Games

It’s championship week in the high school football playoffs.

Here’s a look at top matchups on Friday and Saturday:

Southern Section

FRIDAY

DIVISION 1

Santa Margarita (9-3) vs. Corona Centennial (11-1) at the Rose Bowl, 7 p.m.

The last team standing will be the one able to execute on offense in a showcase of two aggressive, physically tough defenses. Santa Margarita has an advantage with versatile linebacker Dash Fifita and a defensive line second to none. Coach Carson Palmer twice played in the Rose Bowl as a player for USC. Centennial must find a way to run the ball or quarterback Dominick Catalano will have a long night. The pick: Santa Margarita.

DIVISION 3

Oxnard Pacifica (13-0) at Palos Verdes (10-3), 7 p.m.

Pacifica’s speed will cause Palos Verdes problems, especially if quarterback Taylor Lee can get the ball to his playmakers. Any team with quarterback Ryan Rakowski will not go down easily, but Rakowski suffered a broken thumb last week. Backup Giorgio Di Mascio has shown he can fill in when needed. The pick: Pacifica.

SATURDAY

DIVISION 2

Los Alamitos (11-2) at San Clemente (9-4), 7 p.m.

No team has turned around its season quicker than San Clemente, which has gone from unranked to playing in the championship game with a five-game winning streak. And the teams they’ve beaten were good — Los Alamitos, Edison, Beaumont, Vista Murrieta and Leuzinger. Defense has been key. Patrick Norman leads the team with 109 tackles. The Tritons will have to make sure Los Alamitos running backs Lenny Ibarra and Kamden Tillis are held in check. The pick: San Clemente.

DIVISION 5

Rio Hondo Prep (13-0) at Redondo Union (9-4), 7 p.m.

With a student population of just 150, Rio Hondo Prep faces its toughest challenge yet going for a 17th championship. Coach Mark Carson has schemes and strategies taught to players once they arrive in seventh grade. Running back Noah Penunuri (1,203 yards, 22 touchdowns) is recovering from an ankle injury. Redondo Union, with a student body of nearly 3,000, is in its first title game since 1944. Quarterback Cole Leinart is the son of Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart. The pick: Rio Hondo Prep.

City Section

FRIDAY

DIVISION III

Hawkins (10-2) vs. Santee (9-4) at Birmingham, 2 p.m.

It’s been a long road back for Hawkins after the program hit rock bottom in 2016 with forfeits, the firing of the coaching staff and an exodus of players during a season that ended up 0-13. Coach Ronald Coltress has stayed the course. Senior Jamarieah Wallace is closing in on 900 yards rushing. Santee’s Darnell Miller gets the chance to put on a show. He has rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. The pick: Santee.

DIVISION II

San Fernando (10-3) vs. Cleveland (5-8) at Birmingham, 6 p.m.

Everything changed when Cleveland quarterback Domenik Fuentes came back from an injury in Week 1 to lead the Cavaliers in the playoffs. San Fernando’s Julian Sarzo has passed for 1,500 yards. The pick: Cleveland.

SATURDAY

DIVISION I

Marquez (11-2) vs. South Gate (10-3), at L.A. Southwest College, 2 p.m.

It will be the passing of South Gate quarterback Michael Gonzalez vs. the all-around game of junior Elyjah Staples, perhaps the top college prospect in the City Section. He gets sacks, catches passes and makes plays. The pick: Marquez.

OPEN DIVISION

Crenshaw (10-1) vs. Carson (8-3) at L.A. Southwest College, 6 p.m.

These two defenses have given up a combined 14 points in the playoffs. As impressive as Crenshaw has been, Carson has reached another level behind quarterback Chris Fields III. Crenshaw’s speed on defense and resiliency should make for a defensive battle. The pick: Carson.

NEW YORK — Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other ex-NBA player.

Billups, a five-time All Star and onetime Clippers player and assistant coach who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned in a federal court in Brooklyn on money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges involving a scheme to rig mob-backed illegal poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons.

Both charges carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Others implicated face charges of running an illegal gambling business, robbery conspiracy and extortion conspiracy.

Prosecutors said Monday that plea negotiations have begun with some defendants, though they didn’t name them.

U.S. District Court Judge Ramon Reyes said he hoped to bring the sprawling case to trial by next September, urging lawyers in the courtroom to “do what you have to do.”

Billups, who wore a dark gray suit during Monday’s brief arraignment, spoke only to answer the judge’s yes or no questions. His lawyer, Marc Mukasey, entered his not guilty plea.

They declined to comment to reporters afterward, but one of Billups’ lawyers has called him a “man of integrity” and said he denies the charges.

“To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game,” Chris Heywood said after Billups appeared in federal court in Portland, Ore., when prosecutors first announced the indictment on Oct. 23.

Billups, 49, was released on a $5-million bond secured by his family’s Colorado home. He must refrain from gambling and can have no contact with other defendants or alleged victims. He has surrendered his passport and can only travel to seven states, including Oregon and New York, and Washington, D.C.

Inducted last year into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, Billups was arguably the most prominent among more than 30 people charged in last month’s sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports.

In addition to his arraignment, Billups and his co-defendants, including ex-NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones, appeared for a status conference on Monday and are due back in court on March 4.

Prosecutors say the poker-rigging scheme utilized sophisticated technology such as altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in chip trays, special sunglasses and X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards.

Jones, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and others are also charged with allegedly scheming to allow gamblers to exploit insider information about players to win NBA bets.

Prosecutors say the poker scheme Billups was involved in defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million starting in at least 2019.

They say he served as a celebrity “face card” that could draw wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said during one game, the scheme’s organizers exchanged messages saying one of the victims “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star struck.”

Prosecutors say Billups, who earned about $106 million from his playing days, received a portion of the ill-gotten gains. After one rigged game in October 2020, for example, they say he was directly wired $50,000.

The scheme organizers also had to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno mob families for operating within the illegal poker games run by the New York criminal enterprises, prosecutors said.

Mafia members, in turn, helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, they said.

Billups was selected as the third overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics after starring in college for the Colorado Buffaloes. He played 17 years in the NBA, with stints with the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Clippers.

But he is perhaps most beloved in the Motor City, where he earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” for his knack of making clutch shots.

Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP during the Pistons’ title run in 2004 and had his No. 1 jersey retired by the team.

After retiring in 2014, Billups embarked on a career as a TV analyst before pivoting to coaching.

He was hired as Portland’s coach in 2021 and signed a multiyear extension with the Trail Blazers earlier this year after the team missed out on the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2024. Billups previously served as an assistant coach for the Clippers.

After his arrest, he was placed on unpaid leave and the Trail Blazers named assistant coach and former NBA player Tiago Splitter as interim coach.

Marcelo writes for the Associated Press. Associated Press reporter Michael R. Sisask contributed to this story.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

CITY SECTION

Bravo 51, Sotomayor 44

Central City Value 58, Stern 55

CHAMPS 65, CALS Early College 33

Crossroads Christian 54, La Sierra Academy 40

Desert Mirage 42, Public Safety Academy 22

East College Prep 62, Camino Nuevo 51

El Camino Real 56, Sherman Oaks CES 49

Gertz-Ressler 78, USC Hybrid 32

LA University 72, West Adams 40

Los Osos 69, Schurr 50

Oak Park 74, Culver City 71

Oaks Christian 63, Providence 55

Orthopaedic 53, Iovine and Young Center 10

Palmdale Aerospace Academy 58, Antelope Valley 54

Ramona 65, Woodcrest Christian 51

Rise Kohyang 52, Alliance Bloomfield 40

University Prep Value 57, New Designs University Park 45

USC-MAE 69, Smidt Tech 47

View Park 75, Contreras 53

Wilmington Banning 65, Animo Robinson 19

WISH Academy 65, Diego Rivera 45

SOUTHERN SECTION

Alemany 71, Blair 52

Alta Loma 62, Jurupa Hills 60

Baldwin Park 64, Southlands Christian 27

Bishop Diego 71, Lompoc 42

California Lutheran 63, California Military Institute 46

Crossroads Christian 56, La Sierra Academy 40

Dana Hills 64, Garden Grove Santiago 27

Desert Mirage 42, Public Safety Academy 22

Dominguez 63, Orange 36

Elsinore 89, Liberty 54

Esperanza 82, California 66

Estancia 70, Magnolia 33

Etiwanda 62, Oak Hills 44

Fillmore 57, Cate 53

Foothill Tech 62, de Toledo 52

Gahr 76, Western Christian 21

Garden Grove 74, Loara 60

Garden Grove Pacifica 58, Tarbut V’ Torah 56

Geffen Academy 51, Newbury Park Adventist 43

Golden Valley 80, Simi Valley 57

Great Oak 64, Santa Ana Foothill 56

Hawthorne 52, Wildwood 31

Heritage 54, Arroyo Valley 32

Heritage Christian 55, Milken 54

Knight 81, Vasquez 48

Lakeside 74, Mountain View 20

Los Altos 71, Chino 69

Malibu 66, Santa Clara 63

Maricopa 54, Alpaugh 43

Monrovia 71, NSLA 10

Montclair 83, Duarte 56

Moorpark 77, Anaheim Canyon 42

Murrieta Valley 86, Laguna Beach 41

Norwalk 60, Anaheim 38

Oak Park 74, Culver City 71

Ontario 56, Jurupa Valley 41

Paloma Valley 59, San Jacinto Valley Academy 33

Pioneer 57, Rowland 53

Redlands East Valley 95, West Valley 43

Rubidoux 40, San Jacinto 33

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 41, Cerritos Valley Christian 32

Santa Ynez 70, Nipomo 34

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 77, La Mirada 60

Sierra Vista 43, Pasadena Poly 36

Silverado 76, Serrano 25

South Hills 72, Westminster 39

St. Francis 77, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 60

St. Margaret’s 71, Workman 47

St. Monica Academy 70, Bassett 63

Tahquitz 43, Patriot 40

Viewpoint 68, Peninsula 60

Walnut 89, Calvary Baptist 60

Webb 81, EF Academy 35

West Covina 90, San Bernardino 88

Wiseburn Da Vinci 72, West Torrance 49

Xavier Prep 60, Anza Hamilton 21

INTERSECTIONAL

Animo Leadership 47, Animo South Los Angeles 15

Butternut (MI) 84, Redondo Union 74

CAMS 35, Harbor Teacher 31

Garfield 38, South El Monte 33

Lincoln 74, Annenberg 32

Loyola 84, King/Drew 26

San Fernando 67, Castaic 61

Santa Margarita 75, Francis Parker 39

Trinity Classical Academy 62, Canoga Park 53

Westlake 64, Granada Hills 50

GIRLS

CITY SECTION

Bernstein 49, Canoga Park 13

Central City Value 37, Stern 28

Chatsworth 66, Sherman Oaks CES 27

Fairfax 40, Inglewood 30

Gertz-Ressler 30, USC Hybrid 10

Orthopaedic d. Iovine and Young Center, forfeit

RFK Community 57, Rancho Dominguez 11

USC-MAE 15, Smidt Tech 12

SOUTHERN SECTION

Agoura 60, Hueneme 9

Alemany 69, Loma Linda Academy 29

Alpaugh 42, Maricopa 6

Apple Valley 51, AAE 16

Arlington 56, Nuview Bridge 29

Banning 37, Riverside Prep 26

Beckman 69, Savanna 26

Bishop Diego 46, Lompoc 43

Bishop Montgomery 59, Mira Costa 50

Buena Park 54, Summit 42

Cajon 42, La Sierra 20

California Military Institute 47, California Lutheran 20

Calvary Baptist 63, Ganesha 3

Camarillo 72, Chaminade 26

Capistrano Valley Christian 30, Century 19

Carter 53, Citrus Valley 40

Cerritos Valley Christian 63, Santa Ana 13

Colony 40, Diamond Bar 18

Colton 36, Arroyo Valley 21

Desert Mirage 40, Public Safety Academy 13

Dos Pueblos 75, Moorpark 26

Downey 66, Santa Monica 42

Eastside 63, Rosamond 44

Eastvale Roosevelt 65, Hesperia 57

El Toro 41, Newport Harbor 39

Fillmore 43, Palmdale Aerospace Academy 20

Fontana 56, Indian Springs 27

Gabrielino 53, Bell Gardens 19

Glendora 74, Workman 18

Hacienda Heights Wilson 81, Brea Olinda 66

Hesperia Christian 42, Lucerne Valley 23

Hesperia Christian 46, Victor Valley 39

Indio 64, West Valley 36

Kaiser 42, Lakeside 13

Knight 57, Vasquez 10

La Habra 32, Westminster La Quinta 11

La Quinta 48, Yucca Valley 34

Legacy College Prep 33 , Liberty Christian 24

Long Beach Jordan 51, Santa Fe 48

Marlborough 85, Calabasas 20

Monrovia 50, NSLA 3

Moreno Valley 61, Los Osos 40

Murrieta Valley 40, Anaheim Canyon 29

Northwood 57, Mission Viejo 53

Ontario 58, Alta Loma 28

Orange Lutheran 63, Long Beach Wilson 29

Patriot 65, Redlands East Valley 22

Redondo Union 55, Oak Hills 49

Rio Hondo Prep 76, Duarte 16

Riverside King 52, Rancho Verde 22

Riverside Poly 69, Aquinas 19

Rosary Academy 61, Upland 27

Sacred Heart of Jesus 46, Immaculate Heart 35

Saddleback 31, Estancia 23

Samueli Academy 52, Vista Meridian 3

San Clemente 72, Laguna Beach 18

San Juan Hills 49, West Torrance 43

Santa Ana Valley 61, NOVA Academy 21

Santa Barbara 47, Valley Christian Academy 42

Santa Margarita 58, Yorba Linda 21

Santa Rosa Academy 31, Bethel Christian 19

Santa Ynez 47, Nipomo 32

Serrano 37, Silverado 30

Shadow Hills 54, Ayala 20

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 74, Village Christian 42

St. Anthony 50, La Canada 31

St. Genevieve 47, Pilibos 44

St. Margaret’s 54, Chaparral 41

St. Monica Academy 51, Bassett 12

Sultana 58, Granite Hills 14

Tahquitz 52, Rubidoux 16

Temple City 48, Mayfield 16

Trinity Classical Academy 55, Buena 28

Tustin 41, Orange 31

Twentynine Palms 66, Palm Springs 34

Valley View 43, Riverside North 39

Ventura 63, Saugus 43

Villa Park 53, Corona Santiago 17

Westridge 25, Webb 19

Whitney 61, Mayfair 27

Whittier Christian 53, Loara 46

Woodbridge 60, Western 16

Woodcrest Christian 47, Vista del Lago 30

Xavier Prep 58, Anza Hamilton 29

YULA 61, Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 36

INTERSECTIONAL

Carpinteria 61, East Bakersfield 49

Compton Centennial 51, Dorsey 7

Dominguez 33, South East 30

Glendale 51, Panorama 21

Konawaena (HI) 66, Burbank Burroughs 39

LA Hamilton 46, Culver City 43

Notre Dame Academy 68, Foshay 19

Oaks Christian 67, El Camino Real 29

Oakwood 56, Vaughn 17

Valencia 69, Granada Hills 26

LA28, the committee behind the Olympic Games coming to Los Angeles, quietly added to its roster of directors some high-profile Republicans with ties to President Trump.

The 35-member volunteer board of directors now includes notable Republican political figures Kevin McCarthy, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, and Reince Priebus, who was Trump’s chief of staff during his first term. Before his role in the White House, Priebus served as the longtime chair of the Republican National Committee.

Diane Hendricks, a major GOP donor who has given millions to Trump’s campaigns, and Patrick Dumont, who owns the Dallas Mavericks and is the son-in-law of another major Trump donor, were also added to the board. Ken Moelis, an investment banker who worked with Trump in the 1990s and predicted the businessman would win the presidency in 2016, is also listed as a board member.

The Trump-adjacent inflow to the board of directors, first reported by Politico, is the latest sign of the president’s involvement in the major Los Angeles event.

It is not clear why the decision was made to expand the board of directors and how the individuals were selected. A spokesperson for LA28 did not immediately respond to The Times’ questions Thursday about the move.

Kevin McCarthy

(Associated Press)

Los Angeles business consultant Denita Willoughby and philanthropist Maria Hummer-Tuttle are also newly listed as board members.

“We are thrilled to welcome this accomplished group to the LA28 Board who will help create an unforgettable Games for athletes and fans alike,” Casey Wasserman, the chair of the 2028 L.A. Olympics organizing committee, wrote in a statement.

Wasserman could not immediately be reached by The Times for further comment.

Although past presidents have taken a largely ceremonial role in Olympics that have been held on U.S. soil, there are signs that Trump is seeking a more active role in the Games, which will occur in his final year as president.

In August, he signed an executive order naming him chair of a White House task force on the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. The president views the Games as “a premier opportunity to showcase American exceptionalism,” according to a White House statement. Trump, the administration said, “is taking every opportunity to showcase American greatness on the world stage.”

Trump at the time noted that he’d be willing to send the military back to Los Angeles to protect the Games. In June, he sent the National Guard and U.S. Marines to the city amid escalating immigration enforcement actions, prompting pushback from Mayor Karen Bass.

Wasserman attended the signing at the White House in August and thanked Trump for “leaning in” to planning for the Olympics, which he said is akin to hosting seven Super Bowls a day for 30 days.

“You’ve been supportive and helpful every step of the way,” Wasserman told the president at the time. “With the creation of this task force, we’ve unlocked the opportunity to level up our planning and deliver the largest and, yes, greatest Games for our nation, ever.”

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

CITY SECTION

Animo Robinson 58, Animo Bunche 56

Bravo 71, Bell 49

Community Charter 42, Reseda 41

Diego Rivera 58, Belmont 10

Eagle Rock 58, South East 47

Esperanza College Prep 50, Aspire Ollin 43

Hawkins 50, Horace Mann UCLA Community 42

Huntington Park 87, Lakeview Charter 13

LA Hamilton 91, Larchmont Charter 20

LA Wilson 70, Roosevelt 51

Lincoln 69, RFK Community 56

Mendez 49, Santee 42

Monroe 80, VAAS 32

Orthopaedic 54 Foshay 46

Sherman Oaks CES 84, Manual Arts 41

Sotomayor 64, Camino Nuevo 49

Torres 46, Animo De La Hoya 39

Triumph Charter 75, Canoga Park 29

View Park 84, Alliance Ouchi 24

SOUTHERN SECTION

Acaciawood 78, Liberty Christian 35

ACE 66, Bethel Christian 36

AGBU 74, Laguna Blanca 25

Anaheim Canyon 62, St. Bernard 55

Arcadia 71, Bishop Amat 53

Artesia 62, Downey 58

Big Bear 79, Ramona 75

Bonita 75, Sage Hill 42

Brentwood 84, Simi Valley 54

Buckley 61, St. Genevieve 42

Cantwell-Sacred Heart 62, South El Monte 30

Canyon Country Canyon 62, Buena Park 34

Century 54, Samueli Academy 29

Chaffey 42, Cajon 40

Chino Hills 81, El Dorado 67

Citrus Hill 80, Twentynine Palms 36

Claremont 44, Irvine University 39

Compton 81, Compton Centennial 45

Corona 56, Valley View 40

Corona Santiago 75, Colony 63

Crossroads Christian 60, SJDLCS 50

Cypress 70, Cerritos 46

Damien 69, Sonora 56

de Toledo 64, Newbury Park Adventist 39

Dominguez 57, Northview 36

Edgewood 63, Bell Gardens 57

Estancia 64, Anaheim 38

Excelsior Charter 72, University Prep 63

Fairmont Prep 58, Tesoro 45

Flintridge Prep 61, Sequoyah School 26

Foothill Tech 94, Geffen Academy 63

Fountain Valley 77, La Palma Kennedy 61

Godinez 67, Oxford Academy 44

Grace 66, Del Sol 25

Hacienda Heights Wilson 61, Sunny Hills 54

Hawthorne 61, Animo City of Champions 40

Heritage 64, San Jacinto 47

Inglewood 86, Long Beach Cabrillo 38

Irvine 60, Garden Grove Santiago 36

JSerra 69, Leuzinger 52

Keppel 52, Temple City 41

Laguna Hills 76, Torrance 65

La Serna 48, Fullerton 37

Long Beach Wilson 96, Palmdale 62

Lucerne Valley 47, Hesperia Christian 42

Magnolia Science Academy 60, Vista Meridian 49

Mesa Grande Academy 79, Palm Valley 22

Monrovia 90, Ganesha 43

Montebello 67, Mesrobian 29

Moreno Valley 56, Citrus Valley 46

Newbury Park 72, Highland 54

Nogales 49, Mountain View 33

Norte Vista 83, Norco 53

Oaks Christian 67, Milken 41

Ontario 68, Bloomington 41

Ontario Christian 53, Riverside Poly 46

Orange Lutheran 69, La Habra 59

Orcutt Academy 55, Coastal Christian 42

Palm Springs 51, Arrowhead Christian 40

Paraclete 61, Lancaster 59

Placentia Valencia 51, Western 50

Portola 79, Savanna 39

Redlands East Valley 76 Paloma Valley 56

Riverside King 63, Troy 49

San Juan Hills 61, Costa Mesa 21

Santa Fe 52, Bolsa Grande 35

Shalhevet 46, Agoura 34

Sierra Canyon 67, Millikan 65

Southlands Christian 54, Azusa 42

South Pasadena 85, Bosco Tech 67

St. Margaret’s 55, Capistrano Valley Christian 45

St. Monica Academy 68, PACS 47

Sultana 55, Pacific 46

Summit 74, Temescal Canyon 43

Summit Leadership Academy 68, Bethel Christian 25

Tahquitz 53, Indio 36

Temecula Valley 85, Temecula Prep 45

Thacher 57, Carpinteria 29

Thousand Oaks 92, Ventura 53

Victor Valley 69, Maywood Academy 16

Village Christian 95, San Fernando Valley Academy 24

Vista del Lago 59, West Valley 43

Vistamar 61, Trinity Classical Academy 57

Walnut 61, Capistrano Valley 46

Westlake 55, Golden Valley 48

Westminster La Quinta 61, Katella 45

Whitney 64, United Christian Academy 28

Woodbridge 65, Villa Park 56

INTERSECTIONAL

Alemany 75, Chatsworth 56

Buchanan 69, Laguna Beach 27

Delphi Academy 41, Reseda 40

Glendora 51, La Costa Canyon 45

LA Marshall 54, Salesian 48

North Torrance 53, Narbonne 41

Oakwood 99, South Gate 23

Palos Verdes 86, Downtown Magnets 39

Santa Monica 66, LA University 33

Washington Prep 86, Gardena Serra 55

Victor Valley 69, Maywood Academy 16

GIRLS

CITY SECTION

Animo Robinson 50, Animo Bunche 18

Birmingham 68, Granada Hills Kennedy 61

Carson 40, Bell 21

Community Charter 44, Reseda 26

Franklin 47, Roybal 3

Hawkins 47, Horace Mann UCLA Community 8

LACES d. Iovine and Young Center, forfeit

Lakeview Charter 26, Huntington Park 11

LA Wilson 30, Roosevelt 7

MSAR 24, East Valley 11

Northridge Academy 89, Monroe 10

Orthopaedic 27, Foshay 21

Port of Los Angeles 51, Rancho Dominguez 44

Torres 47, Animo De La Hoya 17

Math & Science College Prep 44, Marquez 36

Venice 50, Gardena 10

West Adams 37, Contreras 21

SOUTHERN SECTION

Aliso Niguel 41, Trabuco Hills 39

Arroyo 37, Azusa 16

Arroyo Valley 35, Rim of the World 12

Ayala 40, Rancho Verde 22

Barstow 54, Pacific 28

Beckman 58, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 50

Big Bear 27, Rancho Mirage 13

Bishop Diego 62, Santa Barbara 18

Bolsa Grande 49, NOVA Academy 17

Buena Park 56, San Dimas 30

Burbank 62, Pilibos 59

Calabasas 55, St. Mary’s Academy 7

California Military Institute 28, Redlands Adventist Academy 19

Colton 40, Norte Vista 22

Corona Santiago 53, Westminster 13

Crossroads 59, El Segundo 42

Diamond Ranch 34, Covina 28

Duarte 45, Larchmont Charter 30

El Rancho 46, Sierra Vista 43

Fillmore 63, Castaic 38

Flintridge Prep 61, Murrieta Valley 23

Fontana 42, Yucca Valley 25

Fullerton 59, Rancho Alamitos 34

Glendora 55, Hillcrest 39

Golden Valley 54, Inglewood 18

Great Oak 54, Liberty 29

Heritage 66, Paloma Valley 20

Holy Martyrs Armenian 42, Hart 31

Indian Springs 41, La Quinta 37

Irvine 38, Costa Mesa 37

JSerra 64, Torrance 23

Jurupa Hills 58, Cathedral City 5

Jurupa Valley 47, Bloomington 9

Keppel 46, Anaheim Canyon 41

Laguna Beach 45, Placentia Valencia 41

Linfield Christian 58, Elsinore 33

Los Altos 73, Temescal Canyon 42

Los Amigos 59, Garden Grove Santiago 9

Los Osos 73, Palm Desert 31

Lynwood 71, St. Anthony 56

Mayfair 36, Perris 18

Moorpark 67, Palmdale 21

Newbury Park 59, Simi Valley 19

Norco 34, La Sierra 26

Norwalk 48, San Gabriel 17

Notre Dame Academy 43, Vistamar 24

Palm Springs 53, Citrus Valley 45

Pasadena Poly 68, Flintridge Sacred Heart 25

Quartz Hill 60, Desert Christian 41

Ramona 49, San Jacinto 39

Rancho Cucamonga 51, Claremont 39

San Clemente 71, Tesoro 51

San Juan Hills 35, La Serna 30

Santa Maria 50, Carpinteria 41

Saugus 68, Santa Maria St. Joseph 64

South Hills 36, Schurr 30

Southlands Christian 58, Liberty Christian 5

St. Genevieve 56, Rosemead 34

St. Monica Academy 53, PACS 23

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 65, Alhambra 14

Tahquitz 48, Santa Rosa Academy 16

Temecula Prep 43, Orange Vista 23

Temecula Valley 69, Escondido Charter 52

Temple City 48, Pasadena 42

University Prep 42, Excelsior Charter 12

Villa Park 64, Troy 30

West Covina 51, San Marino 24

Westlake 43, Louisville 41

Whitney 40, Cajon 33

YULA 56, Buckley 9

INTERSECTIONAL

Bakersfield Centennial 58, Lancaster 31

Silver Valley 78, Baker 7

LA28 hopes to sell more tickets for the 2028 Games than any other Olympic organizing committee in history, and the private group launched a fundraising campaign Thursday to help keep those tickets accessible to local fans.

The fundraising effort invites local sports teams, philanthropists and partners to fund ticket donations that will go to local organizations that will distribute tickets within their communities. The Rams are the inaugural partners, donating $5 million to the campaign.

“The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are for everyone,” LA28 president Casey Wasserman said in a statement. “This program is about making sure that the people who live, work and contribute to the spirit of Los Angeles can access the Games taking place in their hometown. We’re incredibly thankful to Stan Kroenke and the Rams for being the first to step up for the people of their city. This is true partnership in action, and we look forward to welcoming others for this meaningful initiative.”

Registration for tickets will open in January and single tickets will start at $28. Amid concerns about skyrocketing prices for sporting events, LA28 said it will not use dynamic pricing that is common for large sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup.

Tickets for the FIFA World Cup coming to Canada, Mexico and the United States next year will start at $60 for some group-stage matches and climb to $6,730, the international soccer governing body said this year. Excluding the opening or closing ceremonies, tickets for the Paris Games ranged between 24 euros (about $27) and 950 euros ($1,097).

Leading up to the Games, the Paris organizing committee set aside more than 1 million tickets at 24 euros each and ensured half of the tickets on sale to the general public would be 50 euros or less. Hoping to keep the Games relatively affordable to fans, Paris 2024 used an “adapted pricing policy” that aimed to use the 15% of the tickets offered at the highest rates to allow the millions of lower-priced tickets.

The Paris Games sold a record 12 million tickets for the Olympics and Paralympics, which helped the organizing committee blow past its initial ticketing and hospitality revenue estimate by $365 million.

LA28 organizers expect to make 14 million tickets available for the largest Olympics in history and the first Paralympics in L.A.

After fans register for the ticket lottery beginning in January, purchasing windows will open that spring. Fans living near Olympic venue cities will have access to presale opportunities.

The Olympics are spread across more than 40 venues, with most clustered in L.A., Long Beach, Inglewood and Carson. Southern California residents and those living in Oklahoma City where softball and canoe slalom events will take place who are selected for the presale window will have access to all tickets for all venues.

Tickets for the Paralympics will go on sale in 2027.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

MONDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

CITY SECTION

Banning 75, Santee 46

Bell 57, East College Prep 31

Carson 59, South East 37

Downtown Magnets 77, Contreras 27

Eagle Rock 54, Verdugo Hills 51

Foshay 82, Rise Kohyang 16

Gertz-Ressler 70, AHSA 25

Harbor Teacher 27, NOVA Academy 4

Hollywood 100, Chavez 29

LA University 69, Mendez 24

Manual Arts 38, Fremont 34

New Designs University Park 44, Lakeview Charter

Sherman Oaks CES 62, Gardena 61

Sun Valley Magnet 77, Community Charter 43

Torres 77, Aspire Ollin 22

West Adams 58, Animo Robinson 43

SOUTHERN SECTION

ACE 58, Lucerne Valley 19

AGBU 65, Riverside Prep 43

Anaheim Canyon 83, Irvine University 43

Beaumont 79, Grand Terrace 25

Beckman 52, Lakewood 50

Bishop Amat 84, Firebaugh 61

Bonita 61, St. Anthony 49

Brea Olinda 61, El Toro 43

Buckley 64, YULA 35

California 72, Whittier Christian 56

Camarillo 84, Hueneme 38

Canyon Country Canyon 65, Antelope Valley 28

Carter 90, Norco 75

Cathedral 59, Lancaster 44

Cerritos 87, Savanna 51

Chino Hills 62, Dana Hills 41

Citrus Valley 63, Colton 33

Compton 96, Compton Early College 6

Corona 78, Heritage 46

Crean Lutheran 85, Calvary Baptist 43

Damien 89, Sunny Hills 42

Duarte 81, Downey Calvary Chapel 32

El Modena 66, Katella 44

Excelsior Charter 74, Barstow 70

Fairmont Prep 71, Linfield Christian 42

Foothill Tech 53, Trinity Classical Academy 49

Fullerton 53, Glendora 48

Glenn 34, Lennox Academy 25

Highland 67, Buena Park 48

Holy Martyrs Armenian 80, San Marino 74

Hoover 79, Workman 11

Inglewood 125, Lynwood 37

JSerra 75, Troy 42

La Habra 81, Whittier 36

La Serna 65, Don Lugo 40

Leuzinger 64, Riverside King 60

Long Beach Wilson 61, Downey 60

Malibu 53, El Segundo 41

Mira Costa 85, Torrance 70

Murrieta Valley 69, Temecula Prep 65

Newbury Park 73, Buena 28

Newport Harbor 53, Irvine 47

North Torrance 51, Eastside 47

Orange 63, Samueli Academy 30

Orange Lutheran 93, Oakwood 75

Orange Vista 87, Twentynine Palms 39

Palmdale 66, Rosamond 63

Pioneer 69, Anaheim 51

Placentia Valencia 82, Oxford Academy 75

Rancho Alamitos 34, Magnolia 24

Redlands 67, La Quinta 35

Riverside Poly 73, Victor Valley 33

Rosemead 45, Azusa 33

Rubidoux 51, Loma Linda Academy 46

San Jacinto Valley Academy 75, Banning 62

Santa Ana 68, Magnolia Science Academy 53

Santa Ana Valley 66, Ganesha 61

Santa Margarita 89, Temecula Valley 38

Santa Rosa Academy 69, Redlands Adventist Academy 51

Service 100, United Christian Academy 18

Sierra Vista 55, Northview 40

Southlands Christian 43, El Monte 35

St. Bernard 81, Claremont 56

St. Margaret’s 82, Tarbut V’ Torah 61

Sultana 60, Big Bear 52

Summit Leadership Academy 65, Hesperia Christian 47

Tehachapi 63, Paraclete 50

Temple City 51, Gabrielino 44

Trabuco Hills 86, Whitney 51

Valencia 47, Heritage Christian 44

Vista del Lago 63, Bloomington 43

Webb 91, Navies Bridge 27

Wiseburn Da Vinci 73, Oak Park 56

Woodbridge 71, Quartz Hill 66

INTERSECTIONAL

Crenshaw 56, Edgewood 32

Crespi 81, Cleveland 44

de Toledo 54, Canoga Park 41

Edison 65, Rancho Dominguez 58

Fairfax 45, Long Beach Cabrillo 44

Grace 49, Monroe 34

Oaks Christian 88, San Fernando 50

Ontario Christian 75, Maywood Academy 21

Salesian 83, Sotomayor 31

Santa Monica 77, Los Angeles 31

Shalhevet 64, Granada Hills Kennedy 32

South Pasadena 77, Franklin 43

St. Monica 65, Math & Science College Prep 58

Templeton 76, Coastal Christian 60

Triumph Charter 53, Newbury Park Adventist 33

Village Christian 82, El Camino Real 34

Villa Park 92, South Gate 26

Washington 89, Lawndale 49

West Torrance 64, Venice 55

GIRLS

CITY SECTION

Community Charter 29, Sun Valley Magnet 20

Diego Rivera 33, Sotomayor 26

Foshay 35, Rise Kohyang 5

Granada Hills Kennedy 48, Arleta 37

Harbor Teacher 73, Huntington Park 11

Hollywood 38, Chavez 18

Lakeview Charter 37, Canoga Park 17

Math & Science College Prep 29, USC-MAE 15

Orthopaedic 26, East Valley 14

Rancho Dominguez 32, Dymally 13

RFK Community 55, Lincoln 32

Sherman Oaks CES 58, Sylmar 51

Torres 37, Aspire Ollin 21

West Adams 48, Animo Robinson 43

SOUTHERN SECTION

Alemany 47, Wiseburn Da Vinci 38

Aliso Niguel 59, St. Margaret’s 53

Arcadia 60, Rosemead 16

Arroyo 43, Alhambra 23

Ayala 36, Riverside North 13

Baldwin Park 56, Bassett 12

Bishop Amat 63, Fullerton 28

Bolsa Grande 44, Norwalk 43

Bonita 45, Palm Desert 34

Buena Park 62, Vista Murrieta 37

Carter 72, Pacific 9

Citrus Valley 62, San Gorgonio 20

Corona 32, Murrieta Valley 26

El Rancho 53, Apple Valley 46

El Toro 56, Edison 39

Flintridge Prep 63, Chino Hills 30

Glendora 75, Nogales 11

Glenn 31, Lennox Academy 12

Heritage 67, Diamond Bar 19

Hesperia 56, Riverside Poly 44

Hoover 43, Workman 20

Indian Springs 36, Arroyo Valley 25

Indio 39, Brawley 33

JSerra 67, El Dorado 31

Laguna Beach 45, Brea Olinda 38

La Habra 29, Saddleback 5

La Quinta 58, Rim of the World 3

La Salle 61, La Canada 29

La Serna 41, Yorba Linda 37

La Sierra 24, Mayfair 21

Long Beach Wilson 55, Gahr 32

Los Altos 53, Cajon 31

Marymount 48, Pasadena Marshall 31

Mission Viejo 22, Irvine University 9

Monrovia 37, Azusa 18

Norco 42, Perris 19

Northwood 64, Laguna Hills 23

Oak Park 68, Santa Maria St. Joseph 62

Oaks Christian 69, Moorpark 25

Palm Springs 62, Citrus Hill 11

Pasadena Poly 53, Temple City 31

Pilibos 62, Milken 33

Placentia Valencia 55, Oxford Academy 42

Ramona 64, Hillcrest 45

Rancho Alamitos 20, Ocean View 18

Rialto 54, Anaheim Canyon 30

Rowland 64, Ridgecrest Burroughs 47

San Bernardino 47, Upland 36

San Clemente 98, Hacienda Heights Wilson 60

San Dimas 53, Loma Linda Academy 43

San Jacinto Valley Academy 45, Banning 15

San Juan Hills 59, La Palma Kennedy 45

Santa Monica 42, El Segundo 29

Saugus 49, Chaminade 46

Schurr 47, Santa Ana 13

Silver Valley 54, Western Christian 49

Southlands Christian 32, El Monte 20

St. Genevieve 67, San Gabriel Academy 29

St. Monica Academy 71, Legacy Christian Academy 40

Tesoro 56, California 22

Thousand Oaks 53, Dos Pueblos 39

Trinity Classical Academy 63, Oxnard Pacifica 46

Troy 58, Corona Santiago 34

Twentynine Palms 59, Barstow 14

Ventura 74, Camarillo 49

Villa Park 70, Westminster 10

Vista del Lago 58, Bloomington 8

Walnut 50, Covina 9

Webb 39, PAL Academy 7

West Covina 71, Sierra Vista 62

Westlake 83, Palmdale 23

Westminster La Quinta 34, Garden Grove Pacifica 16

Whitney 58, Temescal Canyon 48

Woodbridge 63, Magnolia 16

Yucca Valley 52, Colton 29

INTERSECTIONAL

El Camino Real 58, Buena 28

Northridge Academy 54, Simi Valley 33

Quartz Hill 62, Vaughn 10

University Prep 36. Boron 30

With heavy rain expected this weekend, the chance for high school football players in Los Angeles to run, tackle and enjoy playing in the mud is more than possible. There’s eight City Section teams hosting playoff games Friday night with grass fields that have little grass left.

That means fun times ahead.

“It’s not going to be pretty,” Venice coach Angelo Gasca said of his field’s condition for a game against Franklin.

The coaches might not like mud, but Gasca said his players are excited.

“Everyone is looking forward to it,” Gasca said.

San Pedro, Venice, Eagle Rock, Cleveland, San Fernando, Santee, Jefferson and Wilson have either not changed their fields into all-weather turf or chose to keep grass. Eagle Rock next season is switching to all-weather, so coach Andy Moran might have a final home game in the mud against Dorsey.

San Pedro lost to Eagle Rock in the rain in 2022. Pirates coach Corey Walsh has not forgotten. He prepared with wet footballs in practice this week for Friday’s game against Crenshaw.

“We’re super excited,” he said.

The people who aren’t excited are the bus drivers who will have to clean their buses; fans who will break out umbrellas, plastic hats and boots; parents who will have to clean uniforms; sportswriters trying to keep stats with no covering.

Yes, Southern California is not used to playing high school football in the rain. One of the most famous games was Servite beating Edison 16-6 in the 2009 Pac-5 championship game at Angels Stadium. The lead sentence in the Los Angeles Times story was, “Playing in conditions more suitable for sea gulls and ducks.”

Look for ducks and mud on Friday night.

LILY Allen looked incredible as she ditched her bra in a see-through dress at the Hunger Games premiere.

It comes after Lily, 40, released her ‘revenge’ album, West End Girl last month and on the record, she appeared to accuse her ex David Harbour of having an affair with a woman she calls Madeline.

Looking better than ever, Lily stepped out in a black crochet style dress which exposed her underwear.

The Smile hitmaker wore her hair in a chic updo and finished her look with flawless makeup.

She was joined by other celebrity faces on the red carpet for The Hunger Games: On Stage The Global Stage Premiere at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre.

TV personality and Loose Women‘s Myleene Klass, 47, dazzled in sparkly shorts, sheer tights, platform heels and a black turtle neck jumper.

HOT TIP

Lily Allen reveals heating gadget that stops her “freezing” — and it’s 30% off

MOVING ON

David Harbour lands huge new movie role after ex Lily Allen’s ‘revenge’ album

EastEnders star Jessica Plummer was also in attendance and looked trendy in blue denim jeans and chunky boots.

The stars were there for the first-ever live adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ acclaimed dystopian saga.

LILY’S HEARTBREAK

Stranger Things star David got married to singer Lily, 40 in Las Vegas in 2020 before moving from London to the US.

However, in December friends confirmed they had split after living “separate lives” for months.

The Smile crooner allegedly found his “secret profile” on a dating app.

David has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, after Lily dropped ‘revenge’ album West End Girl last month.

On the album, Lily appeared to accuse her ex of having an affair with a woman named Madeline, as mentioned in songs Tennis and Madeline.

On the track Tennis, Lily sings: “So I read your text, and now I regret it.

“I can’t get my head round how you’ve been playing tennis. If it was just sex I wouldn’t be jealous

“You won’t play with me and who the f*** is Madeline?”

Writing on social media, one fan said: “Madeline – the Becky with the Good Hair of West End Girl – doesn’t escape unscathed.”

Another said: “Lily Allen dropping a whole song confronting the other woman named Madeline.”

And, referencing Dolly Parton’s iconic hit, a third added: “We got Jolene, Becky with the Good Hair and now Madeline.”

David is still yet to address the claims made on the album but has previously mentioned “slip-ups” he’s made in recent years.

The Netflix star said in an interview: “I would change either everything or nothing.

moving fast

MAFS couple PREGNANT days after they get married as strangers on show

WEDDING RIFT

Adam Peaty’s family feud escalates as he BANS mum from wedding to Holly Ramsay

“You either accept your path completely and realise that even the pain and the slip-ups and the mistakes are all part of the journey, and that there’s truth and growth, wisdom and deeper empathy and connection in all that.

“It’s kind of like a house of cards, the minute you try to change one thing you kind of have to change it all.”

LA28 released the detailed daily competition schedule for the biggest Olympics in history on Wednesday, laying out every event for the 19 days of competition that will feature more than 11,000 athletes across 51 sports.

Along with being the largest in Games history, the 2028 Summer Olympics will be the first to include more female athletes than men. The schedule honors the historic moment for women in sports by showcasing the women’s 100-meter final at the Coliseum as the primetime, marquee event on the first official day of competition on July 15, 2028.

“The reason we’re throwing out the women’s 100 meters on the first day is because we want to come on these Games with a bang,” Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and head of Games delivery, said on a conference call. “And likely that race will be among the most watched of all the races in the Games. We just want to start that Day 1 with a massive, massive showcase of the fastest females in the world.”

The women’s 100-meter final will punctuate Day 1 competition that will feature eight women’s finals, the most for a single day at the Olympics. The men’s 100-meter final will follow on Day 2.

Scheduling the women’s final on Day 1 will require the top athletes to run up to three, 100-meter races in one day as opposed to putting qualifying on a separate day as the semifinals and finals. Olympic organizers presented the idea to athlete commissions within LA28 and through World Athletics. While some preferred to keep the status quo for the women’s 100 meter, Janet Evans, LA28’s chief athlete officer, said the majority of competitors simply wanted to know when their races would be so they could plan their training accordingly.

“I think a lot of athletes will be looking immediately at the schedule and planning their training around it,” said Evans, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming. “That was certainly top of mind as we made this decision.”

Making the schedule came with extensive consultation with athletes and international sport federations. Organizers considered the sun position for diving, which will be held outdoors at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. They wanted to ensure that fans waiting to enter arenas wouldn’t be left in the sun during a mid-day competition. Weary of heat affecting horses in Santa Anita, they took care to schedule equestrian events for either early morning or evening sessions.

With track and field setting the stage in the first week, swimming competitions traditionally take place first were shifted to the second week to allow organizers to build an indoor swimming pool in SoFi Stadium after the venue helps host the opening ceremony on July 14.

But keeping with Olympic tradition, the marathon will still take place on the final weekend of the Games, with the women running at Venice Beach on Day 15 (July 29), and the men competing on Day 16 (July 30). As one of the final Olympic events, marathon medalists typically receive their medals during the closing ceremony, which will take place at the Coliseum on July 30, beginning at 6 p.m.

The 2028 Games are approaching major checkpoints with less than three years until the opening ceremony. The Paralympic competition schedule will be released later this year. The volunteer program has already opened for community opportunities while applications for Games time volunteers will open in summer of 2026. Olympics ticket registration will open in January 2026.

Fans can begin registering for the ticket lottery in January and purchasing windows for those who are selected in the lottery will begin in spring 2026. Prices start at $28. With concerns about sky-high ticket prices for sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup or the World Series, Ferguson said LA28 will not use dynamic pricing, but didn’t state any specifics about the prices.

Ferguson said the organizing committee has 14 million tickets for the Olympics and Paralympics, which would break the ticket record set by Paris 2024. The biggest Olympics, and the most jam-packed schedule, would warrant that kind of attendance.

“What a great responsibility that is for us,” Ferguson said of hosting the biggest Olympics in history. “The care and concern that went into building this competition schedule — I will tell you that the folks on the team who did it really, truly, had a lot of sleepless nights because they wanted to get this right for every single athlete, regardless of sport.”

LA28 competition dates

Opening Ceremony: July 14
3×3 Basketball: July 17-22,
Archery: July 21-28
Artistic Gymnastics: July 15-25
Artistic Swimming: July 25-29
Athletics: July 15-30
Badminton: July 15-24
Baseball: July 13-19
Basketball: July 12-30
Beach Volleyball: July 15-29
BMX Freestyle: July 28-29
BMX Racing: July 15-16
Boxing: July 15-30
Canoe Slalom: July 14-22
Canoe Sprint: July 25-29
Cricket: July 12-29
Cycling Road: July 19-23
Cycling Track: July 25-30
Diving: July 25-30
Equestrian: July 15-29
Fencing: July 15-23
Flag Football: July 15-22
Football (Soccer): July 12-29
Golf: July 19-29
Handball: July 12-28
Hockey (Field): July 12-29
Judo: July 15-22
Lacrosse: July 24-29
Modern Pentathlon: July 15-18
Mountain Bike: July 15-18
Open Water Swimming: July 17-18
Rhythmic Gymnastics: July 27-29
Rowing: July 15-22
Rowing Coastal Beach Sprints: July 24-25
Rugby Sevens: July 12-18
Sailing: July 16-28
Shooting: July 15-25
Skateboarding: July 18-27
Softball: July 23-29
Sport Climbing: July 24-29
Squash: July 15-24
Surfing: July 15-23
Swimming: July 22-30
Table Tennis: July 22-30
Taekwondo: July 26-29
Tennis: July 19-28
Trampoline Gymnastics: July 21
Triathlon: July 15-20
Volleyball: July 15-30
Water Polo: July 12-23
Weightlifting: July 25-29
Wrestling: July 24-30
Closing Ceremony: July 30

A HUGE car race track, retro arcade games and private Singpods – it certainly doesn’t sound like your classic pub?

Calling itself the ‘modern playhouse for Battersea,’ it recently reopened after a £1million refurbishment and I was one of the first to go down.

Formerly known as the Four Thieves, the ‘adult playground’ now called The Thieves, sits between Battersea and Clapham Common.

You can do everything you can do at a usual pub, like grab a cocktail, beer or bite to eat from their menu – from brunch to a hearty Sunday roast.

But beyond the pretty bar and plush velvet seating is also a plethora of other activities.

Let’s face it, the main event is upstairs inside The Thieves Gambit.

YULE DO

Travel expert reveals cheap UK holiday parks with Xmas breaks from £9pp a night

CHRIMBO WIN

Enter these travel comps before Xmas to win £2k holidays, ski trips & spa stays

Heading inside the arcade, you’re immediately greeted by a buzzy atmosphere, laughter, and of course, plenty of competitive jibes.

It’s slightly overwhelming at first because of the sheer amount of games – and the sound effects that go with them.

There’s air hockey, golf putting, Mario Kart, pool tables, virtual darts, basketball, and classic games like Pacman, Space Invaders, Tetris and Mortal Kombat.

Crazy Light was another favourite, buttons light up and you have to press them – the faster the better, obviously.

The main event though is the TRBO Raceway, previously called Moonshine Raceway, where players sit in gaming chairs and literally race cars around the track.

It might remind some of old Scalextric games – there’s even an MC hyping up drivers and if it’s possible, making everyone even more competitive.

It’s not easy either as I found out when coming last.

To play the games you need to add credit to your TRBO card which starts at £10 for 500 coins and you can top up throughout the night.

Downstairs in the basement is where you can sing your heart out inside the karaoke room.

If you fancy, you can book out a Singpod to privately belt out some ballads with your mates.

Not being much of a singer myself, this is one that I decided not to take on.

When you’re done with the games, head back down to the bar area where there are a host of live performances.

It’s not just a guy singing with a guitar either, I’m talking mega party vibes.

There will ABBA parties, Taylor Swift socials, cabaret shows, and themed brunches all under spinning disco balls and and flashing lights.

Coming up on the calendar are 70s dance parties to ‘Twisted Time Machine’ with tunes from the party eras, comedy nights, quizzes.

For guaranteed entry, time at the arcades, or a table for eating – make sure to book before you go.

Otherwise, happy playing!

moving fast

MAFS couple PREGNANT days after they get married as strangers on show

WEDDING RIFT

Adam Peaty’s family feud escalates as he BANS mum from wedding to Holly Ramsay

For more fun, check out the new adult-only indoor playground with pub games and prosecco-flavoured candyfloss to open in the UK.

And for when the sun is shining, check out the best riverside pubs across the UK including a moored boat and one ‘that feels like the south of France’.

Clarke was not so laidback. McGinn revealed that half-time of the Belarus match was the “wildest” he had ever seen the head coach.

After a record-breaking 72nd match in charge, Clarke said: “If you’d said at the start of this camp we’d come out with six points, everyone would’ve been really happy.

“But, I have to be honest, tonight I was really, really disappointed in my team.”

So how does he address that for arguably his most significant qualifiers to date?

Off the bench, Billy Gilmour subtly brought some control to Scotland’s play against Greece, who were threatening to run riot at Hampden for the second time in seven months.

But the injured Napoli midfielder will not be an option for Clarke in Athens, although he could return for the potential group decider with Denmark.

Fellow Serie A midfielder Lennon Miller, also capable of dictating and bringing composure to a game, will be missing as well after withdrawing injured.

Having faced 37 shots in two games at Hampden against Greece and Belarus, it is clear Scotland have been exposed in recent outings.

Clarke’s side rode their luck at times in their group opener in Denmark, but they looked a far more cohesive unit out of possession in a rigid 4-4-2 shape.

Christie, McGinn, Ferguson and Scott McTominay occupied a compact and energetic midfield four, with Dykes and Che Adams providing intense work rate and physicality as a forward pairing.

Bold decisions to not start Gilmour and Ben Gannon-Doak paid off as the Scots left Copenhagen with a well-earned point.

Knowing a draw would set up a winner-takes-all showdown with the Danes on Tuesday, might the Scotland boss revert to that formula in Greece?

This week, Lionsgate is betting that the odds will be in their favor when “The Hunger Games: On Stage” opens at London’s Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre.

The play, which is based on the young adult novel by Suzanne Collins and 2012 film that catapulted actor Jennifer Lawrence into the mainstream, is just the latest film-to-stage adaptation from Hollywood.

This isn’t a new playbook. After all, Disney revolutionized the space by adapting its animated films like “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” into Broadway musical hits. But it is one that studios are turning to again, particularly as they look to connect more deeply with audiences and expand the fan base of their franchises.

Last year, Universal Theatrical Group debuted a musical stage adaptation of the 1992 film “Death Becomes Her” on Broadway.

In addition to “The Hunger Games,” Lionsgate has several other theatrical shows in the works, including a stage adaptation of the 2017 film “Wonder” opening in Boston in December, as well as “Now You See Me Live” opening that same month at the Sydney Opera House.

Next year, there will be a stage version of “La La Land,” as well as a new production of the iconic classic “Dirty Dancing.” (Of course, the opposite is also happening, with “Wicked” as the most recent example of a book-to-stage-to-film pipeline.)

“When you look at the way that fans are engaging with entertainment, there are so many different mediums that are important now, and experiential is a big one,” Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate’s president of global products and experiences, said an interview. “With all of us spending so much time online and in digital mediums, the idea of that shared live experience in a theater is something that’s highly appealing.”

But getting “The Hunger Games” to the stage wasn’t easy — the process took almost seven years from the inception of the idea to first previews. As part of the show’s development, the producers also built a custom theater in London. Brown spoke with The Times about why the dystopian franchise was a good candidate for live theater and why communal experiences are so important.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

What made “The Hunger Games” ripe for the stage?

It’s an enduring story that has so much relevance to occurrences that happen in the world today. I think that there’s just a ton of cultural significance.

And what we know about “The Hunger Games” is that there’s always a new wave of fans that discover it. Now we’re seeing Gen Alpha reading the books and watching the movies, and of course, we have Gen Z fans and millennial fans, and parents from other generations who have been on the journey with their children. It’s a way to bring aspects of the book to life, maybe in a different interpretation, or to let fans be able to explore certain things in a greater depth than we were able to do on a movie screen.

What does a stage play do for audiences that, say, a series or ride does not?

When you’re seeing something live, we don’t have the tricks that we have behind a camera in a movie.

You have to really find ways to bring the audience on a journey, and you can’t hide anything. That’s part of the magic of the experience, and for fans to be there and be mesmerized by some of the things that we’re executing in real time on a stage with special effects and illusions and real people doing the stunt choreography and the stunt work right in front of you, I think that there’s a lot of value in that type of experience.

Does this allow you to reach different audiences than those who already saw the films?

Obviously, a lot of fans are interested, but I think theatergoers in general, who maybe haven’t been as exposed to “The Hunger Games” or aren’t super fans, are going to be interested from the theater side of it. There’s been a lot of buzz and excitement in London, in the theater world, knowing that we had a new theater being built.

In general, lots of of people want to engage with experiences. We’re seeing just a huge sort of upward trend in interest, particularly amongst Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. Someone who maybe has read the books but hasn’t seen the movie yet will come see the stage show and then watch the movie. And I think this idea of all of it feeding each other, depending on which entry point you choose, is a really interesting thing for us as a studio to think about.

Did the pandemic turbocharge interest in live entertainment?

It’s an interest in live stage and live entertainment, and the idea of getting out again, supporting the arts and supporting shared experiences. We’ve definitely seen, thankfully, a recovery and an upswing in that area.

How big of a business is the stage aspect of Lionsgate global products and experiences?

We have three shows opening before the end of this year, and about that number slated for next year. So it really is a very busy and active space for us, and I think more in the pipeline. We probably are spending about a third of our time in this space, and I don’t see that changing.

Stuff We Wrote

Film shoots

Number of the week

$80 million

After a sleepy October, Walt Disney Co. and 20th Century Studios’ “Predator: Badlands” conquered the box office this past weekend, grossing $40 million in the U.S. and Canada for a total of nearly $80 million worldwide.

The haul is the highest global opening for any film in “Predator” franchise history, surpassing 2018’s “The Predator,” which notched $73.5 million.

The strong start for the Elle Fanning-led “Predator: Badlands” provides a hopeful start for November’s theatrical fortunes. So far this year, domestic box office revenue is about $7.2 billion, up 3.1% compared with the previous year, according to Comscore. But when compared with pre-pandemic 2019, that number is still down 24.7%.

Finally …

My colleague, Malia Mendez, wrote about a TV writer who found a second career in ceramics after the slowdown in Hollywood left him out of work. His most popular workshop — Tattoo a Mug.

Kawhi Leonard will miss “the next few games” for the Clippers because of a sprained ankle, coach Tyronn Lue said.

Leonard missed his third straight game Saturday night when the Clippers hosted the Phoenix Suns.

Lue wasn’t precise about the nature of the 34-year-old Leonard’s injury or the length of his absence, but the coach said medical tests on Leonard’s ankle indicated the injury likely wouldn’t be a long-term problem.

The Clippers have home games Monday and Wednesday before they begin a stretch of seven straight road games over the following two weeks on Friday.

Leonard played in the first three games of the season for the Clippers, averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He scored 27 points while playing 37 minutes in the Clippers’ loss to Miami on Monday.

Injuries have repeatedly affected Leonard since the two-time NBA Finals MVP joined the Clippers in 2019. He missed the entire 2021-22 season while recovering from a serious right knee injury, and he missed the first 34 games of last season because of problems with the same knee.

I have been a diehard baseball fan for more than 60 years, and this year’s Dodger team is the toughest, gutsiest and most resilient team I have ever seen. Toronto is an absolutely fabulous baseball team, and would’ve beaten anybody else in all of baseball without much stress.

And as for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, that young man ought to be on Mt. Rushmore.

Let’s go for a three-peat in ‘26!

Drew Pomerance
Tarzana

No doubt about it. The best team won the World Series. The Dodgers found ways to win without great hitting. Their pitching and defensive skills exceeded our expectations. Thank you everyone for another amazing baseball season.

Cheryl Creek
Anaheim

How wonderful to see grown men acting like little boys during their victory celebration. While I am not a fan of the gyrations on the bases after a hit (even when way behind), the pure joy emanating from the players at the end was to be cherished. How sports enables us to forget our problems is what has made me a lifelong sports fan.

Mark Kaiserman
Santa Monica

Who would imagine that Games 6 and 7 would both end on double plays while the losing team had men in scoring position? One different swing of the bat would have reversed the outcome of the games and series. How suddenly agonizing and euphoric. How uniquely baseball!

Mel Spitz
Beverly Hills

The Toronto Blue Jay fans taunted Shohei Othani early in the series, “We don’t need you!” I guess they did!

Edward Jimenez
Whittier

Consideration should be given to incorporating the Japanese flag into the design of the 2025 World Series ring.

Greg Thompson
Chatsworth

It took until Games 6 and 7, but the 2025 World Series lineup needed to include Miguel Rojas.

Ken Feldman
Tarzana

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ haters and naysayers can take a seat. Whether it was confidence in the starting rotation, masterful management of the bullpen, being unafraid to tinker with the lineup or making brilliant defensive replacements, every lever Roberts pulled in Games 6 and 7 ultimately resulted in another championship.

Ron Yukelson
San Luis Obispo

As my fellow Monday morning baseball critics always say, “Dave Roberts is a genius. Mookie is great at short. Last year no starting pitchers. This year no bullpen.”

So many contributed big plays. Constant tension, excitement, tenacity and, ultimately, exhilaration. Thank you Dodgers for a playoffs and World Series for the ages. Encore!

Rafael Serna
Hacienda Heights

While we bask in the euphoria of the Dodgers’ World Series win, let’s not overlook but sing the praises to the last man standing! Without the heroics of Will Klein, there might not have been a Game 6 or a Game 7.

Stan Shirai
Torrance

The World Series finished on Dia de los Muertos, but our Dodgers lived to win again. Against all odds in Game 7, the Dodgers solidified a dynasty. What a game. What a series. What a team. So many clutch moments and players. This one will be enjoyed and cherished FOREVER.

Michael Lee Manous
San Dimas

A phrase that will never be used in the same sentence with Yoshinobu Yamamoto: “load management.”

Dave Ring
Manhattan Beach

Orel, meet Yoshi!

Brian Lipson
Beverly Hills

A look at two of this week’s top high school football playoff games in the Southland:

FRIDAY

Leuzinger (8-1) at Crean Lutheran (10-0), 7 p.m.

Leuzinger, the Bay League champions, has a top offensive line and an aggressive, hard-hitting defense that will try to contain Crean Lutheran’s athletic quarterback, Caden Jones, who has 29 touchdown passes. This Division 2 opener is part of a division loaded with tough first-round matchups. The pick: Leuzinger.

Laguna Beach (9-1) at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (5-5), 7 p.m.

Can Laguna Beach deal with Notre Dame’s huge offensive line? That’s the big question in this Division 3 playoff opener. Versatile quarterback Wyatt Brown has run for 19 touchdowns. If the Knights can throw around their weight, things will look good. Laguna Beach has talented junior quarterback Jack Hurst, who has 41 touchdown passes. The pick: Notre Dame.