Lakers dominate with fresh players

By Julia McIntyre

Los Angeles blew New Orleans out of the water Wednesday night, 120-102, as a few new Lakers made their home game debut in purple and gold. It was D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Mo Bamba’s first home game apart of the L.A. family after they were a part of a three-team trade deal.

Degree

Continued from page 1 have supported her success in higher education the third time around.

“Compton College has been a blessing; I get emotional just thinking about it!” she said.

She is enrolled in Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), which provides many benefits including priority registration; referrals to student support services; student enhancement workshops; funds for educational supplies; academic achievement grants; and more.

She has also received financial aid, earned a $2,500 scholarship through Go Beyond, visited the transfer center to stay on track with her transfer goals, and received laptop computer and WiFi hotspot loans, free parking, and free meals through the EveryTable Cafeteria on campus.

“Through my experience, I want others to see that you can get a college education at any age or in any circumstance. Put yourself out there. Be willing to do the work. I think I’m a good example. I have three kids and a full course load. It’s hard work, but it can be done. I made a point to set my mind to graduating from college and earning my degree. Compton College is there to help.”

The Lakers brought solid offense during the do or die game with Crypto Arena welcoming the fresh players with plenty of energy and cheers.

The game leaders were Anthony Davis with 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Lebron James with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Russell with 21 points, two rebounds and seven assists. All three athletes had double-digit points which Los Angeles had not seen recently.

The team looked strong overall and well-rounded with new shooters on the court. Davis looked comfortable post-injury and made impressive moves with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists before half time. Russell showed his skills in his renewed role as point guard. The team also had help from All-Star James. It was his first game back after being absent since he broke the NBA All-Time scoring record.

The Lakers hit a stride last night as the season gets deeper. During the pregame press conference, Coach Darvin Ham said, “We have no more time, no more games to waste. We have to take care of what’s in front of us...just gotta go out and do it.”

Los Angeles held onto the lead throughout the entire game. New Orleans closed the gap a couple times and made it a three-point game by the third quarter. Although they were persistent in the middle of the game, the Laker newbies made sure to stay on their game and bring both offense and defense to the table to break away from the trailing Pelicans.

During a post-game interview with Davis, he was asked about his early impressions on the new Lakers. “We just competed, honestly. I think J.V. did a good job...just with his lenses presence. D. Lo obviously doing what he does. Play make, scorer, beast shooting. It’s a different look to see in the workforce tonight.”

Besides the gap closing during the third quarter, all eyes were on Russell’s outstanding debut. Before the end of the quarter, he earned 20 points, two rebounds and seven assists. The joy he felt during the game was shown on his face. During the postgame press conference Russell said, “having that much fun playing basketball is a beautiful feeling.”

Bamba also had a Laker debut to remember as he made a powerful slam dunk and hung on to the basket for about two seconds. He made his appearance known and proved Los Angeles is his fresh territory.

By the fourth quarter the Lakers left the Pelicans in the dust with 20 points without a chance to catch up. It was the first blowout for L.A. since November. A blowout that surely increased their confidence as the team continues to compete.

Valle is on track to graduate from Compton College in June 2023 with three associate degrees, an associate degree for transfer (AS-T) in early childhood education, and a permit to work in preschools and childcare programs. Permits are earned by accumulating a specified number of hours of work experience with young children and taking the child development practicum course.

Currently, Valle has an assistant teacher permit, but when she graduates in June, she will have accrued enough work experience hours to earn a head teacher permit, allowing her to be a head teacher at a preschool. She has applied to several four-year universities including the CSU Long Beach, Dominguez Hills, and Los Angeles campuses, as well as Cal Poly Pomona.

She plans to transfer in fall 2023 and earn a bachelor’s degree in either child development or early education development depending upon the university she is accepted to.

Valle’s future career plan is to start as a preschool teacher and work her way up to director where she will have the opportunity to interact more directly with community members and other parents. Giving back to her community is important to Valle.

She hopes to support her community and act as a positive example, “I want to give back and motivate moms and let them know that improving their situation is possible. Don’t think that just because you are a mom or are older, you can’t go to college. You can succeed and be a mom.”