Vol. 71, Issue 20

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

April Fools’ Edition

VOL. 71, ISSUE 20

est. 1954

SPORTS

UC Riverside men’s basketball team lands 3 McDonald’s All-Americans, including the son of Lebron James, Bronny HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team is set to have its best recruiting season as they landed three McDonald’s All-American players, including the son of NBA superstar Lebron James, Bronny. In a shocking turn of events, Bronny James decided to commit to UC Riverside to pursue his collegiate career after getting offers from USC and Ohio State. The other two McDonald’s All-Americans, Isaiah Collier and Jared McCain, all decommitted from their respective schools to join Bronny James and form a big three next year at UC Riverside. All three players shined at the McDonald’s All-American game that just happened in Houston, Texas, giving head coach Mike Magpayo great excitement for next season, who just signed a new five-year contract to remain the head coach for the Highlanders.

Bronny James is a 6’3 190 pound guard from Sierra High School who is ranked #34 on the ESPN Top 100.

He has a great all-around game with exceptional playmaking abilities, a great three-point jump shot, and one of the best defenders in his class.

According to scouts, Bronny James has a high basketball IQ and a great feel for the game. He lets the game come to him and does not try to force plays. His biggest weakness would be his shot-creating ability as there would be times when he fails to score on his own. However, the sky’s the limit for the son of Lebron James and he is compared to a Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball type of player. Bronny is going to seamlessly fit into Coach Magpayo’s system.

Isaiah Collier is a 6’3 190 pound guard from Wheeler High School who is ranked #3 on the ESPN Top 100. He has a strong build and is very great at taking contact and finishing at the rim. Like Bronny James, Collier is a great playmaker and is never rushed into making the right play as well as having all the tools needed to become ► SEE MCDONALD’S PAGE 12

FEATURES Under The Kilt: You’re Acting Crazy NATALIE DAHL Staff Writer

Want to become a master of the first G in Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss?

Stop listening to what your silly friends are telling you and start deceiving your partner today! ► SEE GASLIGHTING PAGE 7

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

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@thehighlanderucr @HighlanderUCR UCRHighlander NEWS 3

OPINIONS 4

FEATURES 6

RADAR 9

SPORTS 12

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2 TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org

UPCOMING EVENTS:

4

ScotSurplus Public Sale 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

UCR Corporation Yard

Baseball at CSUN 2 p.m.

5

Introduction to Python 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Virtual Event

Softball vs. CSUF 1 p.m.

Amy S. Harrison Field

Tuesday

Wednesday

6

Thursday

7

Women’s Tennis vs. UCI 1:30 p.m.

SRC Tennis Courts

Paid Neuroimaging Study Virtual Event

Friday

8

School of Medicine Open House 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..

SOM Education Building

9

Men’s Club Basketball Practice 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

SRC North Gym

Autism Awareness Month Banquet 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Alumni & Visitors’ Center

Saturday

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

Sunday

HIGHLANDER STAFF

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

3

Reflexivity in Neuroscience Research HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

A study led by Kalina Michalska, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, recognizes how traditional research practices in neuroscience have excluded racialized communities: directly harming communities, potentially leading to biased prevention and intervention approaches. As a developmental measure to reduce harms caused by biases in neuroscience research methods, the study suggests integrating a positionality map and a Community Advisory Board (CAB) into a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) framework.

This paper also applies a community engaged research process to their study on mental health outcomes in preadolescent Latinx youth. Through which, they offer an example of how reflexive research practices are applied in actual neuroscience research projects: providing specific tools, materials, and guidelines for future neuroscience research to potentially build on.

They use concepts like positionality and reflexivity as conceptual tools. According to the paper, these concepts help develop a research method that actively acknowledges how researchers bring assumptions to their research projects and how these assumptions can shape the findings. The paper discusses how traditional research structures fail to account for the inherent value-laden power structures within which researchers operate.

The study found that most neuroimaging studies do not report the racial and ethnic demographic composition of their samples. The omission of such information makes it difficult to recognize how historically racialized groups are disproportionately affected and excluded by research.

The study lists three factors that contribute to equity issues in neuroscience research: “(1) lack of diversity in the neuroscience workforce leading to unacknowledged bias in scientific assumptions and scientific agendas that are often not aligned with the goals of the community under study; (2) lack of diversity in research samples and overrepresentation of Western and highly educated societies relative to the global population resulting in biases favoring white research participants; and (3) insufficient transparency about participant demographics in neuroscience research prohibiting demographic group comparisons across samples.”

These processes make the subject of the study an object of dominance, and deny the subject autonomy as valid knowledge producers. Therefore, traditional research structures reproduce the power hierarchies the subjects experience in the social world.

The study provides evidence that racialized lived experiences affect psychological processes. What neuroscientists might have labeled as “atypical” or “problematic” behavior in racialized youth may be attributed to exposure to negative life experiences which occur at disproportionately higher rates in communities of color. By practicing self-reflexivity in research, this paper suggests that the researchers would be able to capture the actualities of marginalized lives, understand the complex social relations H embedded in social activities, and disrupt the social systems of oppression. ■

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The End of the World as We Know It ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

UC Riverside researchers have conducted an experiment which has determined that if there were a terrestrial, super-Earth planet hovering between Mars and Jupiter, it could potentially displace the Earth from the solar system and wipe out life on our planet.

The experiment was conducted by UCR astrophysicist Stephen Kane of Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Earth Science at UC Riverside, and the results have been published in the Planetary Science Journal. Kane’s experiment aimed to address two gaps in planetary science that could offer important insights into the framework of our solar system, and into Earth’s evolution.

The first is the gap in our solar system between the size of terrestrial and giant gas planets. The largest terrestrial planet is Earth, and the smallest gas giant is Neptune, which is four times wider and 17 times more massive than Earth, with no other planet or object in between. “In other star systems there are many planets with masses in that gap. We call them super-Earths,” Kane elaborated. To illustrate this comparison, the size difference between the Earth and Neptune is similar to the size difference between a tennis ball and a basketball.

The second gap is in the distance, relative to the sun, between Mars and Jupiter, where no planets are situated within their orbits . “Planetary scientists often wish there was something in between those two planets. It seems like wasted real estate,” Kane explained.

As part of the experiment to fill in the gap, Kane conducted a number of dynamic computer simulations of a planet placed between Mars and Jupiter with a range of different masses. He then observed and analyzed the effects of the addition on the orbits of all other planets.

The results of the simulations were mostly described as catastrophic for the solar system. Kane explained “This fictional planet gives a nudge to Jupiter that is just enough to destabilize everything else. Despite many astronomers having wished for this extra planet, it’s a good thing we don’t have it.”

Kane observed that the presence of a super-Earth planet could destabilize Jupiter and ultimately eject Mercury, Venus, and even Earth from the solar system. This is due

UCR astrophysicist Stephen Kane’s experiment details the fragility of our Solar System or how the presence of only one other planet could destroy our solar system.

to Jupiter’s massive size, with a mass that is 318 times that of Earth, which ultimately dwarfs all the other planets combined. As a result, its gravitational pull is immensely powerful and even a small disturbance from a super-Earth, a passing star, or any other celestial object would have a profound impact on all the other planets in our solar system.

The experiment simulated how the presence of the super-Earth would change the shape of this Earth’s orbit, making it far less habitable, if not completely inhabitable, than it is today. Thus the addition of this planet could potentially cause life to cease entirely. Additionally, the orbits of neighboring planets, Mercury and Venus, and gas giants, Uranus and Neptune, could become destabilized, potentially causing them to be ejected into the outer reaches of space.

Even if the super-Earth planet’s mass was smaller and it was situated directly between Mars and Jupiter, the planet’s presence could still disrupt the orbits of other planets.

Though it was possible for a smaller planet to remain stable for a lengthy period of time, Kane explained how “things would go poorly,” with small movements in any direction.

The experiment’s findings have implications for the possibility of other solar systems hosting life. The presence of gas giants far from their stars is quite rare, being only found 10% of the time. But their presence could determine the stable orbit of neighboring Earths or super-Earths.

Kane expressed how the results of the experiment gave him a renewed respect for the delicate order of our solar system that holds the planets together around the sun. “Our solar system is more finely tuned than I appreciated before. It all works like intricate clock gears. Throw more gears into the mix and it all breaks.” ■ H

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2023

NEWS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/news

Lidia Kos named New Vice Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

KOS WILL OVERSEE GRADUATE STUDENT RECRUITMENT, ADMISSIONS, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, EMPLOYMENT AND MENTORING.

Effective July 15, 2023, Lidia Kos will assume the role of UC Riverside’s next Vice Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies (VPDGS). In her new position, Kos will be responsible for leading UCR’s Graduate Division, which oversees graduate student recruitment, admissions, academic affairs, employment, and mentoring, as well as providing a range of services to support graduate students throughout their program and beyond. Kos will succeed Shaun Bowler, a distinguished professor of political science, who has served as dean of graduate studies since July 2017.

Kos currently serves as a Professor of Biology, Associate Dean of the University Graduate School, and Associate Vice President of the Office of Research and Economic Development at Florida International University (FIU). She has garnered extensive experience teaching cell, developmental, and molecular biology to both undergraduate and graduate students.

In conjunction, she has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows in her laboratory, where her research focuses on the development and pathogenesis of pigment cells. Kos is also responsible for overseeing over 9,000 students in master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs at FIU’s Graduate School, where she manages all academic and administrative aspects of graduate education.

Originally from Brazil, Kos earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and her Ph.D. in neurobiology from UC Berkeley, where she was also a Fogarty Fellow at the National Institutes of Health. She has expressed that her cultural background as a Latinx woman and professional experience at FIU will translate well

to UCR. Kos expressed her excitement about joining UCR and contributing to the university’s mission. “I am thrilled to be joining UCR as a leader in social mobility and a comprehensive public research university that provides access to education and community engagement to support the state and society as a whole,” she explained. “I look forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders across campus to create and promote excellence, diversity, equity, transformation, innovation, and a student-centered experience in graduate education.”

UCR Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Watkins expressed her excitement about Kos joining the team, noting her experience and commitment to increasing diversity and inclusivity. “Lidia is an experienced scholar and academic administrator at FIU, which, like UCR, is a large, R1 university that has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution,” said Provost Watkins. “Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion along with her track record in growing graduate programs and securing extramural funding for PhD students at FIU will be assets to the university.” ■H

Begone, mosquito sperm!

HARU CHANG Assistant News Editor

New UC Riverside research makes it likely that proteins responsible for activating mosquito sperm can be located and deactivated to immobilize sperm, preventing fertilization. The study examines subsets of proteins related to flagellar structure or sperm “tails” which are organelles for cellular locomotion. The paper is in reference to previous studies that identified proteins that were essential to the functions of sperm. The research provides a database that would help understand the mechanisms that control sperm motility and identify elements that would help control populations of Culex, common house mosquitos that transmit encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and avian malaria.

Three sperm preparations were examined to compile the Culex sperm proteome, which are a complete set of proteins made by an organism.

The study’s proteomic analysis of mature Culex pipiens sperm identified a number of kinases, phosphatases, and Ca2+ regulators that may be important in controlling sperm waveform and Erk1/2 MAPK, which controls switching between waveforms.

In order to prevent protein contamination, the study excluded proteins that weren’t represented by two or more peptide matches at >95% confidence across the three proteome replicates. The strict criteria filtered out weak identifications and as a result allowed the team to work with proteins with more robust identifications.

According to the study, examining the RNA of mature sperm to examine sperm functions for fertilization is not possible. The proteomic approach has been essential to identify sperm-associated proteins

COURTESY OF FLORIDA UNIVERSITY ARCHIVE

UCR RESEARCH TEAM IDENTIFIES PROTEINS THAT CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF MOSQUITO SPERM AND CAN LEAD TO EFFECTIVE MOSQUITO POPULATION CONTROL. that are important in key elements that are essential for reproductive success: including proteins involved in sperm maturation in both the male and female reproductive tracts, sperm storage, and the activation and maintenance of sperm motility for successful fertilization.

The identification of Culex sperm protein facilitates targeted studies across a wide range of questions concerning gamete differentiation and function. The study suggests possible areas where this information about these specific groups of proteins would be useful. The team is hoping that understanding the mechanisms of sperm motility regulators in Culex will also apply to other species of mosquitoes. Additionally, learning more about Culex sperm motility may have implications for comparative investigations with well-studied marine invertebrate and mammalian model systems. ■H

Opinions 4 TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

OPINIONS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Media literacy must be taught starting in elementary school to combat misinformation and fake news The phrases “misinformation” and “fake news” may sound far-fetched as they are expressions often used by political parties to discredit the beliefs and campaigns of their opposers.

Misinformation, however, is real and is encountered daily by most people, especially when using the internet. Through the rapid evolution of the internet, people are now able to share and access information immediately. Although the speed and accessibility of information have various benefits, the fastpaced nature of the internet has created a lapse in judgment where misinformation is able to easily disguise itself as factual.

Many universities do not teach media literacy or use outdated instruction, allowing harmful rhetoric to run rampant online and taint the minds of the public. To combat the concerning invasion of misinformation online, updated curriculum is needed to protect students from falling victim to fake news.

Students of higher education institutions should not be at fault for failing to have perfect media literacy when examining online sources. According to a report co-authored with the Stanford History Education Group, the majority of university students are being taught outdated information when trying to discern fiction from fact. The advice commonly given comes from a guide published in 1998, released by the Princeton University Library. This guide has not been updated since and states that dot-org sites are credible sources, a fact that is no longer true or unambiguous. When using these outdated resources in the report, students largely failed to correctly identify which sites or articles were misinformation.

For current university students, media literacy may have only been taught to them in high school or beginning college English courses, but solely for research purposes when writing essays.

Misinformation is now much larger than simply being told not to trust what one reads on Wikipedia. Today misinformation is used to pit the public against each other and spread harmful campaigns that target those most vulnerable.

In an age of technology, misinformation is typically easier to spot when receiving scam text messages or when a bot account tries to follow you through social media. The evolution of computers, however, is now leading to a widespread use of AI technologies that are meant to create their own images and trick viewers into believing a false narrative.

The development of deep fakes can now make it so it appears that someone is saying or doing something that was done by another person. Images can also be created to portray persons completing any action imaginable. Other AI inventions, like Chat GPT, are writing essays and articles after inputting just a few prompts. A recent image of Pope Francis wearing a high fashion coat was spread online fooling many into believing it was real to the discontent of the public, showing how believable and dangerous AI has become. These advancements in technology will only continue making it more difficult to discern which information is true.

Instead of blaming those who fall victim to misinformation, media literacy needs to be taught starting in primary school through higher education. Students in most public schools are now given iPads or laptops allowing them access to the online world. By teaching students to sort through incredible sites at a young age, they will grow up alongside the fast changing internet. The only way to combat misinformation and give the public an upper hand is to help them understand how it is being H used against them. ■

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ARE MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE PUBLIC TO DISCERN MISINFORMATION.

The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

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OPINIONS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

5

It’s time to duel AYLIN MORENO Contributing Writer

IF A BUNCH OF OLD RICH ARISTOCRATS WERE DUELING FOR SOMETHING AS FLEETING AS HONOR, THEN THE EVERYDAY PERSON SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DUEL OVER THE LAST TELEVISION ON BLACK FRIDAY. To no one’s surprise, violence in America is of great concern. In fact, Gallup released a report that 72% of Americans believe crime rates will rise within the year.

With the recent shut in of the majority of the population, it is common to turn on each other. There is a lack of trust, our neighbor is a suspect, and all people want to do sometimes is give someone a really good smack. The average person is not alone in their anger and this, understandably, may scare the majority of the population. This is why, as a society, dueling should make a comeback — the age old practice of honorable revenge.

People quarrel. However, the way in which people quarrel defi nes modern civility.

The media plays unending bad news where people continuously hurt each other, whether it’s gun violence, road rage or even parking lot fist fights on Black Friday.

Dueling is a long lost tradition that allowed the common person to make violence socially acceptable by making it about honor. A tradition that entails swooning women, or men, flowing pirate blouses and swords heavier than anything you could purchase at an IKEA. Instead of fighting unceremoniously with your neighbor over a missing Amazon package and potentially calling the police, bring out some old muskets and handle the situation like civil people. Of course, the blood shed may be the same, but at least you’ll resemble the hot guy on Bridgerton for a few brief moments.

Society has allotted rules of social civility often thought to be archaic and really only followed by boomers with money. Duels have a rigid set of rules set out initially by the King Gundebald of Burgundy. During his reign he declared that irreconcilable differences may be settled through combat. No one would know or understand more about civility than an old rich monarch.

Take into consideration all those times people can and have been slighted, a neighbor’s dog pooped in the wrong yard, a family member didn’t do the dishes even though they said they would or maybe the Fedex guy tossed a package into the yard even though it clearly says fragile on the box. Rather than silently penting up the anger

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and the rage, instead, challenge the Fedex guy to a duel! Relieve your therapist of their duties and take up a weapon of choice for a cinematic scrimmage with your grandma.

James Demonaco’s The Purge is a fantastic allegory for relieving the same pent up emotional drudgeries that could be otherwise quenched by a good duel. This 2013 film portrays everyday citizens that take up arms and flesh out their grievances on a government approved holiday. This is an exaggerated solution to the dilemmas laid out previously, however the movie did give viewers some notions to think about. For example, the film renders a set of rules that must be followed within its cinematic universe in order for the purge to work correctly. Similar to dueling, the rules set the standard of its validity. And while the violence in the movie is nowhere near as Hamilton-esque of a dueling match, there is still a great deal of humanizing vengeance.

Violence is a never ending and true part of the human experience. Whether one wishes to push away the notion with therapy, spirituality or the newest iphone.

Undoubtedly, there is something that needs to be done about the rise in hostility and distrust. Dueling funnels all that energy into a picturesque scene that could be enjoyed at dinner parties, on your estate, in a concert hall or even a Wendy’s parking lot. Dueling is the answer to the rising anger flitting within your hearts. Instead of ignoring it completely, lean into it and make a scene with the one who has scorned you.

Dueling is an inevitable artform that can bring about absolute peace solidarity, as well as a more aesthetic public. Whether it’s swords or a musket– people should knock on their neighbor’s door today and challenge them to a duel!

“Nepo-babies:” Riding their parents’ coattails CECILE DIROLL Contributing Writer

THE GROWING SPOTLIGHT ON NEPOTISM IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES IS LONG OVERDUE. Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA basketball player LeBron James, faced a tough fi nal high school basketball season at Sierra Canyon High due to a knee injury. Many expected Bronny to live up to his father’s greatness. But, ranked 34th nationally and inconsistent during games, Bronny’s less-than-exceptional journey to the NBA raises the question of whether he merits the attention and praise he is receiving on Twitter and from large companies like Nike. Children following in the footsteps of their famous parents is not a new phenomenon in sports, as many of today’s best athletes have superstar parents. Though “nepo-babies” is a newer term to describe celebrity children, nepotism — or favoring personal connections over merit — is not a new occurrence in society. Nepotism has played a significant role in society and the economy for centuries. However, the culture of nepotism has grown entirely disproportionate in sports, entertainment, business, and politics as it has become more visible through social media.

The current crop of “nepo-babies” populate Hollywood to an inequitable degree.

“Nepo-babies” often are afforded roles due to their parent’s celebrity status, such as Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of actor Johnny Depp, who starred alongside him in Yoga Hosers at the age of fifteen. Or Jaden Smith, son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who also starred with his father in the Oscar-nominated film Pursuit of Happiness at six. In a competitive industry with limited roles, projects, and productions, the privilege of getting into the audition room or having a small role in a family member’s film makes a difference. When opportunities are reserved for “nepo-babies,” working-class actors do not have the opportunity to achieve the same degree of success or recognition.

“Nepo-babies” also infiltrate the economy with many family businesses in the marketplace. Of the largest public companies, according to studies, family fi rms account for 64% of the nation’s GDP. Walmart, for example, is owned by the Walton family, who continue to be the company’s major shareholders. However, maintaining family management has consequences, as economists fi nd “nepo-babies” are more

likely to exercise destructive management practices and declare bankruptcy.

Perhaps the most destructive form of nepotism is in U.S. politics. Most recently, former President Donald Trump appointed his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, as his senior advisors despite having none of the typical experience or training requirements for these positions. Indeed, Ivanka and Jared held important foreign policy responsibilities such as mediating the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. Appointing family members to high government positions leads to conflicting interests as “nepo-babies’’ often serve their own agendas and personal interests at the expense of the public. There is an investigation looking into the $2 billion investment from the Saudi government in Kushner’s private equity fi rm as it was discovered that Kushner and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman messaged privately during Trump’s term.

Nepotism has always existed, but with social media, more transparency about the influence of “nepo-babies” has allowed people to publicly call out this unjust practice. Though there are “nepo-babies” who worked to show that they were deserving of the opportunities they received, such as MVP Stephen Curry or Oscaraward winner Jamie Lee Curtis, these deserving “nepo-babies” still benefit from professional mentoring and connections they did not earn.

Bronny’s connection to his father has undoubtedly provided him with unwarranted attention and sponsorships, such as his NIL $10 million endorsement deal with Nike signed last year. As Warren Buffet, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, stated, “a lot of people don’t win” the “ovarian lottery” — the luck of being born at the right place and time. But, familial ties shouldn’t be what dictates access and success. In a society that claims to be a meritocracy above all else, it’s important to call this practice out as it gives unfair advantages that shut others out and undermines the ideal of equal opportunity. ■ H

FEATURES

FEATURES

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

Weekly Horoscope YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

Earth signs are steady. They are the unmoving ground beneath your feet and the people you can count on. A person is only as good as their word, and Earth signs keep their promises in spades. Earth signs are inherently logical and goal-oriented.

It can be their weakness to miss intricacies along the way because they focus on the end product. Surprisingly, earth signs are sometimes seen as materialistic. However, they also put a high value on security, whether it be financial or

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THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

FEATURES

You’re Acting Crazy NATALIE DAHL Staff Writer

Want to become a master of the first G in Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss?

Stop listening to what your silly friends are telling you and start deceiving your partner today!

Step One: Do Your Research Start your gaslighting journey by sitting down to watch the 1944 movie Gaslight. If you want to go the extra mile, read the 1938 play Gas Light that the movie was based on. Both focus on a husband isolating his rich wife, manipulating her to think she is not mentally well, and stealing her money. Take note of the patience the husband uses in committing to the long con of tricking his wife and use his inspiration to remind you that gaslighting is a marathon, not a sprint.

Step Two: Lay the Groundwork To help you ease into your deceit, make your partner feel too smart to be gaslighted. One wonderful example of gaslighting I’ve seen firsthand is my friend’s partner telling her that she’s “too intelligent to be tricked” and “would never fall for something like that.” By making her believe she’s superior to others and would never fall victim to this manipulation, she has become much more vulnerable and receptive to future gaslighting.

This part of the process is crucial before you jump into your exploitation so that your partner does not become suspicious.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Gaslighting Your Partner.

Step Three: Start Small In the movie Gaslight, the gas light of the house changed every time the husband left. Pay just as much attention to detail to your own gaslighting.

Start small by moving books around from shelf to shelf, slow inching your tv to the left, or replacing the brand of bagels you buy. By starting small and denying changes in the little aspects of your partner’s life, you will be able to pull larger heists in no time.

Step Four: Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor Now’s the time to take advantage of your hard work. You can start lying to your partner about what days you have class and how you did the dishes last so it’s their turn yet again. My favorite application of gaslighting is trying your partner into believing they know nothing about your favorite foods. The next time they buy you your favorite ice cream flavor for your birthday, make them feel crazy by lying and saying it’s your least favorite.

Coffee Reviews: who has the best iced vanilla latte in Riverside?

ASHLEY CHEN Features Editor

Iced vanilla lattes are always my go-to drink whenever I explore new coffee shops. It’s one of my favorite coffee drinks when I’m in a rush, or when I need something to wake me up. Throughout the fall and winter quarters, I decided to explore several coffee shops around Riverside and review their takes on the iced vanilla latte. My usual order is an iced vanilla latte with either 2% milk, or almond milk as an alternative.

Throughout this review, I mainly focused on ordering my vanilla latte with almond milk.

First up on the list was Condron Coffee. They had a variety of different milks and dairy alternatives. The espresso in my iced vanilla latte was super strong, which was perfect for my liking. The almond milk also had the consistency of cow’s milk and it wasn’t too watery or creamy. As for the shop itself, if you are going there to do homework, be aware that it’s really hard to find a seat unless you arrive first thing in the morning.

They have outdoor seating sometimes, but with the recent cold weather , it’s not super ideal to be doing homework outside right now. Overall, I would give their iced vanilla latte a 9/10.

Next up is Arcade Bakehouse and Arcade Coffee Roaster. They have two locations on different sides of campus, and each location specializes in food at the former and coffee at the latter. They took a while making my iced vanilla latte but after tasting it, I realized all that time produced the best vanilla latte I’ve tasted. It had a very strong coffee scent but it wasn’t overpowering. They also have plenty of food and pastry options for those who are looking for something quick to eat at either of their locations! Overall, I would give it a 10/10.

Last but not least is Twee Coffee. They did not have a wide selection of milks —they strictly only serve milk substitutes, so come prepared to choose between almond, soy or oat. Their iced vanilla latte was alright.

The almond milk slightly overpowered the vanilla and espresso, so if you’re looking for something that tastes more like coffee, this might not be for you. I also suggest going later in the day rather than first thing in the morning since it will get packed by 8 A.M. The shop was also pretty small and the music can sometimes get a little too loud so if you’re look-

ing for a place to study or do work, get there early and bring soundproof headphones. Overall, I would give it an 8/10.

These are just a few of the many coffee shops around campus. Some of these coffee shops specialize in certain food or other drinks so it’s worth a try if you enjoy exploring new coffee shops or just need a quick snack. If you’re tired of on-campus coffee shops or have the urge to explore Riverside, I suggest checking out these places! ■H

Reviewing iced vanilla lattes from coffee shops around Riverside

COURTESY OF PEXELS

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

Ramadan Recipes: Vegetarian Moroccan Harira SENNA OMAR Assistant Features Editor

PERFECT SOUP TO BREAK YOUR FAST WITH THIS RAMADAN. Being away from home during Ramadan is hard, especially if this is your first time making your own Iftars. Every night during Ramadan, my mom makes the traditional Moroccan soup Harira. Although Harira usually has meat in it, this version is meatless (I am a vegetarian) and much faster to make. Try out this easy Ramadan Iftar to remind you of home.

½ tsp of cinnamon 1 tbsp of ground coriander 1 cup of lentils 1 lemon ¼ cup grounded oatmeal

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Serving Size: 7-10 Ingredients:

Ingredient Preparation: Create 4 slits at the top of the tomatoes. Place tomatoes in boiling water until they are soft to the touch. Peel the skin off the tomatoes and puree them in a food processor or blender.

Grate the onions and finely chop the celery, parsley, and cilantro.

4 tomatoes 2 tbsp of tomato paste 2 cups of water 1 stalk of celery (with leaves) 1 bunch of parsley 1 bunch of cilantro 1 yellow onion 1 cup of chickpeas 1 ½ cups of brown or green lentils 1 tbsp of black pepper 1 tbsp of kosher salt 1 tbsp of ginger powder 1 tbsp of cumin

Directions: In a pot, saute the celery, onions, parsley, and cilantro until the celery is soft and the onions are translucent. Add seasonings (salt, pepper, ginger, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon) to the mixture while it is cooking.

Add tomato puree and water into a pot and stir. Once the mixture has come to a simmer, add the chickpeas and lentils to the soup. Place cap over the pot and allow soup to simmer until lentils are cooked all the way through.

Thicken the soup by adding grounded oatmeal (or flour and water mixture); simmer the soup for 5-10 more minutes.

H Remove from heat and serve with lemon and cilantro over top. ■

Spring Has Sprung!

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38 Longest curve of the rainbow 39 Campus' stinky trees that bloom in Spring Quarter 42 Opposite of his 44 New Zealander's nickname 45 Alterative to the ACT 46 Full of eagerness 48 Homonym of seed 50 Dwarf buffalo 54 Playful or humorous 56 Using a rotary phone 59 UCR's annual May concert 62 To clear a chalkboard 65 Carolers' tunes 66 KGB's American counterpart 67 Batman's sidekick 68 Crime or shopping ______ 69 _____-it ice cream sandwiches 70 Unofficial Marine slogan "improvise, _____, overcome"

71 Students' end of quarter headaches 72 What a volleyball travels over DOWN 1 Granola's Swiss cousin 2 _____ Sesamed 3 Can be slippery 4 Lucky number gamble 5 Gives a thumbs up 6 Lady in distress 7 Beowulf or The Odyssey 8 Where to store grain 9 Decrees from an authority 10 Makes a reaction happen 11 Finder's ____ 12 Monster in LOTR 13 Latin root for easy 21 A lighthearted tune (minus one "la") 22 Traffic slowdowns 25 Hamilton's foe 26 Anger

27 Famous East Coast cape 30 Pungent 31 Demure 34 A cow says "oo" and produces "____" 35 It cuts the cheese 37 Princess slumber disturber 39 Holey shoe 40 A female sheep 41 "Not even a little bit, not even _____." - Kat Stratford, 10 Things I Hate About You 42 Hannover airport, abbr.

43 Ratatouille critic 47 Hot tea 49 Lawn trimmers 51 Vitamin B3 52 At the location 53 Appalled 55 Exhausted or broke 57 Baby island 58 Half-domes in churches 60 Org. 61 Jordan Peele's most recent film 62 Taylor Swift's current tour (singular) 63 What you fish with 64 Sweden's most famous band (minus Björn or Benny)

Radar

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/radar

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

9

Melanie Martinez rebirths and rejuvenates herself in ‘PORTALS’ The new album experiments with the fantastical as Crybaby’s journey comes to an end.

BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

Feb. 18, 2023, marked the death of Crybaby — aka, Melanie Martinez’s beloved character from her debut and visual album, “K-12.” The singer’s second album marked itself as a beautiful creation that not only allowed them to experiment with a storyline about a demonic character but also explore messages about self-love and identity all while critiquing higher education.

Martinez’s new album “PORTALS’’ features the singer as a pink creature with four large eyes, fairy wings and a flowery dress. Their new look was fully shown in their single’s music video “DEATH,” where Martinez’s Crybaby character is seen laying on the earth as their new body emerges from it. Rather than the typical pastel pink and blues from past settings, Martinez reimagines a new environment filled with pastel green hues of nature and new oddities.

Tracks such as “TUNNEL VISION,” “FAERIE SOIRÉE” and “SPIDER WEB” take on a different approach in their rhythm as they contain a lighter feeling, pulling listeners into Martinez’s fantastical journey. This is especially felt in “VOID,” the second released single and Martinez’s first solo-produced song. Though it begins with a cheerful tone, the song’s

beats pick up speed and release emotions of feeling trapped in one’s thoughts. There’s a certain anguish in Martinez’s voice, causing “VOID” to feel personal as they reflect on their mental health journey.

“LIGHT SHOWERS” is one of the slower tracks on the album. Its somber lyrics allude to finding that safe person for oneself and wanting to be with them forever, but Martinez doesn’t sugarcoat the desire in wanting to devour that person and remain infinitely together: “You’re a shower of light I’d devour any day of the week / Baby, cleanse me.” The seventh track, “LEECHES,” follows the aforementioned track’s use of string instrumentation as it draws upon the ways people portray themselves around others.

Similar to past songs, Martinez utilizes sound effects in “THE CONTORTIONIST” such as the crunching of broken bones and Martinez’s signature laughter that bellows throughout the chorus. The song begins as a soft, almost playful tune and later evokes sorrow and anxiety as power dynamics in relationships are critiqued. “(Bones are crushing, bones are crushing) Pushin’ me / (Body’s touching, body’s touching) Lovin’ me” repeat in the pre-chorus, creating a sense of desperation of having to meet a

partner’s expectations to continue being loved.

“MOON CYCLE” plays with strings as the track hits upon the stereotypes against menstruation and adds a flair of criticism toward misogynistic views. “It’s so scary how my aura got him howling at my moon cycle, baby” may cause some to squirm and recoil, but it illuminates a taboo subject about menstrual cycles that certain audiences may not find appealing.

Straying away from pop sounds, “EVIL” kicks on a synth-rock rhythm as Martinez fully embraces the idea of leaving a toxic relationship. Their voice chants the lyrics powerfully and makes listeners root for Martinez’s closure. The album closes with “WOMB,” a track that feels down-to-earth with hipster elements as Martinez’s character and musical career are reborn.

After “PORTALS” was released, Martinez went on Instagram to say, “This album is the last part of Crybaby’s trilogy.” The journey of this character has evolved from childhood to adolescence, and now appears to be on a new journey within the afterlife, H and as Martinez describes her, as a spirit.■

ENCAPSULATES MELANIE MARTINEZ’S VERDICT: “PORTALS” RETURN TO MUSIC WITH AN ETHEREAL-LIKE ESSENCE AND BRUTAL HONESTY.

Lana Del Rey reclaims her alt-pop crown with ‘Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd’ JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

Lana Del Rey does it once again with her full-length LP, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd.” The singer released a jewel of a record on March 24 following a two-week pushback.

After the sorrowful and intimate previous release “Blue Banisters,” Del Rey’s direction was unexpected.

“Blue Banisters” depicted Del Rey in her most vulnerable state with open discussions about superficial relationships and suicidal feelings.

Del Rey told Rolling Stone UK, “So, Blue Banisters was more of an explanatory album, more of a defensive album, which is why I didn’t promote it, period, at all. I didn’t want anyone to listen to it. I just wanted it to be there in case anyone was ever curious for any information.”

Carrying on from “Blue Banisters,” the artist continues to heal from her toxic past of cultural appropriation and a damsel-in-distress attitude. Tracks like “Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing,” act as a commentary and almost exclusively serves the listeners. The press has notoriously been cold to Del Rey. She’s been accused of being antifeminist, making her a poor writer and less of an artist for it according to criticism. The track reveals her truth and her authenticity as an artist. The quiet drum kit and the hopeful piano are the foundation of the song’s strength, besides Del Rey’s father’s shoulder muscles.

“Regrettably, also a white woman / But I have good intentions even if I’m one of the last ones.”

Listening to the record is much like reading Del Rey’s poetic diaries. The self-reflection on the album is accompanied by beautiful production by Jack Antonoff and Drew Ericson. The ballads are drenched in gentle

strings led by the singer’s angel-like voice. Del Rey comforts herself, yet questions a future life with a spouse and children on tracks like “Sweet” and “Fingertips.”

On “Fingertips” she asks “Will the baby be alright?

Will I have one of mine? / Can I handle it even if I do? / It’s said that my mind is not fit, or so they said, to carry a child / I guess I’ll be fine.”

But her love song, “Sweet” drops her doubt with a partner of hers. “Do you want children? Do you wanna marry me? / Do you wanna run marathons in Long Beach by the sea? / I’ve got things to do, like nothing at all / I wanna do them with you / Do you wanna do them with me?”

The love for her family on the album is no secret as well, especially in the opening song “The Grants.” The artist is known for choosing a striking opener and “The Grants” is no exception. With the accompaniment of a haunting choir and backup vocals, singing about the afterlife has never been as delightful as she makes it out to be.

As serious as she can be, Del Rey also sprinkles her playful and comical touch between songs. From the use of vape crackles buried on “A&W” to her Los Angeles quirk on “Taco Truck x VB,” these subtle additions are what tie the album together.

The only skippable moments on the record are the interludes and some lazy creative direction. Megachurch pastor, Judah Smith, on “Judah Smith Interlude” yells on about keeping the faith and the promise of a god. The minor key piano on this track is what makes this track so eerie and it is questionable as to what Del Rey wants the listener to interpret due to her satirical laughs and vocal affirmations. “Jon Batiste Interlude” also feels like a late

DEL REY’S LATEST RECORD LEAVES THE LISTENER WITH EMOTIONAL CHILLS VERDICT: LANA ALONGSIDE THEIR DANCING. THE ALBUM WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE IN THE ROTATION OF EVERY SOCAL GIRL YOU KNOW.

COURTESY OF THOMAS HAWK VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-NC 2.0

addition to the record without adding much substance, unless you prefer to hear Jon Batiste messing around for more than 3 minutes on the piano.

Del Rey’s sampling can get uninspiring on “Paris, Texas” and “Peppers.” The original tracks from SYML and Tommy Genesis are barely altered. However, Del Rey came to deliver on the experimental pop journey in “Peppers.” The artist’s staple guitar synthesizer paired with Tommy Genesis’ flirtatious rap is a complementary couple.

The album ends with fan service by gifting Del Rey listeners a reworked version of “Venice B—” deriving out of her 2019 LP “Norman F— Rockwell.” The remix is incomparable to the nine-minute song and is an awkward closure to the album. While the beginning of “Taco Truck x VB” is every Southern California girl’s anthem, Del Rey’s hip-hop style ad-libs are unserious and make the ending of the track a glance over.

“Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” is Del Rey’s passion project. From the hopeless romantic nature and collaborative chemistry with Father John Misty on “Let The Light In” to her family dedications throughout the album, it is the singer’s best record yet.

Del Rey has mastered her sound and perfected it with this release. Beginning at magical strings and ending with 808s, she’s got it all. While “Blue Banisters” was her most vulnerable record, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” opens up Del Rey’s innermost thoughts in a truly remarkable way. Just like the tunnel under Ocean Blvd, the best songwriter of our generation, H Lana Del Rey, will not be forgotten anytime soon. ■

10 TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/radar

The endless amount of impeccably crafted gun-heavy action fires ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ to success Keanu Reeves’ stoic ferocity alongside seasoned veteran Donnie Yen form a partnership that leads them on an epic quest unrivaled by the rest of the franchise.

MAX BRIGGS Staff Writer

American action cinema has often lagged behind its Asian counterparts, who particularly honed the art of onscreen hand-to-hand combat, combined with masterful stunt work. One turning point on a mainstream scale occurred with the release of “The Matrix” in 1999 when the legendary choreographer Yuen Woo-ping brought Hong Kongstyle choreography to the country. Keanu Reeves stars as Neo in the aforementioned film, and plays the titular character in the “John Wick” series. Known for its tendency to showcase an assortment of deadly weapons, martial artists such as Cecep Arif Rahman and Yayan Ruhian (from “John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum”) also play prominent roles in crafting the action, adding more flair to the already impressive action sequences.

With director Chad Stahelski remaining at the helm of the fourth chapter, this ongoing trend is continued by the inclusion of Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada and Scott Adkins. The 169-minute runtime is the longest of the series, with prominence placed solely on the adrenaline, ultimately utilizing its length to elongate what would be a simple narrative to soaring new heights.

The structure of the film is similar to a video game where the main character progresses to reach a final goal, obtaining help from friends along the way, all while facing off against formidable foes. Reeves’ acting is reminiscent of the boogeyman, as he feeds off of the energy of those around him, growing stronger by the second. His skill set and weaponry also increase exponentially, with the latter staying true to

the previous installments. While critics may consider his demeanor to be one note, the spirit of “Baba Yaga” is portrayed like a player-controlled character placed within a pre-existing set of code, slightly unnerving and even out of place at times.

Wick’s first battle set in Osaka showcases the combination rather than separation of impressive camerawork and choreography, without infringing on their respective capabilities. Sequences like these somehow unfold in a graceful manner that is jarringly disrupted by short bursts of brutality. Each minute detail seems to have significance, with even the raindrops symbolizing the rampant bloodshed.

Singer Rina Sawayama’s brilliant film debut as Akira functions as the first instance of a side character whose inclusion aids the overall story, a theme that quickly becomes commonplace. Ian McShane, Clancy Brown and Laurence Fishburne all use their limited screen time to make the most out of their roles, exhibiting that the few scenes without action have importance as well.

The world inhabited by these characters is made clear to be one of heightened reality, as the protagonists navigate through absurd situations.

Marquis Vincent de Gramont’s (Bill Skarsgård) needlessly cruel behavior reinforces this, as the ongoing feud between him and Wick forges a path where only havoc remains. Objective logic is forsaken for hyper-choreographed scenes, where almost superhuman feats of strength are displayed. However, this allows each fighter to distinguish themselves from one another, with the development of their characterization coming from the unique set of gadgets

and fighting styles they employ. Combined with the plentiful and fresh action set pieces, none of the combat feels repetitive whatsoever.

Much of the success of these scenes is due to the talent of Yen, who finally earns a Hollywood role worthy of his skill. His martial arts expertise shines in particular, with his already perfected hand-to-hand combat and swordplay proving why he continues to be one of the greatest action stars to ever grace the screen. The cast’s experience in fighting allows them to participate in longer takes, which boosts the authenticity of each elaborate sequence. Entire scenes are often shot in different styles, ranging from lighting, weapons and camera angles. Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard’s return to scoring the franchise complements the movie’s fast pace, with the grand and ambitious soundscape spotlighting the high stakes.

John Wick has become a mythical figure that not only transcends the confines of physics but increases our propensity to be entertained. The cinematography is never dull, with darkness only being used when Wick’s both physical and metaphorical firepower leaves those it decides to untouched. Emphasis should be placed on the experience rather than the events depicted themselves, as noted by Stahelski’s overarching intent. Technically excellent to the highest degree, the film has earned its place alongside “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” in keeping the modern American action genre alive and H kicking. ■

FOURTH AND INCREASINGLY FRENETIC VERDICT: WICK’S ENCOUNTER ON THE QUEST FOR VENGEANCE CANNOT BE MISSED BY ANY FANS OF THE ACTION GENRE.

From the ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ community: Thank you Beyond the Summit BRENDAN VO Contributing Writer

COURTESY OF LIONSGATE FILMS

Beyond the Summit closes its doors, leaving the competitive scene of Super Smash Bros. with new ideas and hope for the future.

The competitive scene of the Nintendo Switch’s “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” says goodbye to an era of tournaments with Beyond the Summit’s closure.

The last tournament hosted by the organization, Smash Ultimate Summit 6, was streamed on Twitch on Mar. 23 through Mar. 26 of this year. Founded as a passion project inspired by the potential of e-sports, the organization of Beyond the Summit has solidified itself as an incredible tournament organizer, as well as a premier production company for 11 years. Smash Ultimate players and spectators will mourn the loss of high-quality tournaments, entertaining content and colossal prize pools.

What made Beyond the Summit a beloved organization irreplaceable was its ability to bring out the full personalities of top professional smash players. Unlike other tournaments that focus on refining the orthodox style of competition, Beyond the Summit’s invitationalstyle tournaments took the opportunity of the gathering of these players to create skits, songs and performances. In these tournaments, a chosen 16 players from the highest echelon of competitive Smash Ultimate are challenged.

Not only to compete against each other in their signature game but also be challenged in ridiculous escapades like talent shows, comedy skits and painting. Seeing your favorite Smash Ultimate competitor in high-level competition and professional quality production was a blessing to the grassroots community. It allowed for insight into the potential of a spectator-focused approach to creating competitive content for major tournaments.

Another notable quirk of the Smash Summit

tournament series was how it sported a cozy and comforting environment for both the players and commentators. This contrasted with the usual intense, high-pressure major tournaments that aim to amplify excitement and competitiveness with their matches.

This was led by the spontaneous nature of impromptu interviews with players after matches, unseen in other Smash Ultimate events.

Why the content created by Beyond the Summit is quintessential in the growth of Super Smash Bros Ultimate is its value to spectatorship. With the addition of top players on full display, the narratives that each player has built within their climbing of the rankings are also exposed. The competitive scene of Smash Ultimate is an interweaving of stories from each player trying to climb the ladder of tournaments and reach the throne of champions. The Smash Summit series was able to express this fusion by presenting each player in their narrative. This particular style of tournament heightens the level of spectatorship akin to matches in boxing or MMA. The invitational structure of these tournaments is key, therefore, there must be more ways or incentives to hold large-scale invitationals. This can be done with an intelligent and reliable ranking system that does not yet exist in the current environment of competitive Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Having a consistent ranking structure of players allows tournament organizers to streamline the process of inviting the top players by relying on said rankings, unlike Smash Summit 6 which had to create a system of its own.

With Smash Ultimate Summit 6 being the final,

foreseeable tournament from Beyond the Summit, will another organization or team ever completely step into the shoes of Beyond the Summit? While possible, with this iteration of Super Smash Bros, the remarkable production behind the tournament series may never be produced again. Esport Insider reports that “BTS’ Managing Partner David Gorman stated via Twitter, stating that the company will offer its staff severance and benefits, as well as fulfill all existing contracts with all clients,” meaning the talented staff and team behind Beyond the Summit have been laid off after the weekend (Ivan Šimić, 2023).

Thus, they may be dispersed to other organizations that do not entail producing content for competitive Smash Ultimate tournaments. The tough pill to swallow for the Smash community is that Beyond the Summit is truly incomparable in its ability to produce a successful, yet unique, experience for spectators that other established tournament series cannot replicate.

However, in holding an optimistic perspective on the situation, the possibility of a new Smash game may reinvigorate the entire scene itself. The five-year-old Smash Ultimate has already been struggling to hold sponsorships and partnerships, but a new iteration would lead to a revival of the scene and boundless opportunities for players to create another story.

While Beyond the Summit’s marriage of high-level production and competitive Super Smash Bros ultimate tournaments will be missed, there are still opportunities to improve on the current scene. Smash Ultimate Summit 6 leaves behind new ideas and concepts for existing H tournament series to replicate.■

12 TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

SPORTS

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

UC Riverside men’s basketball team lands 3 McDonald’s AllAmericans, including the son of Lebron James, Bronny HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team is set to have its best recruiting season as they landed three McDonald’s All-American players, including the son of NBA superstar Lebron James, Bronny. In a shocking turn of events, Bronny James decided to commit to UC Riverside to pursue his collegiate career after getting offers from USC and Ohio State. The other two McDonald’s All-Americans, Isaiah Collier and Jared McCain, all decommitted from their respective schools to join Bronny James and form a big three next year at UC Riverside. All three players shined at the McDonald’s All-American game that just happened in Houston, Texas, giving head coach Mike Magpayo great excitement for next season, who just signed a new five-year contract to remain the head coach for the Highlanders.

Bronny James is a 6’3 190 pound guard from Sierra High School who is ranked #34 on the ESPN Top 100. He has a great all-around game with exceptional playmaking abilities, a great three-point jump shot, and one of the best defenders in his class. According to scouts, Bronny James has a high basketball IQ and a great feel for the game. He lets the game come to him and does not try to force plays. His biggest weakness would be his shot-creating ability as there would be times when he fails to score on his own.

However, the sky’s the limit for the son of Lebron James and he is compared to a Jrue

Holiday and Lonzo Ball type of player.

Bronny is going to seamlessly fit into Coach Magpayo’s system.

Isaiah Collier is a 6’3 190 pound guard from Wheeler High School who is ranked #3 on the ESPN Top 100. He has a strong build and is very great at taking contact and fi nishing at the rim. Like Bronny James, Collier is a great playmaker and is never rushed into making the right play as well as having all the tools needed to become a great defender according to scouts at the McDonald’s All-American game. His biggest weakness would be his ability to shoot the three-ball and free throws. However, Collier’s intangibles and skillset would make an immediate impact on this Highlander team.

Jared McCain is a 6’2 195 pound guard from Centennial High School who is ranked #12 on the ESPN Top 100. He is a very proficient shooter that can score at all three levels and can also play off the ball. According to scouts, McCain is great at creating his own shot, working the pick-and-roll, and has a high basketball IQ. His biggest weakness would be his lack of natural athleticism and forcing a play to happen occasionally. However, McCain’s game seems to be very polished and his social media presence would defi nitely attract many fans to watch the Highlanders play next season.

In all seriousness, congratulations to the head coach Mike Magpayo for receiving a new five-year contract after

coaching the men’s basketball team to their best season in program history in only his third year as the head coach.

Magpayo and the team fi nished with over 20 wins this season, the fi rst 20-win season in school history. The awards came flooding in for this Highlander squad led

by Magpayo winning the 2023 Big West Coach of the Year. Graduate transfer guard Jamal Hartwell II received the 2023 Big West Sixth Man of the Year and freshman forward Lachlan Olbrich received the 2023 Big West Freshman of the Year.

Senior guard Zyon Pullin received Big West All-First Team and graduate student Flynn Cameron received Big West AllSecond Team. However, Magpayo and his scouting team will have to dig deep into the new recruiting class and transfer portal as many key players will not be with the team next year. Cameron signed a threeyear deal to play overseas for Melbourne United and Olbrich also signed a threeyear deal to play overseas for the Illawarra Hawks, the same team NBA star LaMelo Ball played for overseas. Pullin has put his name forward for the 2023 NBA draft, hoping to become the fi rst UC Riverside player to be drafted in the NBA since Tim Bell in 1984. With the recent success of getting quality players from the transfer portal, the Highlanders will have to repeat the same success if they want to continue their winning ways from recent seasons.

UCR downs crosstown rivals Cal Baptist 8-2 snapping a 7 game losing streak KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

The UC Riverside Highlanders secured an impressive 8-2 victory against the California Baptist Lancers in a midweek Crosstown Showdown, showcasing both their offensive and defensive prowess.

The Highlanders had just come off the Big West opening series against Long Beach State, and had a short turnaround time to prepare for the Lancers. However, they did not let that affect their performance on the field.

The game got off to a shaky start for the Highlanders, with a Lancer home run in the bottom of the fi rst inning. However, Highlander starter senior Tyler Frazier held his own and prevented any further runs from crossing the plate. Frazier went on to throw two complete innings before being replaced by senior Cruz Barrios, who continued to hold the Lancers at bay.

While the Highlander defense put up a strong front, the UC Riverside bats got to work in the fourth inning. Sophomore Jayden Lopez walked and senior Jacob Shanks singled, advancing Lopez to second base.Junior, Alphonzo Mancinas, grounded out to move Lopez and Shanks to second and third base. Lopez then

scored the fi rst UCR run on a passed ball.

Junior, Anthony McFarland walked to put UCR runners on the corners, and sophomore, Jacob Badawi hit a double to left field, scoring both Shanks and McFarland before advancing to third on the throw home. Weaver then hit a single to right field, sending Badawi home for the fourth run of the inning.

In the fifth inning, Shanks earned his second RBI by sending junior Marcellus Pearson home with a ground out, putting the score at 5-1.

The Lancers managed to score another run in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the deficit to 5-2. However, the momentum was short-lived as junior, Dominic Martinez hit a home run to re-establish a four-run advantage for the Highlanders.

Martinez continued to dominate the game, hitting a two-RBI double in the ninth inning that scored Badawi and Weaver. The Highlanders’ bullpen also played a crucial role in stifling the Lancers, with Jack Weeks and Alexander Rivas combining to secure the fi nal frame.

Martinez led the Highlanders to victory offensively, going two for four with a home run, a double, and three RBIs. Badawi also played an

The Highlanders get their best recruiting class in program history and look to take over the Big West next season.

The Highlanders were able to secure a much needed win to end their 7 game skid off the back of a four run fourth inning.

integral role, going two for four with two runs and two RBIs. On the mound, Jake Gebb was outstanding for the Highlanders, throwing four innings with three strikeouts, no runs, and just one hit.

Overall, the Highlanders put on an impressive display, showcasing their talent both on the mound and at the plate. Their victory against the Lancers demonstrated that they could perform better than their record and their ability to perform under pressure, given the short turnaround time between games. The Highlanders continue the rest of their eight game road trip with games at CSUN, SDSU and Cal Poly. ■ H

COURTESY OF UCR SPORTS