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Harvard-Westlake gets key Mission League win over Sierra Canyon

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Harvard-Westlake gets key Mission League win over Sierra Canyon

Two-time defending state champion Harvard-Westlake is reaching peak form just as the playoffs beckon, and with Tuesday night’s 63-52 Mission League win over Sierra Canyon, the Wolverines (23-1) can look forward to plenty of games in Studio City as the likely No. 1 seed for the league tournament and Southern Section Open Division playoffs.

“Big win,” coach David Rebibo said.

The big development for the Wolverines has been that they’re now eight players deep with unsung players ready to contribute.

Against the Trailblazers (18-4, 4-1), it was Dominique Bentho contributing 11 points and Amir Jones 10 points. It was Isaiah Carroll getting nine rebounds. It was Cole Holden making two threes. Then there were the usual standouts. Nikolas Khamenia, the McDonald’s All-American, had 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Joe Sterling added 12 points.

“That’s the value of team,” Rebibo said. “On any given night, it could be anyone.”

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Bryce James of Sierra Canyon drives against Harvard-Westlake.

(Craig Weston)

Khamenia keeps finding way to contribute without scoring. He took two charges and twice passed to Carroll for layups in the second half.

“He’s an elite basketball player,” Rebibo said. “He’s the ultimate winner.”

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Sierra Canyon received a strong game from Bryce Cofield, who scored 22 points, and Bryce James added 11 points, but the Trailblazers made only three of 17 from three-point range.

“We prepare for anything,” Jones said. “We felt we were locked in. It’s good to have guys off the bench.”

Harvard-Westlake held a 25-16 halftime lead. Outside of Cofield, Sierra Canyon kept missing shot after shot, and there were few second-chance opportunities because of the Wolverines’ rebounding edge. Cofield had 10 of his team’s 16 points. James contributed a four-point play, one of only three Sierra Canyon players to score in the half. The Trailblazers were one for 10 from three-point range.

Next up are games at the Intuit Dome on Saturday, including Sierra Canyon taking on Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in a game to decide the No. 2 seed for a Mission League tournament that begins Sunday.

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Who are the Washington Generals? The Harlem Globetrotters’ archrival, and much more

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Who are the Washington Generals? The Harlem Globetrotters’ archrival, and much more

Editor’s note: Throughout the week, The Athletic highlighted the Harlem Globetrotters and their contributions to basketball, vision for entertainment and overall commitment to goodwill. This series will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 16.


The Washington Generals epitomize the notion of an underdog. That’s an easy reputation to earn with more than 18,000 losses compared to three wins on one’s résumé, but the Generals have been on the losing end time and time again when looking at their decades-long rivalry with the Harlem Globetrotters.

When it comes to one of America’s favorite exhibition games, the Generals are rarely viewed as “losers.” If anything, they are supporting cast members for a beloved Globetrotters team that focuses on one primary goal: entertaining the masses. The Globetrotters need an opponent. They need a team to defeat.

Why not the Generals?

“You’ve got to make them look good,” Generals guard Jordan Fuchs told The Athletic.

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That’s the job of a Washington General: to enhance what’s already on the table. The Globetrotters are the eye candy; somebody needs to make sure they receive the praise on the court. And because members of the Generals are so good at what they do, attending matchups between both teams provides a unique experience for fans.

Even if defeat is routinely inevitable for Washington — 1971 is a long time to taste defeat after defeat.


The Washington Generals often are the punchline of a Harlem Globetrotters joke. This 2019 photo shows the Globetrotters’ Angelo “Spider” Sharpless pulling the leg of the Generals’ Shaquille Burrell during a Las Vegas exhibition. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

It’s hard to explain the competitive value of knowing you’ll lose just about every basketball game you play. Imagine training your hardest, only to anticipate the scoreboard not tilting in your favor. The notion can be frustrating, right?

Or, to Fuchs, a former football and basketball athlete at Indiana University, games against the Globetrotters can be more than just what’s shown on the scoreboard.

“It’s a rewarding experience because I get to put smiles on everyone’s faces, even if I’m on the losing end,” Fuchs said. “Everyone enjoys it, and for me personally, I enjoy it because I get to play the game I love and I get to showcase my abilities.

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“I get to travel and meet amazing people. The network that I’ve accumulated from doing this is incredible. Different people in different states, different countries. It has been amazing.”

For the Generals, created in 1952 by Louis “Red” Klotz and considered the most futile team in sports history, there is always joy in knowing the next day could be the one when they end the skid. The team initially was meant to legitimately compete against the Globetrotters but eventually became the ultimate crash test dummy for its opponents donning red, white and blue on the hardwood.

Being a General requires a unique focus. The roster features skilled players who have to be ambitious enough to recognize the awareness of always being secondary in the show. No matter the circumstance, the goal is to always ensure the Globetrotters come out on top, even though fans will leave arenas impressed by displays of athleticism, 4-point shots and dynamic dunks coming from the team wearing green and yellow.

The Generals, in many ways, take on the role of the ultimate antagonists. Fuchs considers himself “the lead villain.” It’s a responsibility he takes very seriously, all for the spirit of entertainment.

“If you remove the outcome, you know we’re going to lose, but if you remove the outcome and just focus on the process and the game, you find joy in that,” he said.

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On Jan. 5, 1971, in a matchup in Martin, Tenn., the Generals — then playing as the New Jersey Reds — snapped a 2,495-game losing streak with a 100-99 victory over the Globetrotters. As the Globetrotters entertained the crowd, the Generals stormed ahead in the final seconds. Klotz made the game-winning basket as the buzzer sounded to give the Generals their most exciting victory in modern-day history. It was the first time in 14 years the Globetrotters had lost a matchup against their archrival.

After the game, Klotz, who died in 2014 at 92 years old, famously quipped that beating the Globetrotters “is like shooting Santa Claus,” but how did the Generals legend feel about finally being on the right side of the scoreboard?

“I think it was probably the best day of his whole entire life,” Bronwen O’Keefe, Globetrotters head of brand marketing and content, told The Athletic. “I can’t imagine the celebration and happiness that he had. He probably held on to that day for a very, very long time or through the rest of his life.

“We still count that day as being a very important moment in the history of the Globetrotters. You can’t talk about the history of the Globetrotters without talking about the Generals.”

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How the rivalry plays out has changed over the years. It’s been “good versus evil,” with the Globetrotters as the heroes and the Generals as the villains. There was even a masked General known as Cager who was the ultimate villain and played by multiple players. Other times, it’s simply the story of the underdog Generals trying to upend the Globetrotters.


Antics like this, against and not in favor of the Generals, have been happening for decades. (Don Emmert / AFP via Getty Images)

Given the lopsided nature of the rivalry, a question is why would someone want to play for the Generals?

For one, it is an opportunity to play professional basketball. The Generals aren’t simply props on the court; they’re real basketball players. Some have been scouted in the G League, some in the NBA Summer League, some internationally — just like some members of the Globetrotters.

One of the most famous names to play for the Generals is Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, who suited up for the Generals in the 1980s. Lieberman was the first woman to play for the Generals. Kayla Gabor is on the team now and is the second woman to play for the Generals. Gabor is a former all-conference guard from Division II Lake Erie College in Ohio, a leading scorer during the 2016-17 season for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“I’m a General, which is very unique,” Gabor said. “Nancy Lieberman, I believe, was 1977 to ’78, so for me, bringing back the female on the opponent’s side is a unique spotlight. I know in the past, we’re villainous and supposed to just be the enemy, but I always came in like, ‘OK, we don’t win every game, but I set personal goals.’ My personal goals are to get the crowd on my side.

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“I always like to try and find people out of the audience to be like, ‘Watch this!’ and hit a couple 3s in a row. I’ll do it for them. Seriously, it is motivation for me.”

The Generals, like the Globetrotters, practice and work on a variety of areas on the court. They travel wherever the Globetrotters travel, with equal accommodations.

“We all understand it’s a show, and maybe the youngest members of our audience don’t understand the full kind of weight or meaning or impact of that,” O’Keefe said. “But we also have to account for the fact that on both teams, these are real people, real athletes with real skills, and they’re playing professional basketball. We want to give them the opportunity to be able to show those skills off.”

There also remains the hope for Generals to be moved to the Globetrotters. It doesn’t happen often, but Latif “Jet” Rivers is a Globetrotter who started with the Generals (formerly known as the World All-Stars in 2013 and 2014) after playing college basketball at Wagner College in the early 2010s. Rivers was moved to the Globetrotters in 2017 after spending time on the opposing teams.

The Generals aren’t the stars of the show, but they are definitely an important part of Globetrotters history. Even with loss after loss, they’ve become fan favorites and role models for children.

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In the eyes of many, they are far from an underdog.

“It seriously is almost like a dream,” Gabor said. “There are a lot of eyes on us, but it’s a really good role to take on. It almost gives me a purpose in basketball that I never knew the sport would bring.”

“It’s just awesome to be a part of history, as well,” Fuchs added. “The history of the Globetrotters.”

— Shakeia Taylor contributed to this report.

(Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; photos courtesy of the Harlem Globetrotters)

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US, Canadian hockey stars get into numerous fights in opening seconds of 4 Nations rivalry after anthem boos

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US, Canadian hockey stars get into numerous fights in opening seconds of 4 Nations rivalry after anthem boos

Three fights broke out in the first nine seconds of a 4 Nations Face-Off game between the U.S. and Canada Saturday.

At the opening puck drop, Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S. and Canada’s Brandon Hagel didn’t wait to drop the gloves.

Just two seconds later, Matthew’s brother, Brady, went toe-to-toe with Sam Bennett, who is NHL teammates with Matthew with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Brady Tkachuk (top) of the U.S. fights Canada’s Sam Bennett (9) during the first period of 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.  (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

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That wasn’t all. After an opening rush into the Canadian zone, a scrap involving just about everyone broke out, and J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko got into a fight of their own.

The penalty boxes filled up, but cooler heads eventually prevailed.

The game was being played in Montreal, so the tensions in the crowd were already high. The “Star-Spangled Banner” was booed loudly despite pleas from the public-address announcer to “respect” both nations’ anthems.

Brandon Hagel

Brandon Hagel of Team Canada reacts after his fight with Matthew Tkachuk of Team United States (not in photo) during the first period of a 4 Nations Face-Off game at Bell Centre Feb. 15, 2025, in Montreal.  (Andrea Cardin/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Even NHL exec Bill Daly called it an “unfortunate situation” and hoped it would end.

This is the first time since 2016 that the U.S. and Canada are on the ice in a best-on-best format since 2016 in the World Cup of Hockey, which will return in 2028 after a 12-year hiatus.

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Both teams won their first games of the tournament, but the United States is ahead in the standings due to its win coming in regulation. Canada needed overtime to defeat Sweden Thursday.

TEAM USA STAR MATTHEW TKACHUK DELIVERS STERN ONE-LINER AFTER CANADIAN FANS BOO DURING AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

Canada got on the board first, with Connor McDavid lighting the lamp roughly 5½ minutes into the game. Jake Guentzel tied it up a few minutes later.

Connor McDavid after goal

Connor McDavid of Team Canada celebrates after scoring during the first period of a 4 Nations Face-Off game against the United States at Bell Centre Feb. 15, 2025, in Montreal.  (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

With a win, the Americans will clinch a spot in the one-game final Saturday in Boston, and they could face Canada again. 

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USC powerless against late Minnesota surge as its NCAA tourney hopes take a hit

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USC powerless against late Minnesota surge as its NCAA tourney hopes take a hit

USC’s game against Minnesota on Saturday carried more emotional weight than a typical matchup for Trojans coach Eric Musselman. He spent his formative years in Minneapolis while his father, Bill Musselman, coached Minnesota from 1971 to 1975, winning a Big Ten title in the process.

Eric Musselman probably won’t be reminiscing about what he saw from the Trojans in his first game coaching against Minnesota. USC was unable to hold back a late Minnesota surge in a 69-66 loss at Galen Center that complicated USC’s already tenuous NCAA tournament aspirations.

In the bonus, a late foul on a driving Lu’Cye Patterson sent the Minnesota guard to the line for a one-and-one, with USC holding a 66-65 lead. Patterson hit both free throws to put the Golden Gophers ahead.

USC (14-11 overall, 6-8 Big Ten) had a chance to win the game with one of its final possessions, but a turnover by Desmond Claude — his sixth of the game — coupled with two more Patterson free throws sealed the win for Minnesota (13-12, 5-9).

“We’re off the bubble,” Musselman said about where USC’s NCAA tournament hopes stand. “We have a two-game road trip coming up — Ohio State is sitting here [just ahead in the standings] waiting on us. … The importance of this game was monumental.”

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For the first 36 minutes, USC led the game, and at times, was in solid control, leading by as much as 14. The Golden Gophers, however, started to chip away in the second half. A 13-3 run gave Minnesota a 53-52 lead with 7:16 left.

With the score tied 59-59, Wesley Yates III hit a three-pointer with 3:59 left to give the Trojans a 62-59 lead, but USC couldn’t keep up its momentum. Frank Mitchell scored back-to-back baskets for Minnesota to make it a one-point score before Patterson’s free throws put Minnesota ahead for good.

“Trying to make the Big Ten tournament,” Musselman said about the Trojans’ primary goal for the remainder of the regular season. “I told the staff at the beginning of the year that I thought making the Big Ten tournament was, one, something we didn’t want to be left out of. And now, that’s in jeopardy, obviously.”

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Yates finished with 18 points, going three for four from three-point range and five for five from the free-throw line. He was one of three Trojans in double figures, alongside Chibuzo Agbo and Claude, who scored 18 and 12 points, respectively.

But, it was ultimately not enough for a Trojans team that was outscored 40-28 in the second half.

“That was a tough loss,” Agbo said. “We knew this game was really important to us.”

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