By Jeanne Flores The Hollywood Knights graced the courts of Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 as the faced off against the Faculty Lobos. Those in attendance watched their teachers shoot around as theywaited for the Knights to arrive. The Los Amigos cheerleaders performed a routine tothe song “Like I Love You” by Justin Timberlake, the security football players danced around to Nelly’s “Hot in Here,” and a new singing group - At Last - performed an acapella version of “Killing Me Softly” with accompanied beat box. Justin Fong, 21, Hans Cho, 25, JP Leynes, 25, Mike Hyun Bum Lee, 24, and Kenneth Jeremy Ycmat, 26 form the R&B group. Justin Fong revealed that they wanted to be a part of the Hollywood Knights because, “It’s for a good cause. Raising money for their programs and school funds and stuff like that. As promised, the gym was filled with screaming fans as Wesley Jonathon (What I Like About You), Andrew Walker (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch), Bumper Robinson (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch), Mike “The Miz” Mizanin (MTV’s The Real World, New York), Kiko Ellsworth (Port Charles), Cylk Cozart (Marvin Gaye Story), and Dion Basco (City Guys) with Shar Jackson (Moesha) entered the gym. The game was kicked off with 3rd Storee (as seen from the Nsync and Britney Spears tours) singing their rendition of the national anthem. As the game tipped off, 3rd Storee and Los Amigos football player, Eric Faamausili battled dance moves off the court. The Knights cut through the faculty defense and drove to the basket to gain a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Throughout the whole game fans struggled to get pictures and autographs with the Knights. One fan, Jesiree Macaniai, was successful on getting a picture with Kiko just before her stepped on the court during the second quarter. Kiko continued to interact with the fans as he allowed another fan to inbound the ball for the Knights. During half-time, the Knights gained a wide lead over the Los Amigos Faculty. At Last took their spots on the court and performed their single “Driven” off their album (which is already out) Driven. Those that were impressed by the guys’ beat boxing skills and five part harmony can purchase their album on their official website, www.atlastmusic.com. “[At Last] are fresh. They have good energy and all good artist have good energy,” said Cylk as he looked on at the performance for the player’s bench. While the crowd retrieved autographs during the autograph session, I was able to ask the Los Amigos faculty what the thought of the Hollywood Knights. “They’re pretty good. They’re big and strong. They play hard, ”answered Mr. Joby, JV coach. David Pell, history teacher, answered “I’m not really up on a lot of the shows and movies their in so I don’t know who they really are for the most part. I think they are for the younger crowd anyways, but they are very good basketball players, and I think that it’s great that they take their time out and come out here because the kids absolutely love them, and I take my hat off to them for doing that. It’s a really good thing.” The DJ’s of Power 106 announced, “The first person back to their seat gets a free shirt!” Fans rushed back to the stands and the second half was on its way. The Knights continued widen the gap; at one point the score was 46-26 in the third quarter. Finally during the fourth quarter, the lead became so big that even Wesley brought the ball up to their end of the court by skipping. While 3rd Storee were off to the side ofthe court mingling and dancing with some fans, one of the female faculty members was fouled, and she was allowed to shoot her free throw a couple feet in front of the free throw line (unfortunately she didn’t make it). Suddenly, with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter the score was changed to 52-56, Knights lead so the game could be more fun. The game ended with a score of 60-58. The Knights won their second game in a row. Some fan highlights of the game were expressed by Kayla Thompson, sophomore, and Amy Sopong, junior of Los Amigos High School. “When 3rd Storee sang,” smiled Kayla. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t know. I was paying attention to the Hollywood Knights guys,” admitted Amy. The after party was the place everyone in attendance wanted to be, but only a few lucky students were in attendance for either helping out with the set up of the event or winning passes from the raffle. Fans danced, mingled, sought autographs and pictures and ate pizza with the Knights. Again, the guys of 3rd Storee appeared to be very interactive with the crowd as the looked on and participated in the dancing. “Everyone’s wild, real cool, and respectful here,” said Gavin or 3rd Storee, “This is the best high school I’ve been too.” Kiko had similar thoughts about the Los Amigos student body, “[They’re] crrraaaazay! [They] are wild. That’s a good thing though. [They] are off the hook, we had a lot of fun. I could speak for everybody for the Hollywood Knights. It was fun.”

By Sue Kim Game two of the Hollywood Knights season got under way in Fountain Valley on October 30, 2002. Tonight’s gracious host was the Lobos of Los Amigos High School. As the faculty warmed up before the Knights arrived, a group in the stands chanted, “We want Wesley” and Lobos football players Quentin Davis and Eric Famausili provided dance entertainment as they danced to Nelly’s “Hot in Here” on the side of the court. The Los Amigos cheerleading team took center stage as they preformed a dance routine to the song “Like I Love You.” Thad Luckinbill was first to get started warming up for the night’s game and it was cheers and screams from the crowd as he entered. To keep the crowd entertained, the group At Last preformed their acapella rendition of “Killing Me Softly” which the crowd definitely got into. As the clock hit eight, Michael announced that the bus had arrived. Ecstatic screams came from that announcement with everyone knowing that it would only be a few moments until they would see the Knights. Dion Basco, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Kiko Ellsworth, Bumper Robinson, and Andrew Walker were the first to enter the court and at that exact moment, fans sprinted for the court to get their autographs and pictures. Knight’s security Anthony and Patrick weren’t in it alone tonight and had a little help from the Lobos football teamto keep all eager fans to sit in their seats and wait until half time to get what they wanted. Introductions were made for the Lobos faculty first and thenit was time to introduce tonight’s Knights. In order of introductions, playing and in attendance at tonight’s game were Wesley Jonathan, Andrew Walker, Bumper Robinson, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Kiko Ellsworth, Cylk Cozart, Thad Luckinbill, Dion Basco, Shar Jackson, the guys of At Last, and 3rd Storee. It was Def Jam/Def Soul’s 3rd Storee that did the honors tonight of singing the national anthem and then made their way into the stands to sit with the fans to watch the game. And now... time to play some ball. The faculty got first possession of the ball by winning the tip off. With the Knights and faculty throwing shots consecutively, not one team was drastically leading inthe first quarter. When the buzzer ended the first quarter, it was Ellsworth that made the last shot to make the score 9-13 in favor of the Knights. Speed and Joey Nicks of Power 106 kept the crowd throughout the game by passing out free Axion gear and spinning those tracks. In the second quarter, The Miz shot 3 minutes into the quarter and with 4:06 in the left in the period, a time out was called. Both teams got into a huddle to figure out their game strategy... or so I’m figuring. Towards the end of the second period, referee Stoney gave Los Amigos High School student Lisa Tang a chance to throw in the ball. Kiko stole the ball from faculty member #15 to end the second quarter with a score of 16-38, Knights. With the end of the second quarter came the beginning of half time. Right as the buzzer sounded,it was the hundred-yard dash to the autograph tables. At Last, composed of Mike, Hans, Justin, and JP, preformed their song “Driven” from their CD with the same title. At the autograph session, Lobos football players had to hold the tables down so that they wouldn’t tip over from the mob of fans that were crowded on against and on top of them. It took a few minutes to clear the crowd in order to start the second half of the game but fans took their seats with smiles on their faces and autographs in their hands. The third quarter belonged to the Knights as they led for all of this period. Faculty member Christy Monte was at the line to shoot her free throw and Stoney being the gentleman that he is, let her move a little closer in order to get a better chance at the shot. With the end of the third quarter, the Knights were leading with twenty points with a score of 26-46. In the last quarter, the Lobos faculty definitely made a come back. Bumper passed the ball to Kiko and shot the ball with 2:02 minutes left in the game. With just less than a minute left in the game, Kiko and faculty member Carlos Melendez (4) battled to get possession of the ball with Melendez getting it in the end. Tonight’s game was a tie with a score of 58-58. A game well played on both sides. The Knights stayed after the game to sign more autographs and take more pictures and then it was off to the after party. Tonight’s game benefited the Los Amigos High School yearbook and associated student body. Many thank you’s go out to the lead coordinator Vivian Nguyen, a junior yearbook student. At the after party, there was a lot of food to chow down on. Held in the cafeteria, Edifying Beats provided the music and club type lights were set up. Fans from the game learned about the after party and were pressed up against the doors to the cafeteria as they tried to get a glimpse. After party attendees made their way to the dance floor and showed their stuff while Andrew Walker and The Miz wore Knight’s fan Kelly Baas’ angel halo and wings while posing for pictures. Ona side note, for all those that are interested, Andrew Walker says jokingly, “I have some serious dance moves. My number one hobby is cutting up some rug.” But in all seriousness, Walker’s highlight of the night was, “The incredible feeling when we walked into the gym. It warmed my heart to know that friendly people like that are watching our shows.” Being The Miz’s first game of the season, his highlight was “Seeing all the people I haven’t seen in four months. It’s like family so it’s nice.” Next game is Saturday, November 2nd at Walnut High School. Come out and support all your Knights!

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