A half dozen little kids have come out of the bleachers seeking high fives from any Palisades High basketball player. Jack Levey, the smallest player on the court, responds to the delight of the fanatics. Receiving recognition and giving back to those rooting for you is among the most memorable parts of the high school sports experience.
Palisades is on the verge of winning its first upper division City Section basketball championship since 1969. The Dolphins will play Cleveland on Friday night at 8 p.m. at L.A. Southwest College for the Open Division title.
Levey, a 5-foot-10 junior guard, is the secret weapon who shows up when the Dolphins’ three stars — freshman Phillip Reed and junior twins EJ and OJ Popoola — need a little help.
“All the attention is on them,” he said. “I’m always open.”
His contribution comes in the form of making three-pointers.
“I practice all the time,” Levey said. “Any time I’m in the gym, I’m shooting threes. That’s why I know if I’m going to play in college, I have to be able to shoot threes.”
If he’s not shooting 400 threes a day at practice, he’s in the backyard at home in Westchester shooting threes on a hoop, with his father feeding him passes.
He has made 103 threes this season. During Palisades’ 71-56 semifinal victory over San Pedro on Saturday night, he stole the ball and was leading the fast break for what looked like could have been a breakaway layup. Instead, he pulled up on the wing and made a three.
“I’m more comfortable shooting a transition three than getting to the basket,” he said. “I feel like a three is a layup.”
Coach Jeff Bryant has given him the green light to pretty much shoot from anywhere. In a game against Westchester this season, he was 11 for 12 from three-point range.
Jack Levey celebrates a big win in the Dolphins’ return to their home court against Western League rival Fairfax.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
“I couldn’t miss,” he said. “It was so fun. It was the best.”
Other coaches in the Western League know they must pay attention to Levey or suffer the consequences.
“He’s one person we game plan for to limit his looks,” University coach Steve Ackerman said. “He’s an exceptional three-point shooter and has even improved over last season.”
Levey’s journey wasn’t necessarily supposed to turn him into a three-point shooter. Growing up, he was usually the tallest player on his youth team. Then he stopped growing and saw others pass him by. When he entered high school, he had to re-invent himself.
“I thought I was going to be 6-3,” he said. “I have to be able to shoot the ball.”
You’d have to know nothing about basketball these days to fail to guess who his favorite player is.
“Steph Curry,” he said. “That’s my GOAT.”
In a season where the overall talent level in City Section basketball probably reached a new low, the young talent at Palisades provides a starting point to move forward. Reed, the talented freshman, had 29 points Saturday in the semifinals.
And from a fan perspective, waiting for Levey to launch one of his threes offers a moment of excitement and entertainment that even makes little kids look up and put down their video games to see if the ball goes in.
The Miami Dolphins have released wide receiver Tyreek Hill with immediate effect.
The 31-year-old has been selected for the Pro Bowl in eight of his first 10 seasons in the NFL but is currently recovering from a serious knee injury.
The Dolphins cited “failed physical” as the reason for Hill’s departure as they also released offensive lineman James Daniels and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on Monday.
Know as ‘the Cheetah’, Hill has been one of the quickest players in the NFL since being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, helping them win the Super Bowl in 2020.
The Chiefs traded him to Miami in 2022 to make room under their salary cap and since then he has ranked sixth for most receiving yards in he NFL.
The Dolphins went on to finish the season with their second straight losing record under head coach Mike McDaniel, who has since been replaced by Jeff Hafley.
He has set about rebuilding the Dolphins roster, with Tua Tagovailoa also linked with a move from Miami having failed to establish himself as their franchise quarterback.
IF you want incredible coastal views head to this spaceship-looking retreat – it’s one of the best in the UK.
Called The Observatory, the holiday home is perched high above the beach in Tyne and Wear – it even has an indoor sauna and outdoor bath.
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Inside The Observatory a cosy living area with wrap around windows made from windscreensCredit: Holiday CottagesUpstairs is the kitchen with a balcony overlooking the beachCredit: Holiday Cottages
The Observatory was picked as one of the ‘most-loved cottages for 2026’ by holidaycottages.co.uk – and for good reason.
Near Whitley Bay in North Tyneside, The Observatory sits up on the third and fourth floor with views across the North Sea.
You can see the coast from anywhere thanks to the holiday cottages’ wrap around windows which are made from car windscreens.
And if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot dolphins and seals – which one lucky visitor did.
They wrote in their review: “Absolutely fantastic accommodation, a perfect location for exploring the area, lots of great restaurants especially for fish lovers!!
“Spectacular views, we were lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins very close within the bay.”
Another added: “Absolutely incredible views, all day and night, you don’t need to move from the windows! I did have a little run down to the water and a walk into the high street but other than that the sauna and views were enough.”
On the first floor of The Observatory is a cosy sofa and a hanging egg chair – it’s also where you’ll find the bedroom with a super king-size bed.
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There’s also a shower room, alfresco bathtub, and an indoor sauna with a sea view.
On the very top floor is an airy kitchen, another lounge area with a woodburner, and an outside balcony with thirty-mile all-round sea views.
If you fancy a sweet treat, head down to the cafe on the ground floor which serves up coffee and ice cream.
Also on the ground floor is a private, enclosed patio garden with a table and chairs.
It sleeps two and is pet-friendly too.
A seven-night stay at The Observatory in March costs £1,143 – or £81.65pppn.
Inside the holiday home is a comfy king size bed tooCredit: Holiday CottagesOne visitor was lucky enough to see a pod of dolphinsCredit: Alamy
IF the bright blue waters and white sands of the Maldives are a little out of reach, then apparently you should head to Scotland instead.
The archipelago of Orkney happens to be one of Lorraine Kelly’s favourite holiday destinations, and even compared it to far-flung hotspots.
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The Orkney islands are known for having beautiful beaches and sandy coastlinesCredit: AlamyYou’re very likely to spot dolphins and even whales offshoreCredit: Alamy
Talking to The Times, Lorraine Kelly revealed: “One of my favourite places is Orkney, where I’ve been going annually since 1985 and I still haven’t seen everything.
“It’s fascinating if you’re interested in prehistory, with Skara Brae — a stone neolithic settlement — Maeshowe tombs and wonderful ancient sites.”
She added: “I hosted the opening ceremony of the Orkney International Island Games last year and the sun shone like it was the Maldives.
“You need to pack your bikini and a balaclava. It can be sunshine in the morning and snow in the afternoon but it’s beautiful and I would live there in a heartbeat.”
Orkney is an archipelago of around 70 islands and scattered across them are some incredible Maldives-like beaches.
Some of the top ones are Rackwick Bay on the north west of the island of Hoy.
The beach is surrounded by cliffs and heathery hills – and on the beach is fine sand and boulders.
The island of Sanday is known for extensive white sand with popular beaches including Backaskaill Bay and Whitemill Bay.
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Another of the islands, Stronsay, is known for its quiet, untouched coastline with one of the standout beaches beingthe Sands of Rothiesholm.
Aside from beaches, there are small towns dotted around the island that can be explored too, starting with Kirkwall.
Kirkwallis the capital and of the Orkney Islands and a few years ago was declared the friendliest place in the country.
It was so friendly that locals even left their doors unlocked.
In 2023, it was voted the number one most welcoming destination by Booking.com, Kirkwall climbed from its previous second position.
When it comes to where to stay, Lorraine’s hotel of choice is the Foveran – just a few miles outside of Kirkwall.
Visitors can stay at the hotel with a bed & full Orcadian breakfast stay from £135 per night (single), or £175 (double).
Beaches in Orkney have soft sands and bright blue waters in the summertimeCredit: AlamyThe Foveran is Lorraine Kelly’s hotel of choice in OrkneyCredit: The Foveran
A full Orcadian breakfast typically includes sausages, bacon, fried eggs, and black pudding, along withOrcadian bere bannocks(a rustic barley bread), smoked fish, and Orkney cheddar.
Each room has a TV, tea and coffee making station, free Wi-Fi and luxury Scottish Fine Soaps products in the bathrooms.
When it comes to other spots to explore, visitors often head to The Old Man of Hoy – on the island of Hoy.
The Old Man of Hoy is a 449ft sea stack made of Old Red Sandstone – it’s the UK’s tallest sea stack and a popular spot for rock climbers.
Visitors can get to Lamb Holm from one of the causeways in the Orkney islands.
Orkney is also a popular place for wildlife. And while you might not spot all the marine life that you get in the Maldives – there are some, like dolphins.
There have been over 12 species seen in Orkney over the years, like the bottlenose, white-beaked and Risso dolphins.
If you want to see them – peak viewing season is May to September.
Orkney is a prime destination for whale watching, with 90 per cent of orca sightings occurring there.
You’re likely to see lots of birds there too like puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.
The island of North Ronaldsay is home to its own breed of sheep with the same name.
They live on the rocky shores and exist on a diet that is made up of seaweed – which is incredibly rare.
When it comes to getting to Orkney, you can fly directly to Orkney with Loganair – the airline has direct routes toKirkwallfrom Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
There are three main ferry routes to and from Orkney – NorthLink Ferriessail between Aberdeen and Kirkwall.
FOR dolphin spotting, Blue Flag coastlines, and cafés right on the beach, head to Tynemouth.
This pretty town has also just been named one of the best places to live in the North East.
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Tynemouth has been named one of the best places to live in the North EastCredit: AlamyBottlenose dolphins are regularly seen offshore from Longsands BeachCredit: Alamy
Tynemouth sits between Whitley Bay and North Shields and is home to one of the best beaches in the area called Longsands.
The beach has a mile of golden sand, has been awarded Blue Flag status, and is known for having excellent surfing conditions.
One recent visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Lovely sand, clean. Plenty of people seen swimming, playing, boarding and walking so it’s popular but not packed.”
Another added: “Beautiful beach that’s dog friendly – loads of nice bars and coffee shops within walking distance. Stunning year around.”
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Dogs are generally welcome on the northern end of Longsands beach year-round.
In the summer season between May and the end of September at the southern end of the beach and at King Edward’s Bay restrictions are in place.
Beachgoers regularly spot dolphins offshore from the beach, particularly during summer months.
Aside from spending a day at the seaside, there’s plenty for families to do including heading to the Lost World Adventure crazy golf and the Tynemouth Aquarium.
There’s an annual music festival at the Priory ruins in TynemouthCredit: Alamy
One of the most popular cafés in Tynemouth is Crusoe’s where visitors can eat right on the sand and take in the seaside view.
You can pick up breakfasts, sandwiches and the classic beach supper, fish and chips from £13.95.
Another fish and chips shop called Marshall’s which is found in the town centre is so busy it usually has customers queueing out the door.
Marshall’s is named after Jimi Hendrix who, according to a blue plaque in the restaurant’s window, ate fish and chips there while playing a show in Newcastle in March 1967.
This summer, the town will hold its annual Mouth of the Tyne Festival between July 9-12.
It’s held within the ruins of the Priory which is on top of the headland and looks over the beach.
Some of the other top places to live in the North East were the village of Wickham in Tyne and Wear and Alnwick in Northumberland.
On Thursday night, the Palisades High boys’ basketball team savored something it had not experienced since midway through last season: homecourt advantage.
Hosting a game inside their own gym for the first time in 388 days, the Dolphins did not let their fans or their classmates leave disappointed, beating Fairfax 75-28 to stay on track for their first outright league title in 30 years.
“It’s great to be back … it was cool,” junior center Julian Cunningham said. “We haven’t had a game here in over a year. There’s no way we were gonna lose. It was a great atmosphere and we beat ’em by 50, so that’s pretty good.”
Palisades’ boys had last taken their home floor for an official contest on Jan. 6, 2025 — one day before the Palisades fire broke out and dealt severe damage to their campus and community. First-year coach Jeff Bryant had to scramble to find someplace — anyplace — to practice for what would turn out to be 42 games.
“I never thought it would be this long,” Bryant admitted. “When the fire happened, I was thinking we’d have some access to our gym in the summer. I remember at a parent meeting saying we’ll 100% be playing our league games at home. When the new [school year] started we were told September, then October, then November, then the start of the second semester. It kept getting pushed back.”
The team held its first practice at Palisades on Monday and students returned to campus Tuesday morning after attending classes for nine months at what came to be known as “PaliHi South,” the old Sears department store building in nearby Santa Monica.
Fans were treated to a blowout win in the Palisades boys’ basketball return to the school gym for the first time in 388 days.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
“UCLA, Memorial Park, Paul Revere, St. Bernard …” Bryant said, rattling off just a few of the sites his team practiced at while waiting for the green light to return to campus. “We’ve been road warriors for over a year now and I definitely think it’s been an advantage, but now we’re looking forward to being home and we’re going to feed off that energy starting tonight.”
Pacing the Dolphins on Thursday were 6-6 junior twins OJ and EJ Popoola, who got the home crowd cheering by combining for six dunks. They were raised in Las Vegas and transferred to Palisades in June. Two of the most highly touted prospects in the 2027 class, the brothers shined in their first game at their new school, scoring 19 and 16 points, respectively.
“It was amazing — I’ve been thinking about this game for so long,” said OJ, who had 10 points in the first quarter as Palisades stormed to a 45-14 halftime lead. “Even though we weren’t here last year, we feel like it’s our community too. EJ and I have been playing with each other for so long and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
EJ Popoola is averaging 21 points per game, OJ Popoola is averaging 18 and junior Jack Levey, the most outstanding player in the Western League last winter, is the section’s most dangerous long-range shooter, averaging 45% from beyond the arc.
Another reason Palisades is one of the favorites to win the Open Division is the all-around play of freshman guard Phillip Reed, who is averaging 17 points, six assists and six rebounds.
“It felt surreal — I was really nervous,” EJ Popoola added. “The energy was there, the fans showed up and we’re finally finding our rhythm as a team. It’s a work in progress, but me and OJ have been through it all together and I thank God I’m a twin!”
OJ Popoola soars for one of his two dunks in the Dolphins’ first home game since the Palisades fire.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
AJ Neale scored 13 points and Reed added 10 for the Dolphins, who scored 10 seconds into the contest on Levey’s alley-oop to EJ Popoola and never trailed.
Guards Kameron Augustin and Jomari Marshall scored seven apiece for the Lions (15-8, 5-2).
Palisades went 12-7 in its last 19 games of 2024-25, falling to Chatsworth in the City Section Open Division semifinals before reaching the Division III regional semifinals (hosting three games at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa). The Dolphins are off to a 13-11 start in 2025-26 while playing the toughest schedule of any team in the City. They have grown accustomed to playing in hostile environments and hope their “us against the world” mentality works in their favor once the playoffs start.
Thursday’s win kept the Dolphins alone atop the Western League standings at 8-0, 2½ games ahead of Fairfax with only four left. If Palisades seals the deal, it will mark the program’s first league crown since it finished in a three-way tie for first place with Westchester and Fairfax in 2011-12 under then coach James Paleno.
What a difference a year makes. Westchester, which beat Palisades twice on its way to winning league and capturing the City Open Division title last February, is fifth in league at 4-5 and lost its first meeting with Palisades by 38 points.
“The environment was amazing and I was a little stiff on my shots for the first 20 minutes or so, but after that I was feeling it,” said Levey, who swished two of his team’s 10 three-pointers. “This was personal. We can’t lose our first game back. Winning City is the standard, but [state] is what we really want to win.”
Palisades High’s Phil Reed makes a layup against Fairfax in the first half Thursday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Palisades lost 10 of its first 13 games, including six straight while several key players recovered from injuries — but Bryant never lost faith. “That losing streak strengthened us,” he said. “I could’ve lost the team. Instead, guys stuck to the plan. Now we’re trending in the right direction. We haven’t played our best game yet. Our biggest challenge is what’s next.”
Through this ordeal, Bryant has learned patience and perseverance.
“The hardest part has been communicating with the parents,” Bryant said. “You have to go with the flow. They want answers and sometimes you honestly don’t know. When games are canceled, it hurts the younger kids most because lower-level games aren’t going to be made up. So they really miss out.”
The Popoola twins are motivated to lead Palisades to its first undisputed league championship since their father, Chris, helped the Dolphins to a third consecutive Western League title in 1995-1996. One of Popoola’s teammates that year was Donzell Hayes, who piloted the program from 2016-23 and attended Thursday’s game.
Palisades is chasing its third City title and first since winning Division I in 2020. Chris Marlowe, who captained the USA volleyball team to the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics, led the Dolphins to a 21-1 record and the City Section basketball championship in 1969, beating Reseda in the final at Pauley Pavilion under the program’s first coach, Jerry Marvin.
Jack Levey celebrates a big win in the Dolphins’ return to their home court against Western League rival Fairfax.
Fired by the Dolphins on Jan. 8 after a 7-10 season, McDaniel went 35-33 over four seasons in South Beach. His hiring comes less than two weeks after Herbert fell to 0-3 in the playoffs following a 16-3 AFC wild-card loss to the New England Patriots, resulting in offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s firing.
With defensive coordinator Jesse Minter leaving to become coach of the Baltimore Ravens, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will have two new coordinators in 2026.
Considered one of the NFL’s leading offensive innovators when he was hired by the Dolphins after a one-year stint as offensive coordinator in San Francisco, McDaniel guided Miami to back-to-back playoff berths in 2022 and ’23. In McDaniel’s first season, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passed for 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns in 13 games. He then passed for a league-leading 4,624 yards with 29 touchdowns in 2023 at the front of the league’s top offense (401 net yards per game).
The Dolphins, however, were winless in the playoffs under McDaniel. And Tagovailoa’s injury-limited 2024 season, coupled with his deteriorating performances this season, factored into McDaniel’s firing.
Still, McDaniel’s reputation as an offensive guru made him a prime candidate not just for coordinator positions, but for head coaching vacancies too. He reportedly interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans before deciding to join Harbaugh’s staff. He also reportedly withdrew from consideration for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job and canceled an interview for the Buffalo Bills head coaching vacancy before formalizing his deal with the Chargers.
Harbaugh said last week he wanted “a head coach of the offense,” someone who “teaches, installs and puts the players in the best position to be successful.”
Much of that wish list will center on McDaniel establishing a run game to complement Herbert — something that never fully materialized under Roman and Harbaugh.
The Chargers clearly prioritized the rush last offseason when they signed Najee Harris and drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round. But season-ending injuries to Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt and Harris, coupled with Hampton being undermined by ankle injuries, thwarted meaningful year-over-year gains (122 yards per game in 2025; 111 in 2024).
With the offensive line set to return to full strength and general manager Joe Hortiz saying he’s willing to spend some of the team’s estimated $103 million in salary-cap space, the Chargers are well-positioned for another postseason run in 2026.
Whether McDaniel can help Herbert end his playoff winless streak remains to be seen.
