CAJON HIGH SCHOOL - May 30, 2003


By Jeanne Flores

One on One

What was it like to be play on the court?
Michael Mirisch
(HK CEO): It’s tough, I mean it’s real tough. These guys, they got to have a lot of air to run up and down these courts. These guys are good; I didn’t realize how good they were. I had fun; I gave my two minutes out there. I gave the perfect tumble roll out there.

So what was going through your head when you found yourself on the floor?
Michael Mirisch
(HK CEO): ‘Oh my God! I’m flipping over again and again!’ and the ground, I hit the ground real hard, like smack. It was fun, I’ve never got the chance to put a uniform on, and this is the last game of the year.

This being the last game of the year, what are you going to miss most about HK during its off season?
Michael Mirisch
(HK CEO): I think the most I'll miss is seeing everybody’s faces, seeing how happy they are. I’ll definitely miss that, that and seeing the crowd screaming. There is no other feeling like that. And at the end of the night, I'll definitely miss hearing “Thanks Mr. Mirisch we had a great time again!” I’m gonna miss the guys, man.

But you will be seeing most of them over the summer, right?
Michael Mirisch
(HK CEO): Yea, but it won’t be like “road trip!” It’s a little more fun like that. But you know, after 3 or 4 months, we’ll be more hungry to come back, everyone will be more hungry to have us back and do it another year...year 26!

What is it like playing in the last game of the year?
Cylk Cozart:
You know, it’s like everyone is in shock. So the energy is kind of slow, but I think towards the end of the game, it’s going to pick up, and then it’s going to hit us...it’s the last game!

What is it like performing in the last game?
Jillian:
It’s exciting. I’m really hot. It’s kind of sad because it’s the last game.

Can fans expect you to be performing for the next season?
Jillian:
Possibly, we’ll see, but at the wrap party for sure. I’ll be performing some new material over there.

As one of the newcomers of this season, what was your most favorite memory of this season?
Arlen Escarpeta:
Oh wow! My first game, there’s nothing like your first game.

Why?
Arlen Escarpeta:
I was brand new, it was fun. I didn’t know anybody and I was kind of out there to play basketball as fan. It was just something I hadn’t experienced yet.

Describe your experience with the HK?
Arlen Escarpeta:
It’s like I’ve been accepted into a new family. I enjoy coming out here a lot, and hanging out with the guys, win or lose. It’s more than just about basketball now.

What is your most memorable experience this year?
Tracy Szymanski
(HK talent relations): My favorite game of the season would have to be Burbank. The line up was out of control, packed house, sold out, kids hanging out side...that’s the kind of events we like to do. You know, where there is so much hype, everyone’s happy, having a great time. The fans, the school, they raised a lot of money. I think probably at Burbank, they raised the most money out of any game this season. So obviously that’s the point, to raise money. We raised money, we had a good time, um, we had a lot of press out there, and that’s always good to get more exposure. We had a couple new players out there obviously...Howie D. came out and that was a very big game for us because of him.

What are you going to miss most about HK during the off season?
Anthony Hopkins
(HK security): I’m going to miss all of them. I’m going to miss the guys, I’m going to miss going to the different schools, the whole thing. I’m going to miss body-guarding the guys, and having the crowds come out and representing them also.

Could you please describe your upcoming role on Passions?
Alisa Reyes:
I was on Passions before by the name of Kelly, but now I’m coming back and my first air date is July 22nd as Cindy Valentine. I’ll be playing a recording artist, so I will be singing on the show, live, my music.

Will any of the music be original?
Alisa Reyes:
Actually some of the music I will be working on is with some composer at Passions, a guy by the name of John Henry, who won an Emmy for composing the Passions theme song. I’m going to be on for a while as a regular so you can log on to the Passions
website or my website for more information.

What was your favorite game of the season?
Kiko Ellsworth:
Last game Wednesday (Oxnard). We won in overtime by two points. That was the best game, the hardest game. We were grinding out there.

What’s going on in your head right now, this being your last game of the season?
Kiko Ellsworth:
It’s so hot in here. Oh my God, it’s so hot in here that I can’t breathe. That’s it, that’s going on in the whole team’s head, so I can speak for everybody.

What are you going to miss most about HK during the off season?
DJ Speed
(Power DJ): Coming out here to all the schools.
Brody
(Power DJ): Actually, coming out and getting in touch with the fans is the best. You know we come out to the community and do Power promotions and stuff and watching the kids get all hyped up and pumped on it. The energy, that’s what I’m going to miss most about the HK.

What’s your favorite memory from this season?
Marvin Williams
(HK Assistant coach): Just to see them come together as a team as far as my favorite memory. We start off playing with all these new people coming on, not knowing each other, and seeing them come together and having fun, laughing at jokes with each other like a family, that’s the most memorable thing for me.

What’s your favorite memory of this season?
Jeff Licon:
I would have to say going back to the town where I live, in Downey; just being at the game, seeing everyone that’s over there and having a bunch of friends of there that already know me. That was fun.

What’s going on in your head right now, considering that this is the last game?
Jeff Licon:
Um, I’m sad that it’s over for this season, but after a couple months off, we’re back at it, and I’m fired up for the next season.




By Sue Kim

With 27 games played this season, Saturday’s game at Cajon High School finally ended the ’02-’03 season. But it’s not like the Knights if we didn’t end the season big. After the win in overtime at Pacifica High School the Wednesday before, the Knights were determined to end the season with a win while having fun of course. An all-star line up was on hand for tonight’s game, as usual, and after a brief break from the Knights, Ryan Starr started things off with the National Anthem. Rather than play the usual faculty, the Knights went up against the San Bernardino Sheriff’s department to help benefit the associated student body. Coach Andre Smith and assistant coach Marvin Williams were also on hand to lend their coaching skills for the last game of the season.

Dejai, Jack, Romeo, Paul, and Cylk were up first at the start of the game. Paul and sheriff number 4 were at center court for the jump ball. The faculty had possession of the ball from the jump but after an attempted shot, Cylk got the ball for the Knights. The Knights started the game off strong, scoring points left and right before the sheriffs could even get a chance to shoot. Jack and Romeo both made shots for the Knights early in the quarter and then it was sheriff number 20 who scored the first shot for the home team. Romeo intercepted a pass from the sheriff’s and then passed to Paul Malbry who took the ball to score a two point shot. In the middle of the quarter a time out was called and Arlen, Sammy, Anthony Harrell, Kiko, and Grady took the court after the time out. After being fouled, sheriff number 1 was at the line and successfully made both his two free throws. But the Knights soon came back scoring another shot as Arlen took the ball down court, passed to Kiko, and then Kiko to Grady who was in the key making a two point shot. With an assist from Arlen, Anthony was the last to score this quarter leaving the score at 15-18, Knights.

Leading into the second quarter, the Knights were up against the sheriffs but not by much. Keeping that in mind, the Knights kept on their toes as the buzzer to start the second quarter sounded. Grady got Sammy’s rebound and scored a two point shot early in the quarter as well as getting Anthony’s rebound and scoring another two points soon after. For the first time in Knights history, Michael Mirisch put on a Knights jersey and played for part of the second quarter. “I am always on the sidelines running the show or coaching the team. It’s great to have some fun and join my guys out on the court, especially since it’s the last game of the seaon.” Michael said. He was rotated into the game with Dejai, Jack, Paul, and Romeo. For the first time playing on the Knights, he did pretty well considering he states that he isn’t very good at basketball. There was rebound Michael caught after Dejai missed his shot and then passed the ball over to jack. Michael later attempted a three point shot but was a hair away from making it. Cylk came in to relieve Michael so he could get back to running tonight’s game. By the end of the second, both teams were neck in neck: 40-42, Knights.

After half-time performances from the Nade and Jillian, it was time to get into the third quarter of the game. Dejai, Romeo, Kiko, Cylk, and Paul were the first out in the quarter with the possession of the ball going to them. Romeo tried for a two point shot and missed but Kiko was nearby for the rebound and scored 2 points. Sheriff number 1 went to score two points past Paul. Later, sheriff number 4 scored a two point shot to tie the score at 55. That didn’t last long with Paul’s free throw shot that put the Knights one up against the Sheriffs. Sheriff number 42 took the lead away from the Knights and back to the sheriffs after his two point shot. But the Knights still had the lead when it came down to the buzzer ending the quarter, 64-68.

Although the sheriffs hadn’t been able to take the lead in any of tonight’s quarters, the fourth quarter is the one that really counts anyway. If they could try and keep up and pass the Knights both on the court and on the scoreboard this last quarter, that’s all that counts. Paul, Kiko, Dejai, Romeo, Jack, and Cylk are just some of the Knights that helped out point wise this quarter. Paul went in for a two point lay up and was blocked by number 1 who ended up on the floor in the midst of trying to block Paul. Paul was sent to the line but unfortunately didn’t make either of his free throw shots. He later made up for it by making a two point lay up though. Towards the end of the quarter, referee Stoney tried to make a shot for the Knights at half court with less than 30 seconds remaining but missed. Then the ball went to Cylk who shot a three point shot despite Stoney blocking him. The Knights did end this season on a good note by winning the last game of the season with a score of 79-94. Now it’s not until next season that you get to see your Knights in action...See you then!

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