By Jeanne Flores Whittier was the next stop for the Hollywood Knights as they squared off against the California High School Condors faculty on Saturday, November 23, 2002. Those in attendance included Anthony Montgomery, Cylk Cozart, Dejai, Jesse Metcalfe, Kevin Zegers, Lil J, Sammy Lopez, Bruce Michael Hall, Tommy McCarthy, Dion Basco (both he and Tommy suited up at the second half), newcomer Arlen Escarpeta, and guests Mischa Mandel, Alexis Lopez, Jeff Licon, Pablo Santos, and Shar Jackson. During the first half of the game, the Knights struggled to take wide lead over the Condor faculty. However, Cylk was at the right spot several times – stealing the ball every chance he got. Lil J hyped up the Knights team as he made a fast break and made his lay-up through the tight defense in the last minute of the first quarter. Roars from the student body grew as people followed after Ron T in hopes to get Power 106 t-shirts and gray Nike shoes. During the second quarter, the newest addition of the Knights family, Arlen, impressed everyone in the gym as he cut through the faculty defense to make a reverse lay-up. Arlen continued to impress the fans as he made a basket but got fouled at the buzzer. At the end of the first half, the score was 31-44, Hollywood Knights lead. The boys of ‘At Last’ were a hit when they sang “Killing me Softly” and “Driven” (they also sang the National Aanthem prior to the game). While fans got their pictures during half-time, others danced to the music blazed by Power 106. During the break time, Brian Caycon, Science teacher, expressed his thoughts about the Knights, “I think it’s a great idea if we can raise money for the school.” The second half was on its way and while the Knights were finally able to sustain a stable lead over the Condor faculty, while Ron T was looking for the loudest person in the stands, so he could give away a skateboard. However, the crowd wasn’t as loud as he liked it so he held a scavenger hunt. Whoever had an ID, card, twenty-five cents, and a left sock would be the lucky winner. Yolanda Gueirero, Senior, fulfilled Ron T’s requirements, but he had more in store for her. Between the third and fourth quarter, Ron T announced that Yolanda had to also make a basket from half court. Fans watched on as she air balled at her first attempt, Stoney Jackson (Hollywood Knights referee) missed for her second attempt, a second referee missed again, and Lil J - calling for his chance to make it - still missed for her fourth attempt. Still, Ron T gave her the board and her embarrassment turned into excitement as she hurried off the court. Once the fourth quarter came around the Knights relaxed a little, and Lil J and Anthony hopped, skipped, and jumped around on the court to “Pass the Courvoisier” while still in the game. The final score of the night was 54-89, Knights. One on One with the Knights: Me: During the first half of the game, it appeared that you guys struggled to maintain a steady lead over your opponents, but during the second half, the pressure seemed to lessen. What strategy did you guys use during the second half that differed from the first? Lil J: The first half was really like judgment, trying to feel out the team and everything. This team is actually pretty good, they gave us a big run for the whole game. The second half we tried to give 110% and just try to have fun. M: Joy Saleapaga, Junior, states “Lil J…what are your hobbies?” L: Basketball. That’s why I’m really happy to be on this team. Because this is a weekly thing, I get to have fun and raise money, other than that I like to go shopping and all kinds of other things. M: What have you been doing since Moesha? Shar Jackson: I have been relaxing with my family, and working on my album with Mpulz M: How would you describe this album? S: Soulful pop. It’s like a mix of R&B and Pop. We kind of base ourselves like a female Nsync just with a little more soul. M: When will the album be released? What do you enjoy more, acting or singing? S: Acting is my life, but singing and music have always been a part of me. So if I get a chance to go sing, I’m a happy camper. Fans can expect Mpulz’s album to be released sometime early in the last quarter of the next year, but for now visit www.mpulz.com M: Millicent Valenzuela, Senior, asks, “Jeff, other than acting, what are your hobbies?” Jeff Licon: If I’m not at a friend’s house, I’m at the driving range trying to get my par up to game. Definitely playing sports, going to movies, and just hanging out with friends – doing what everyone else would do. M: How do you respond when fans accidentally call you by your character name? J: If I hear anyone call out “Carlos,” I’ll turn around, check to see if they are talking about me, and if they do mean me I’ll go up to them and say “Hi, what’s up. I’m Jeff.” I mean it’s cool - you got to expect it. M: Julia Thompson, Senior, wants to know “Did you ever second guess yourself in your acting career?” Jesse Metcalfe: That’s kind of a vague question, but yea. I think every actor has an element of insecurity if they are really in touch with their feelings. Any little thing can affect you when you’re acting. When you’re having a bad day or something, you’ll second-guess yourself and the choices you made in acting - you could have done a better job or something like that. I think all people do that. M: Tonight is your first appearance for the season. What was it like to suit up and play? Bruce Michael Hall: It feels great because I love doing these kinds of things. M: Becky Baugh, Senior, says, “You are an amazing actor. How old are you, and what do you do for fun?” Arlen: I’m 21 years old. For fun, I play basketball, football, hang out with my friends, feed my spider mice, and watch tv. M: Berenice Carcans, Junior, wonders “How did you get on ‘American Dreams’ and if you will be in any movies in the future?” A: I came on through five excruciating auditions. But I came dressed for the part and I came dressed like I was in 1953, and I actually saw American Dreams before I knew I was auditioning for it, so I had a little leg up before the competition. I actually have a movie out right now that’s in video stores called “The Players Court.” M: You are such an amazing basketball player, were you on an organization prior to joining the Hollywood Knights? A: This is my first time officially playing basketball. In high school you either had the choice between playing basketball or football and I chose football and I did track. So I just played basketball for fun by my house. M: How did you sign on with the Hollywood Knights? A: Actually, they found me! Drina saw the show, called me and asked if I wanted to play, and I was excited because I wanted to play on a celebrity basketball team since forever. Quote of the Knight: "I am a bad player. I seriously come for the friends and eat the free pizza." - Bruce Michael Hall during the interview

By Sue Kim Tonight the Knights graced California High School with their presence as they played yet another exciting game against the Condors to help raise funds for their sports program. Bruce Michael Hall and Arlen Escarpeta were new faces to the ’02-’03 season as they played their first game of the current season. ‘At Last’ once again joined the Hollywood Knights crew to provide the musical entertainment for the evening and sing tonight’s National Anthem. The first quarter was underway as Jesse Metcalfe, Cylk Cozart, Arlen, and Anthony Montgomery took to the court for the Knights. Sammy Lopez and Condor Brian Dayton were face to face for the tip off. Cylk gained possession of the ball for the Knights following the tip off. Faculty member Loo was the first to put points on the board as he made both of his free throw shots. Sammy did the same soon after for the Knights. Tony Nieto of the Condors tried to go in for a two point shot but Cylk blocked the shot. In the middle of the first quarter, Dejai and Lil’ J went in for Sammy and Arlen and the arrival of Jeff Licon and Shar Jackson were announced. With about three minutes into the first, a technical was called and Cylk was at the line. He put the Knights at 9 points by making one of his two shots. Condor Viera went in for a shot with the clock slowly ticking down to end the first quarter; Cylk came in with a rebound. At the end of the first quarter, the Knights were up with a score of 17-20. Bruce, Jesse, Cylk, Kevin, and Sammy were in at the beginning of the second. The faculty started out with possession of the ball. The Knights soon got the ball back with Cylk attempting to make a shot but missing and Tony Nieto getting the rebound for the Condors. Jesse made both of his free throws putting the Knights at 27 while Cylk made an effort to get a rebound but failed when the ball went out of bounds. Towards the end of the second quarter, Lil’ J passed the ball to Dejai and it was back to Lil’ J to go in for two but he unfortunately missed. With just 10 seconds remaining on the clock, the faculty had the ball at the buzzer and the score on the board was 31-44, Knights. During half time, ‘At Last’ performed a couple of numbers. Following the last event of half time (the autograph session) it was time to finish up the game and see who was going with the title of tonight’s winning team. Dion and Tommy McCarthy were two new members for the second half. Cylk was the first to score in the third quarter as he made a three pointer. Condor Tony Nieto threw an empty pass and it was Dejai that gained the ball. There was a foul on Sammy that sent him to the line again where he tacked on another two points to the Knights already leading score. The Knights were still leading at the end of the third with a score of 43-71. The fourth and last quarter was the last chance for the Condors to try and catch up to the Knights’ leading score. Before the fourth began, Ron T. gave a female fan a chance to win a skateboard if she made a shot from half court. This proved to be difficult but she won the skateboard anyway. One of tonight’s younger fans got the chance to put the ball into play to start the fourth quarter. Sammy went in for three but was just a tad bit short for the basket. Condor Jeff Boline was short of making a two-point shot and Jesse got the rebound. It was Lil’ j that made the last points for the Knights putting the score at the end of the fourth 54-89. It was another victorious win for the Knight’s tonight; six wins and one loss this season… the Knights are definitely hot. The Knights are back in action on December 7th to play the Gabrielino High School faculty Eagles. See you there!

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