Remember when people were wondering what might happen to the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame basketball team after All-American Tyran Stokes left for a new high school in Washington?
What’s happened is that the Knights (20-6) went into the weight room, got stronger to make up for losing Stokes’ rebounding prowess and are very much alive in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs after defeating La Mirada 76-60 on Wednesday night in their opening game of Pool D. Next up is St. John Bosco at home Tuesday night.
Players such as Zach White, Josiah Nance, Ilan Niklov and Zion Lanier are showing off their muscles. Even guard NaVorro Bowman, who scored 25 points, is using his strength to draw fouls and head to the free-throw line.
Andrew Castro scored 17 points for La Mirada, which had won 14 consecutive games.
Santa Margarita 81, Damien 71: The Eagles won their pool play opener at home. Kaiden Bailey finished with 21 points.
Sierra Canyon 71, Crespi 64: Jordan Mize scored 16 points, Brandon McCoy and Brannon Martinsen 15 and Maxi Adams 14 to power top-seeded Sierra Canyon to an Open Division win.
Redondo Union 74, Etiwanda 31: SJ Madison led the way with 20 points for Redondo Union.
Windward 77, Bishop Montgomery 61: Davey Harris finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Windward.
JSerra 72, Pasadena 66: The Lions won in overtime. Jaden Bailes had 21 points.
Orange Lutheran 79, Arcadia 74: Josh King scored 22 points for Orange Lutheran.
Inglewood 102, Tesoro 70: Jason Crowe Jr. finished with 34 points for Inglewood.
St. Bernard 63, La Habra 51: Chris Rupert led St. Bernard with 14 points.
Saugus 65, Culver City 64: Braydon Harmon came through with 44 points and 14 rebounds for Saugus. The Centurions came back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Brentwood 61, Long Beach Poly 55: AJ Okoh delivered a 31-point performance for the Eagles, who will face Fairmont Prep on the road Friday. Fairmont Prep eiminated Crossroads.
Loyola 72, Los Alamitos 64: Deuce Newt had 24 points for the Cubs.
Eastside 65, Redlands East Valley 61: Christian Duran led Eastside with 18 points.
Rolling Hills Prep 50, St. Monica 47: Kawika Suter had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Rolling Hills Prep.
Oakwood 72, San Bernardino 69: Dylan Williams had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Bryce Fletcher added 18 points for Oakwood.
Rancho Christian 78, St. Francis 59: With 7-4 center Cherif Millogo not playing, St. Francis was beaten in its playoff opener. Luke Paulus had 17 points.
Long Beach Millikan 79, Thousand Oaks 34: Freshman guard Quali Giran had 21 points.
Murrieta Mesa 71, Viewpoint 58: Murrieta Mesa advances in the Division 3 playoffs.
MIra Costa 57, Oaks Christian 56: Paxx Bell scored 15 points for Mira Costa.
Fairfax 66, Birmingham 58: Chris Stokes scored 22 points to help the Lions upset No. 3-seeded Birmingham in the City Section Open Division playoffs. Fairfax will face Cleveland, a 57-52 winner over Narbonne, in the semifinals on Feb. 21. Charlie Adams scored 23 points for Cleveland.
Palisades 72, El Camino Real 45: Top-seeded Palisades received 23 points from EJ Popoola and will face San Pedro in an Open Division semifinals on Feb. 21 at L.A. Southwest College.
San Pedro 51, Washington Prep 47: The Pirates won on the road to reach the Open Division semifinals. AJ Bobich made four free throws in the final 30 seconds and finished with 10 points. Chris Morgan led the way with 15 points and Ricky Alonso had 12.
Sun Valley Poly 44, Westchester 36: The Parrots eliminated defending City Open Division champion Westchester in a Division I opener. Kevin Lara scored 15 points for Poly.
Carson 68, LACES 53: Mekhi Williams had 28 points and Blake McCall 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Colts in a City Division II game.
Crenshaw 69, Grant 58: Lauran Coleman had 20 points for the Cougars in a Division I opener.
Eagle Rock 53, University 51: Skylar Melton scored 27 points for University in the Division II loss.
STRESSED about your half-term family getaway stretching your bank account? Well, many hotels offer free stays for kids.
Whether you are heading out of the country and need a hotel near an airport or are just heading on a staycation, hotels can be expensive when you add on the kids.
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Down Hall, Bishop’s Stortford, is just 15 minutes from Stansted AirportCredit: Booking.com
But there are a number of hotels all over the UK that offer free kids stays making it more affordable.
Some even offer free meals and other perks too…
Down Hall, Bishop’s Stortford
Named AA Hotel of the Year, Down Hall nestled in the English countryside is just 45 minutes from central London and 15 minutes from Stansted Airport.
The hotel is an Italianate mansion with a historydating back to the 11th century.
Inside, there are 98 individually designed bedrooms, including ones with views of the garden.
There is also an on-site restaurant called The Garden Room, which uses ingredients from its own vegetable garden.
Visitors can head to the Eden Spa too, a 24-hour gym, tenniscourts and 11 acres of woodland.
Kids stay free between February 14 and 22, based on two adults and two children under 12 years old sharing.
It is worth noting though that the spa facilities are not included.
From £212 per room.
Mallory Court, Leamington Spa
Surrounded by gardens, Mallory Court Hotel is pretty to just look at.
Then, once inside, there are 42 individually styled bedrooms with a traditional country house feel.
There is a spa as well with a pool and gym.
For a bite to eat, you can head to The Warwick which is run by MasterChef winner Stu Deeley.
Over February half-term, children under the age of 10 can stay for free when sharing a room with an adult.
And included in the stay is bed and breakfast accommodation and designated family pool times.
To benefit from the offer, you must call to book.
Mallory Court Hotel has a restaurant run by MasterChef winner Stu DeeleyCredit: Booking.com
Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish, Devon
Set in 19 acres of woodlands, the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish, Devon boasts spectacular views of the sea.
Nearby there are sandy beaches to explore, which can be reached via a short walk.
There’s lots to do at the hotel as well, including an indoor and an outdoor pool, and both indoor and outdoor play areas for children.
During the half-term break, kids under 10-years-old stay free when sharing with two adults.
Rooms start from around £123 per night.
The Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish overlooks the seaCredit: Langstone Cliff Hotel
The Grove, Watford
If you fancy something a little more luxury, The Grove is a great option.
The five-star hotel is just 18 miles from London and used to be the home of the Earls of Clarendon.
In total, there are 214 rooms and suites, an 18-hole golf course, a spa and a number of restaurants.
Over half term, kids stay free when sharing with parents and get breakfast at The Glasshouse, two hours of free childcare for kids aged two to nine, use of the Sequoia Spa and use of Asher’s Woodland Trails.
The offer runs from February 13 to 22 and costs from £550 per room.
For something more luxury, head to The Grove where you will get two hours of free childcareCredit: The Grove
The Fish Hotel, Broadway, The Cotswolds
This back-to-nature retreat looks over the village of Broadway in the Cotswolds.
The hotel has 500 acres to explore, as well as a number of activities and well-being classes.
There are a range of rooms to choose from too, such as treehouses, suites and huts.
When it comes to having something to eat there are a couple of options on site, including a bar and lounge and Hook – a seafood-focused restaurant.
Kids stay for free between February 13 and 22 with rooms costing from £340 based on two adults and a child sharing.
The Fish Hotel overlooks the picturesque village of Broadway in the CotswoldsCredit: The Fish Hotel
Britannia Hotels, various locations
Britannia Hotels has locations across the country and between February 13 and 22, kids under 14-years old stay for free when sharing a room with two adults.
Breakfast is included and so are kids meals.
Though if you stay on a Saturday night at Royal Court Hotel; Prince of Wales Hotel Southport; Britannia Airport Hotel Manchester; Norbreck; Castle Hotel Blackpool; Grand Hotel Scarborough; Grand Hotel Llandudno; Carrington House Hotel Bournemouth or Grand Hotel Blackpool – there will be a £10 supplement.
Otherwise, rooms cost from £59 per night.
Britannia Hotels have locations across the UK with prices starting from £59 a nightCredit: Britannia Hotels
The Swan at Lavenham, Sudbury
Inside a 15th century building, The Swan at Lavenham is a cosy hotel with traditional oak beams and large fireplaces.
There are 46 rooms to choose from, with period features in each.
Inside, there are classic rooms and executive suites, as well as a bar, restaurant and terrace.
Over the February half-term, kids under 12-years-old stay for free and also get a Cornish breakfast each morning of their stay.
There are two room types in the offer to choose from.
Firstly, the classic room which costs from £110 based on one adult and one child sharing.
Or, secondly, the executive suites, costing from £203 based on two adults and two children sharing.
The Alverton in Cornwall is a Grade-II listed hotel with a cosy feelCredit: Alamy
Holiday Inn, various locations
Holiday Inns are great for budget travel or if you are heading off on holiday but want to stay near the airport before your flight.
Perfect for half-term trips out of the country, kids under the age of 17-years-old stay for free during the school break when sharing a room with up to two adults.
Kids under 12-years-old also get free meals during their stay.
Prices vary depending on Location, but as an example you could stay at Holiday Inn London Bexley for £68 per night.
Holiday Inns are all over the country and provide a great cheaper stayCredit: John Kirkby – Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow
The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands,
The four-star Belfry Hotel & Resort sits in 550 acres of countryside and is well-known for its world-class golf.
The hotel features over 300 rooms, as well as a Fire and Ice spa with a 12-room thermal journey, restaurants such as Ryder Grill and Sam’s Club House.
If you are heading on holiday from Birmingham Airport, the hotel is ideal to stay at the night before as it is less than 20 minutes away.
To get the offer, you will need to use the promo code ‘FAMILYPROMO’.
Rooms cost from £259 per night and include breakfast, buffet dinner, kids’ activities and access to the leisure club (but not spa).
The Belfry is a perfect choice if you are looking to stay near Birmingham AirportCredit: The Belfry
Carlyon Bay Hotel, Cornwall
With 86 luxury rooms, Carlyon Bay Hotel in Cornwall is a great spot for families as it has a large entertainment programme.
There’s magic shows and an appearance from Chloe the Clown…
For the adults, there is also a golf course and a large spa.
Kids under 15-years-old stay for free between February 14 and 22, with a room and breakfast costing from £85 per night.
Kids under 15-years-old also get to eat for free during their stay.
Included in your stay is access to the supervised Funzone, a complimentary round of golf and use of the spa and leisure facilities which features an indoor pool.
A room and breakfast costs from £85 per person per night (so from £170 per night for two adults and two children).
In other hotel news, here’s 12 of our favourite UK hotels to visit this year – from cosy farm retreats to £55 all-inclusives in London.
