honors

On a night honoring JuJu Watkins, maybe the school’s most accomplished athlete ever, the Sierra Canyon boys’ basketball team did her alma mater proud by holding off Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 78-74 on Friday in a Mission League showdown in Chatsworth.

The game aired live on ESPN2 and the host Trailblazers relished the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage, showing why they deserve to be ranked among the best in the country.

Brandon McCoy led the way with 21 points, including several dunks, Brannon Martinsen scored 18, North Carolina-bound Maximo Adams had 17 and Jordan Mize added 12 for Sierra Canyon, which trailed 33-28 at halftime.

A three-pointer by Mize capped a 9-0 run to start the third quarter.

Ranked No. 1 in the Southland by The Times, Sierra Canyon (15-1 overall, 2-0 in league) won its 10th consecutive game since its sole defeat to Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara on Dec. 6 at the Capital City Showcase in Washington, D.C.

NaVorro Bowman Jr. had a game-high 36 points, including a desperation heave from half court that pulled the Knights (13-6, 0-2) to within 55-50 entering the fourth quarter. He had 14 points in the first quarter, 21 by halftime, and sank six three-pointers. Zachary White added 14 for No. 6 Notre Dame, which was trying to rebound from a four-point loss to unranked Loyola in its league opener.

JuJu Watkins became the first Sierra Canyon athlete to have their jersey retired during a ceremony at halftime of Friday night’s Mission League boys’ basketball game in Chatsworth.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Watkins’ No. 12 jersey was retired in a moving ceremony at halftime, making her the first Trailblazer to be so honored. The 2021-22 girls’ basketball California Player of the Year is now a star at USC.

“What makes JuJu special isn’t what she did but how she did it,” said Sierra Canyon girls’ coach Alicia Komaki. “She gave her heart to this place, she left her legacy and this is a reminder of her excellence.”

Mize hopes his jersey will hang from the gym rafters one day.

“We talked about this being a big game and how there would be a big crowd,” he said. “I knew this was very important for JuJu, so I can’t let her down. We got it done but I think we’re still getting better.”

PETE Davidson has welcomed his first child with his girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, and shared the baby’s gender and special name.

Elsie revealed the happy news on Instagram on Thursday.

The model shared photos capturing the moments after the little one’s arrival, including the pair bonding with the newborn.

She announced in her caption that they welcomed their daughter, named Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, on December 12th.

“My best work yet, i am absolutely overflowing with love and gratitude and disbelief. – elsie

“Wu tang forever. – pete,” Elsie added in her caption.

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The baby’s name is a sweet nod to Pete’s New York City firefighter father, Scott Davidson, who died on September 11, 2001.

Fans took to the comments to congratulate the new parents and gush over her family moniker.

Elsie, 29, revealed her pregnancy in July with a funny Instagram post featuring ultrasound photos.

She humorously wrote in her caption, “Welp now everyone knows we had sex.”

An insider previously told The U.S. Sun that Elsie and Pete, 32, hoped to one day have a family together, and that the supermodel envisioned a life with the Saturday Night Live alum.

Pete had been vocal about wanting to become a father sooner rather than later, although he sympathized with his girlfriend for going through her pregnancy in the public eye.

During an August appearance on The Breakfast Club, the comic admitted that he “felt bad” for Elsie, who had to deal with many things in the limelight because of their relationship.

Pete has had a spotlight on his personal life since his string of high-profile romances.

They included a brief engagement to Ariana Grande in 2018, and a months-long relationship with Kim Kardashian, following her messy split from her ex-husband, Kanye West.

Pete has also made headlines for his impulsive purchase of a massive Staten Island Ferry with his former SNL co-star, Colin Jost.

The duo has faced numerous delays in their renovation plans since buying the ferry four years ago.

The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed in October that the $280,000 vessel is currently sitting decrepit and abandoned in a New York City harbor, and that both Pete and Colin have expressed regrets over the extravagant purchase.