond that, he was back to his electric best, transformed from the diminished figure seen in recent months.

“It’s one of today’s good pieces of news to see him with that individual quality, that flair, and he also scored, which was important for him,” said Alonso.

What is the latest on Vinicius Junior’s Real fallout?

On the other flank, Rodrygo’s compatriot Vinicius Junior offered a less convincing display.

The winger’s anger at Alonso when withdrawn in the Clasico in October was a flashpoint which played its part in Madrid’s season flying off the rails.

Since that moment, Spanish media have reported a growing rift between the players and the coach, suggesting various complaints about his selection decisions and the tactical work they have to do.

It appears to be healing, with the support Alonso was offered, although whether Madrid’s stars retain the work ethic they displayed in a glamourous European tie on a wintry Sunday night at Alaves’s Mendizorroza stadium will be a good barometer.

How has the season gone so wrong for Real Madrid?

Alonso looked to be off to a good start to his career at Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe scoring at will and his team winning its first seven games of the season. Even a loss to Atletico Madrid was partially forgotten after a victory over Barcelona.

Then something went wrong. A loss at Liverpool in the Champions League last month sent the team into a nosedive. Losing at Anfield is acceptable for any club; three consecutive draws to Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona in La Liga set off the alarm bells at a Madrid that considers itself the best in the world.

But worse was to come: the humiliating 2-0 defeat by Celta Vigo followed by the 2-1 loss to Pep Guardiola’s City. Both of those losses came in front of some disgruntled fans, who jeered the team at Bernabeu.

Now all bets are off on Alonso’s future just months after he left Bayer Leverkusen following his exceptional job at the German club that culminated in the Bundesliga title in 2024.

How have Alaves faired this season?

Alaves is strong at home with only two losses in eight games in Vitoria this season, including a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad last round.

They opened their campaign with just three wins in 10. Their recent run of four wins in seven has seen them climb to midtable, with half an eye on European qualification, although the other four matches in that run were all defeats.

What happened the last time Real Madrid played Alaves?

Real were 1-0 winners when the sides met in La Liga at Alves on April 13. Eduardo Camavinga scored the only goal after 34 minutes of a game that saw Kylian Mbappe shown a red after 38 minutes.

The home side were also reduced to 10 men when Manu Sanchez was sent off in the 72nd minute.

Head-to-head

This is the 29th meeting between the sides, with Real Madrid winning 23 of the encounters, while Alaves have claimed victory on only three occasions.

Alaves team news

Nikola Maras and Facundo Garces will once again be absent due to injury and suspension, respectively

Jon Guridi has had a knee problem but will be assessed before the match.

Real Madrid team news

Alonso said Kylian Mbappe is fit to play on Sunday after the forward missed the Champions League defeat by Manchester City.

“We’ve got Kylian back, he’s ready to play, and we’ll see and decide [if he starts], that’s good news obviously,” Alonso said on Saturday.

Real Madrid are without several injured players for the game in Vitoria, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga.

Garcia, Carreras and Endrick are also suspended. Defender Dean Huijsen is likely to return.

“Evidently, despite the players we’ve got out, we have strong enough players and a strong enough team,” Alonso added.

Alaves predicted starting lineup:

Sivera; Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Parada; Guevara; Calebe, Ibanez, Suarez, Rebbach; Boye

Real Madrid predicted starting lineup:

Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Huijsen, Asencio; Guler, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius

The return of Philip Rivers is becoming a dadgum reality.

The Indianapolis Colts have added the 44-year-old quarterback to their active roster and plan to start him in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, according to multiple reports.

Rivers, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and Hall of Fame semifinalist, has not played since calling it a career after the 2020 season. The father of 10 — who is also a grandfather — had been coaching football at St. Michael Catholic High in Fairhope, Ala., where his son is a four-star quarterback recruit.

The Colts came calling after starter Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon last Sunday and rookie backup Riley Leonard sustained an undisclosed knee injury. Leonard was a full participant in practice all week and did not have an injury designation Friday, indicating he will be available to play. But Rivers is set to start for a Colts team jockeying with the Rams for the top seed in the NFC.

In deciding to add Rivers to their active roster, the Colts will reset the quarterback’s Hall of Fame eligibility clock because the Chargers legend has to have been retired for at least five years to be considered. Rivers made it clear this week that that’s not a concern.

“It’s a real honor to be mentioned with those other 25 guys, certainly,” Rivers said of being named a semifinalist. “But I’m not holding my breath on that. I hadn’t been counting down the years. With all respect to the Hall, if one day I can be part of that group, it will be special, no question about it. But the extension of that timeline, if that comes to be, was not a factor in my thinking.”

Jamaica won the inaugural 2024 Horizon series 2-1, which enabled them to leapfrog England and go third in the world rankings.

The 2025 series was due to consist of four fixtures – two in Jamaica in early December and two in England – but the matches in Kingston were cancelled following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Members of the Jamaica team helped in the relief effort, handing out care packages, and have been unable to train as a whole squad.

England Netball will donate £1 from every Horizon Series ticket sold to Netball Jamaica’s chosen charity, World Central Kitchen, and has also announced fans will be able to contribute to the British Red Cross’ Disaster Fund.

But with less than a year to go until the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Horizon Series provides crucial game time for both nations.

They will meet again for a second match on Sunday at 14:00 GMT with the action available to watch on BBC iPlayer and on the BBC Sport website.

As if Simi Valley coach Jim Benkert doesn’t have enough things to do, he’s taken on the task of putting on the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame high school all-star games Dec. 20 at Simi Valley High.

At 4 p.m. there will be a flag football game featuring players from the San Gabriel Chapter against the Coastal Valley Chapter. At 7, players from Ventura County will take on Los Angeles County in an 11-man game.

Agoura’s Dustin Croick is coaching the West team that includes his outstanding quarterback, Gavin Gray. Taft’s Thomas Randolph is coaching the East team that has a strong group of quarterbacks, including Michael Wynn Jr. of St. Genevieve.

Simi Valley High will be the site for all-star football games on Dec. 20.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

Tickets are $10 and will help pay for the growing costs of all-star games, from uniforms to insurance.

Benkert, one of the winningest coaches in state history with more than 300 victories, said he’s determined to make it work.

“We’re trying to keep all-star games alive,” he said. “If we don’t do it, there’s nothing.”

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

Glengouly won Saturday’s big race at Cheltenham, which was run in support of a charitable initiative created by BBC commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy.

The Hunt Family Fund was set up after John’s wife, Carol, and their daughters Hannah and Louise were murdered at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire in July 2024.

Saturday’s December Gold Cup carried the name of the fund, which will support causes that help and inspire young women.

The 33-1 outsider Glengouly gave trainer Faye Bramley the biggest victory of her career.

John Hunt commentated on the race for BBC Radio 5 Live, before presenting the prizes in the winners’ enclosure with Amy.

“We share many phrases together, and one of them is that in our situation you have to go through the uncomfortable to become more comfortable,” he said.

Glengouly was ridden to victory by champion jockey Sean Bowen for Bramley, who is based at a yard owned by former champion AP McCoy.

Bramley took over training of the winner, who finished down the field in this year’s Grand National, from champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins in May, and this was the horse’s first win in three years

Vincenzo (7-2) was one and a half lengths back in second, with 11-4 favourite Jagwar third.

“It’s brilliant to win a race named after John’s family,” said Bowen as the winning horse returned to the strains of It’s All About You by McFly – Amy Hunt’s favourite band.

Step into the Dodgers’ team store, turn to the right, and you’ll be staring at Shohei Ohtani.

Not in person, of course. But amid all the jerseys and caps and T-shirts, there is a commercial playing on a loop, with Ohtani waving his fingers through his hair and winking as he displays the product he is endorsing: the top-selling skin serum in Japan.

“Take care of your skin,” the narrator says. “Live life to the fullest.”

Life is good at Dodger Stadium. In the store at the top of the park, you can buy a bottle of skin serum that retails for $118, or World Series championship gear including T-shirts and caps for $54 and up, hoodies for $110 and up, and cool jackets for as much as $382.

If you’re a fan of any team besides the Dodgers, you might despise all the money they spend on players. On Friday after the Dodgers introduced their latest All-Star, closer Edwin Díaz, I asked general manager Brandon Gomes if they really could buy whatever player they wanted.

“Our ownership group has been incredibly supportive, so if we feel like it’s something that meaningfully impacts our World Series chances, we’ve had that support all the time,” he said. “We’re fortunate to be in that position.”

The Dodgers’ owners spend money to make money, and they wisely hired Andrew Friedman a decade ago to tell them where to spend their money. Sounds simple, but some owners do not spend money wisely, and some do not spend money, period.

And sometimes you do both, and it just does not work out.

In the last decade the Dodgers have made the playoffs every year. Take a guess: What other Los Angeles pro team has made the playoffs the most during the last decade?

It’s the Clippers — eight playoff appearances, no championships and now a disaster.

The Dodgers have won three championships over the last decade. You might not remember that the Dodgers’ owners were ridiculed within the industry for spending $2 billion to buy the team in 2012.

At the time I asked co-owner Todd Boehly how he would define successful ownership of the Dodgers.

“You’re not really asking me that, are you?” he said then. “The more World Series we win, the more valuable a franchise it is, right?”

The Dodgers were valued at $8 billion last year by Sportico.

They signed Díaz for three years and $69 million. I asked Gomes what winter signing he recalled as the biggest during the five years he pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, left, and Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes welcome star closer Edwin Díaz during his introductory news conference Friday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

In 2014, he said, the Rays signed closer Grant Balfour: two years and $12 million — after the Baltimore Orioles withdrew a two-year, $15-million deal following a physical examination.

It’s not just the Rays, or even the small markets. The New York Mets’ spending rivaled the Dodgers last season, but the Mets missed the playoffs and lost free agents Díaz, Pete Alonso and Tyler Rogers this week alone. The New York Yankees sound oddly supportive of a salary cap. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs talk like big-market teams but do not spend like them.

At the Angels’ team store Friday morning, five customers looked around the team store, where all jerseys sold for 50% off. The attraction at the store Saturday: photos with Santa.

The Angels have not made a postseason appearance since 2014, and their acquisitions so far this offseason: a formerly touted infield prospect once traded for Chris Sale, a talented young pitcher who missed this past season because of injury and another pitcher who finished third in Cy Young voting in 2022 but has not pitched in the majors in more than 18 months. They’ll likely pay those three players less than $4 million combined.

In March, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken invited Angels owner Arte Moreno to join her in “an open and honest conversation about the future of baseball in Anaheim.”

This week when the future of the Angel Stadium site came up during an Anaheim City Council meeting, Aitken mused about asking city residents “how much of a priority is it to have the land tied up with a baseball franchise,” Voice of OC reported. (The Angels’ stadium lease extends through 2032, and the Angels have the right to extend it through 2038.)

So consider this a timely holiday reminder for Dodgers fans to give thanks for this ownership group, for what the Dodgers are doing now is exceptional and extremely rare.

It would be nice if the Dodgers made more of a commitment to family affordability — and also if the Dodgers did not charge $102.25 for “an iconic photo op with the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies” — but their attendance nonetheless hit 4 million for the first time.

This is a Dodger town, and the team is the toast of the town. The Dodgers are the biggest winner in American pro sports right now.

The owners are winners too. On Thursday, Boehly’s company staged its holiday party, and the musicians included Eddie Vedder, Bruno Mars, Anthony Kiedis, Brandi Carlile and Slash. Live life to the fullest, indeed.

Argentina football icon Lionel Messi is on a three-day GOAT tour of India ahead of the 2026 defence of FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi’s much-hyped tour of India got off to a rocky start on Saturday with angry fans throwing bottles and attempting to vandalise a stadium after many of them failed to get more than just a glimpse of their hero.

The Times of India reported that many ticket holders said that they failed to see Messi at all – either in person or on the stadium’s big screens – despite waiting for hours.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to the Argentinian football star for the “mismanagement” of the event.

“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” Banerjee wrote on social media, where she also apologised to fans who had expected more after paying for tickets.

Banerjee said a committee would be constituted to “conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future”.

Messi’s three-day “GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour” was to bring the World Cup winner from Kolkata to Hyderabad and then Mumbai before concluding in New Delhi on Monday.

He was joined by longtime teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.

Earlier on Saturday, Messi remotely “unveiled” a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in Kolkata.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter once described India as a “sleeping giant” in the football arena, but the sport in the country has run into many problems in recent years.

The Indian Super League (ISL) – India’s top football competition – has been in danger of collapse over a dispute between the federation and its commercial partner.

ISL side Bengaluru FC stopped paying the salaries of its first team’s players and staff as a result of the turmoil.

In a statement in August, the 2018-19 ISL champions said they had taken the decision “in view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League season”.

American Lindsey Vonn became the oldest skiing downhill World Cup winner at St Moritz in Switzerland on Friday.

The 41-year-old retired from the sport in February 2019 because of knee problems but made her competitive return in December 2024.

Vonn has collected one gold and two bronze Olympic medals in her career to date and is on track to represent the USA at the 2026 Games in February.

She crossed the line in one minute and 29.63 seconds – nearly a second quicker than second-placed Magdalena Egger – to wrap up her 83rd World Cup win and first since 2018.

“I knew I was skiing fast but you never know until the first race,” Vonn told TNT Sports.

“I think I was a little faster than I expected. It’s a very exciting time. Obviously my goal is Cortina but if this is the way we start, I think I’m in a good spot.”

Vonn seized skiing’s oldest World Cup winner record from Switzerland’s Didier Cuche, who had held it since his victory in the super-G at Crans Montana, USA in 2012 aged 37.

The oldest winner on the women’s circuit was Austrian Elisabeth Goergl for her victory in the super-G at Val d’Isere, France in 2014, at the age of 33.

It was Vonn’s 83rd World Cup victory and first since she won in Are, Sweden, in March 2018.

Vonn has four overall World Cup titles from a glittering career that has spanned 20 years.

“The win means so much to me. I knew in the summer I was on the right path, and all the hard work has paid off,” Vonn added.

“I thought I might retire after the last race of the Olympics, because I didn’t think I’d be competitive for a title, but I might need to change my approach.”

Friday’s event marked the beginning of the downhill World Cup campaign, with a further eight races taking place before the World Cup Finals at Kvitfjell in Norway on 21 March.

Sweeping the Las Vegas Raiders is one thing, but can the Chargers do the same against the mighty Kansas City Chiefs?

With the way Patrick Mahomes & Co. have played lately — losing four of five and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time with Mahomes — that’s entirely possible.

The Chargers need to win at least one of their final four games to get to double digits and put themselves in position to make the playoffs, and it’s a brutal stretch — at Kansas City and Dallas, home against Houston, and a finale at Denver. They could check that box Sunday, having won five of their last six games.

How the Chargers can win: The Chargers need to ratchet up the pressure on Mahomes, particularly off the edges, and test an offensive line that has been in a steady rotation and is suspect at the tackle spots. Take advantage of the inconsistency at receiver and the propensity for drops. The secondary led the way in the win over Philadelphia. Win on early downs to get into third-and-manageable and don’t fall behind in what can be one of the loudest stadiums in the league. Keep Chris Jones and the rest off of Justin Herbert, who still is recovering from surgery on his left hand. Continue to pound the ball with Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal.

How the Chiefs can win: The Chiefs need to win out, and to do that they must get out of their own way. Too many times they have fallen victim to mistakes — drops, penalties, missed assignments, defensive lapses. It’s like a bizarro version of the team that went 11-0 in one-score games last season. As great as he is, Mahomes can’t get happy feet the way he has too often. Kansas City needs to do a better job of giving him a clean pocket. The Chiefs need to tighten up on defense late — that has been a problem — and limit turnovers. They’re in a loud stadium and the cold weather plays to their advantage.

Never stop fighting.

That was the Ventura football team’s mindset Friday night at Fullerton High.

The Cougars drove 99 yards in eight plays and scored on a 12-yard pass from Derek Garcia to Tristan Phillips on fourth and goal to pull within a touchdown with 2:40 left, but San Francisco St. Ignatius College Prep recovered the ensuing onside kick and gained a first down to run out the clock and hang on for a 42-35 victory in the CIF state Division 3-AA bowl game.

“You are true competitors,” Derek’s father and head coach Tim Garcia told his dejected players minutes later. “We fought, kept fighting, just came up a little short, but let’s not forget what you guys accomplished. You won the Channel League, you won CIF, you won regionals and are state runner-up.”

Ventura defenders Nathan Radwich and Tristan Phillips tackle San Francisco St. Ignatius College Prep receiver Ty Hicks in the first half Friday.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Garcia, who is headed for Nevada Las Vegas, entered the game having thrown for 3,369 yards, 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He added to that impressive total by completing 15 of 26 passes for 208 yards and two scores.

James Watson had 10 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns and Western Colorado-bound receiver Jack Cunningham, who entered with a Ventura Country record 116 catches for 2,041 yards and 26 touchdowns, had seven catches for 67 yards.

St. Ignatius (9-6) finished the season on a seven-game winning streak thanks in large part to senior quarterback Caedon Afsharipour, who threw a touchdown pass and ran for the winning score.

The Cougars (13-3) had their 10-game winning streak snapped. The lead changed hands five times in the first half.

Ventura quarterback Derek Garcia passes against St. Ignatius College Prep on Friday night.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

James Watson scored on runs of 13 and 31 yards on consecutive drives to give Ventura its first lead, 14-7, with 2:33 left in the first quarter.

Steve Malone broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter and scored on a 27-yard run to put the Wildcats up 20-14, but the extra point was blocked.

Tristan Savage’s one-yard run capped an eight-play, 69-yard drive that put Ventura back on top, 21-20, but St. Ignatius answered on a 61-yard touchdown run by Luke Tribolet and a two-point pass from Afsharipour to Hawkes Packard to take a 28-21 lead into halftime.

Packard caught a 65-yard touchdown pass to extend the North region winners’ lead to 35-21 on the first play of the second half.

Garcia hit Cunningham in stride for a 31-yard touchdown to pull the Cougars within 35-28 at the 3:49 mark of the third quarter. However, Afsharipour’s 27-yard touchdown scamper pushed the Wildcats’ lead back to two scores early in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve done it before a couple times this season … we’ve battled back and come out on top,” Derek Garcia said as reality set in that his high school career was over. “I tried to stay in the present. I’m done being a Ventura Cougar, but now I look forward to the next chapter.”

The Ashes returns on 17 December (23:30 GMT, 16 Dec) with the third Test taking place at the Adelaide Oval.

England are 2-0 down and must win the third Test to have a chance of regaining the Ashes.

The Oval has hosted plenty of memorable moments, how many do you remember? Good luck!

CIF STATE BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

At Saddleback College

DIVISION 1-AA

Folsom 42, San Diego Cathedral Catholic 28

DIVISION 2-AA

Stockton St. Mary’s 27, Bakersfield Christian 24

At Fullerton High

DIVISION 3-AA

San Francisco St. Ignatius College Prep 42, Ventura 35

DIVISION 6-AA

Valley Center 36, San Jose Lincoln 35

At Buena Park High

DIVISION 4-AA

Barstow 17, Sutter 7

DIVISION 5-AA

Oakland Bishop O’Dowd 37, El Cajon Christian 0

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

At Saddleback College

OPEN DIVISION

Santa Margarita (10-3) vs. Concord De la Salle (12-0), 8 p.m.

DIVISION 1-A

Oxnard Pacifica (15-0) vs. Fresno Central East (13-1), 3:30 p.m.

DIVISION 2-A

Rio Hondo Prep (15-0) vs. Sonora (14-0), 11:30 a.m.

At Fullerton High

DIVISION 3-A

Delano Kennedy (11-3) vs. Oakland McClymonds (10-2), 7 p.m.

DIVISION 6-A

San Diego Morse (10-4) vs. Winters (13-1), 3 p.m.

DIVISION 7-AA

Woodbridge (7-8) vs. Redding Christian (14-0), 11 a.m.

At Buena Park High

DIVISION 4-A

Beckman (12-3) vs. El Cerrito (12-2), 7 p.m.

DIVISION 5-A

Bishop Union (12-3) vs. Calaveras (11-2), 3 p.m.

DIVISION 7-A

South El Monte (11-4) vs. San Francisco Balboa (11-2), 11 a.m.

England Netball will donate £1 to Netball Jamaica’s chosen charity, World Central Kitchen, from every Horizon Series ticket sold – and has also announced fans will be able to contribute to the British Red Cross’ Disaster Fund.

The fixtures may be taking place under challenging circumstances, but England captain Francesca Williams said her team’s approach remains unchanged.

“We’re definitely not holding back,” Williams told BBC Sport.

“You are always going to put out your best performance possible and do what you can to help the team win. That’s showing the other team the most respect, playing to your best ability.”

While these matches represent “more than the scoreline”, the Jamaican side will be “coming just as hard” as they would if it were in different circumstances, Williams said.

But for them, it is also a chance to bring joy to people back home.

Sutherland said people in Jamaica “are setting their alarm, and putting on their black, green and gold” to watch the games on television.

She hopes the TV audience include her grandfather if the power is restored to his area in time.

“He’s really excited that I’m on tour, asking how he will watch the game,” she said.

“It means a lot to him. He walks around telling everybody: ‘My granddaughter is a Sunshine Girl!'”

Etiwanda and Rancho Verde, coached by two disciples of defensive guru Dave Kleckner, went at it with the kind of defensive intensity that Kleckner would have appreciated in the semifinals of the North Orange County tournament at Sonora on Friday night.

After Etiwanda opened a 12-point halftime lead, Rancho Verde took a one-point lead at the end of the third quarter on a buzzer-beating three by Charles Knight.

Then Etiwanda regained its defensive intensity in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 63-57 victory. Etiwanda (12-0) will play Heritage Christian in Saturday’s championship game.

Igniting the Eagles’ fourth-quarter run was sophomore Devin Mitchell, who scored six of his 14 points in the period. Etiwanda got into trouble after a 35-23 halftime lead by committing five fouls in the opening four minutes of the second half. Semaj Carter made eight consecutive free throws for Rancho Verde (8-2) and finished with 19 points. Knight got hot in the second half, making four threes and finishing with 22 points.

Kleckner coached at Etiwanda for 28 years before he turned over the program to former assistant Daniel Ryan. Rancho Verde coach Braydon Bortolamedi was the junior varsity coach last season at Etiwanda. So it was like watching two teams using identical strategies.

Heritage Christian 45, Anaheim Canyon 42: Dominic Loehle made a basket with 25 seconds left to break a tie and lift Heritage Christian into the championship game of the North Orange County tournament. Loehle finished with 16 points.

Santa Margarita 92, Village Christian 85: The Eagles led by double digits in the fourth quarter before Village Christian made it close. Brayden Kyman scored 24 points and Drew Anderson 19. Freshman Will Conroy had 26 points for Village Christian.

Crespi 79, New York Eagle Academy 72: Cayman Martin finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Crespi at St. Joseph in Santa Maria.

St. Francis 68, La Salle 54: Cherif Millogo led St. Francis with 27 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks.

Meridian (Idaho) Owyhee 53, Damien 47: In Idaho, the Spartans put up a fight before falling. Eli Garner had 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Cypress 75, Orange Lutheran 66: Gavin Kroll finished with 25 points for Cypress.

Moorpark 70, Westlake 64: Logan Stotts had 25 points for Moorpark.

Venice 60, Fairfax 50: The Gondoliers picked up an important Western League win. A’Jonn Mitchell finished with 25 points for Venice.

San José Archbishop Mitty 89, Inglewood 84: Jason Crowe Jr. scored 23 points and Cayim White had 21 points for Inglewood.

St. Bernard 75, El Cajon Christian 53: Brandon Granger had 33 points and Chris Rupert scored 17 points for St. Bernard.

Loyola 64, Stockton St. Mary’s 46: Mattai Carter had 19 points for Loyola.

Potomac (Md.) Bullis 70, Redondo Union 62: At DeMatha, Redondo Union received 14 points from Chris Sanders in a defeat.