Swinging For Life: A Garrett Hampson Story

Garrett Hampson is a Jr at Cal State Long Beach where he studies Consumer Affairs by day, and is a Dirtbag by night! Well......Afternoon....Whenever baseball practice is! Anyway Hampson has loved the sport of baseball since the age of 4, and that love has not diminished even slightly. Born in Reno Nevada he attended Reno high school where his varsity team won back to back regional championships. Talk about some hungry Huskies! After high school Hampson took his talents to Cal State where he was CBN All-Freshmen Team, 2014 all Big West First Team, and Player of the Year his Freshmen year!  His Sophomore year he made All-Big West Second Team, and to top the year off he made the USA Collegiate National Team! This season Hampson has made history recording 200 career hits! Which is something only 11 Dirtbags have done! On top of that he knocked out his first career homer at Blair Field this season. This kid is going to be something special, and we can assure you this won't be the last time his name is seen on our website. We wish Garrett and the Dirtbags the best of luck as they continue their season, and we believe just as much as he does that this sport can become a career for Garrett Hampson! Check out the Dirtbags schedule below, and follow Garrett on IG!

Long Beach State Dirtbags 2016 Schedule

Instagram: Ghamp2

Compton Seahawakd Spring/Summer Camp

Date: May 21st, June 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th 

Time: 10am-12pm 

Location: Gonzalez Park, 1101 W Cressey St. Compton, CA 90220

Admission: $10 per camp or $35 for all. 

Contact: Dre - 509-828-8387

Chasing The Dream

As children all every little hooper wanted was to go to the league. As we grow older we realize that it takes a TON of hardwork, and a lifetime of dedication to even make it to the collegiate level. Most players find out in high school if they really are willing to put that time, and work in to truly achieve that goal. Kyle Benton is one of token few who have the luxury to continue at the next level, and he believes he can continue on to making basketball a career. Benton is a 6'7 230lb Forward with nice footwork, and is a bully down low! He attended Gahr high school for 3yrs then transferred to St. Anthony's where he averaged 16pts, and 12rebs, and  the Saints went 7-1 in league, 17-9 overall, and made it to the quarter finals of CIF playoffs. After high school Benton went on to play at Portland State, but left after his freshmen year. His Sophomore year he played at San Bernadino Valley Community College where he averaged 12.9pts, 7rebs, and shot 54.8% from the field! Benton was one, and done at CC taking his talents to North Carolina Central University where he instantly connected with head coach Levelle Moton. In his Jr season he averaged 6pts, and lead the team in rebounds with 6.5 boards a game! You can expect a strong Senior season from Benton next year with 4 seniors leaving he will have a bigger role within the team, and he's definitely ready! Benton is still focused on the goal of professional basketball, but he's not putting all his eggs in one basket as he is currently majoring in Psychology. Next season will be here in no time! Might want to keep your eye on Kyle Benton! Until then follow him on Instagram, and check out his highlight tape from his year at San Bernadino Valley.

Instagram: KyleBenton_25

Kyle Benton's Hudl

Sticking to the Script

Keisean Nixon is a 6'0 200lb defensive back who has kept his faith, and continues to work hard, and it's really paying off! Coming from the North side of Long Beach, Nixon started his football career at age 7 using it as a tool to keep out of trouble and off the streets of North side Long Beach. He started his high school career at Jordan where he left after his freshman year, and took his talents the private school Salesian. He finished his high school career with no offers, and ended up at national Juco Arizona Western where he was determined to prove his worth out on the field. Nixon finished the season with 6 interceptions, 45 tackles, 16 pass break ups, and 2 touchdowns! After an amazing season, Nixon received offers from Iowa State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Kansas State, and Cal. As he anticipates his final season with the Matadors, Nixon looks to continue to prove the doubters wrong, and build his list of potential colleges even more! Check out his Hudl page below, and keep an eye on this kid because he isn't done yet. In fact, this is just the beginning of the story of Keisean Nixon!

Keisean Nixon Hudl page

Leachman For the Win!

Tavia Leachman fell in love with the game of soccer at age 4, and has dedicated herself to it every since! She instantly built a strong connection with the game, and has become a star. She credits her family, teammates, and coaches for inspiring and molding her into the player/person she is today. From Poly to the Pac-12 Leachman has proved herself to be a phenomenal player at the high school level, and is ready to showcase her skills as a Ute next year. This past season Leachman scored 23 goals, 2 of which were game winners in CIF games. A few of her other accomplishments came with her club team Beach FC, and the Olympic Development team winning a national title for both which she describes as "an incredible, and humbling experience." Soccer isn't just an activity or means for free education for Leachman, but her scholarship was definitely the cherry on top of her excellent high school career. She has plans to hopefully play professionally, but if that doesn't pan out she will study occupational therapy at Utah. So either way she is ready for what the future has in store. Check out her stats from last season, and keep an eye on foot dribbling phenom next year in Salt Lake City. GO UTES!!!!

Tavia Leachman's 2015-2016 Stats

Follow Those Who Pave the Way

The Oregon Ducks have picked up another Jackrabbit, but this one's scoring goals instead of baskets. Artrea Williams has been playing soccer for 13yrs, and her love for the game has grown with every passing year. As a child she watched her older sister play, and she became very interested in the game. Soccer was perfect for her considering she was an energetic child who needed something to do with her time. Although Williams represents Poly most of her work was done with the #2 club team in the nation the LAFC premier, including receiving her scholarship. Williams named her parents as people who motivate her to continue to stay on her grind. She see's them as trailblazers who have paved their own way to success one which she would like to follow, or emulate in her own way. Williams wants to take soccer as far as she can take it, but she isn't putting all her eggs in one basket. In fact, Williams currently has a 4.2 GPA, and will study behavioral science when she gets to Oregon. Got to love seeing this beautiful young woman focused on her goals, and ready for all challenges. Hey with a 4.2 GPA we will always have room on our team lol, but in all seriousness remember the name Artrea Williams if this is your first time hearing it believe us it won't be your last. Check out her career stats below!

Artrea Williams Career Stats

A Rare Breed

In the sports realm it's pretty common to have kids who skate by in school, because of their athletic abilities/gifts, but for Poly Junior Myles Johnson it's the total opposite! (If you knew his dad you'd know why lol.) Johnson is a 6'9 Center on the Poly Varsity team who averaged  8pts, and 10rebs before a knee injury that cut his season short. Good thing he didn't put all his eggs in one basket, because something like this would usually significantly derail a kids career, but not Johnson! In the classroom Johnson is on top of his game as well with a GPA of 4.2 this kid is a college coaches dream, and already has schools showing interest, and he barely played this season! Myles missed the last half of this season, but you can expect him back, and better than ever for his Senior year. Read more about Myles Johnson in the article linked below by writer Gillian Vessely of The Left Bench.

Myles Johnson The Left Bench Article

Poly Boys Basketball Headed to State

After losing to this same team in the CIF Championship Poly came into todays game against JW North with a sour taste in their mouth, and a chip on their shoulder. With an outstanding 20pt performance from Senior G Drew Buggs, and usual double-double from Junior F Zafir Williams the Jackrabbits pulled out a 61-54 victory over the Huskies. The Southern Region Champions are now focused on heading to Sacramento to bring the first State Championship back to the Funkhouse since 1984! Read a more in depth description on the game below written by Gazette Sports own Mike Guardabascio below. Good luck Jackrabbits! Bring the ship home!

LB Poly vs JW North Full Write Up

There's More To The Game

Sopavy Seng is a Long Beach Poly graduate who just finished her first year at LBCC where she gave her all on the court. Seng won SCC Player of the Year this past season because of her great play, but she wasn't some dynamic scorer, or a double double machine she just played her heart out. When you do that it doesn't matter if you average 8pts or 28pts the coach will notice you, and all your hard work will pay off, and Seng is a testament to that. In her first year Seng definitely had some great games putting up a season high 18pts LA Harbor, and a very balanced 14pt, 5ast, 4stl outing against Riverside City. Not only did she win POY in their conference, Seng also has looks from some D2 she is strongly considering even though her coaches tell her if she stays another year she could go D1. Seng doesn't really care about going D1 or D2 she wants to use basketball as a platform for a free education. Wise choice to not put all her eggs in one basket in fact she plans to go to school for Kinesiology, or to become a RN. Love to see young people with a plan for the future, but the plan is just the basis you need determination/belief that you can accomplish whatever you decide to put your mind to. Won't be a hard transition for her since she takes that approach on the hardwood. Check out her stats from last season below, and keep an eye on the 5'7 Vikings Guard she has a bright future ahead of her.

Sopavy Seng Stats 15-16 Season

Ham in the House

6'4 Senior WR Davir Hamilton has left his mark at Long Beach Poly, and is ready to take on the Pac-12 as a Ute! Starting off at Verbum Dei Hamilton played a year of Varsity football there where he recorded  a total of 769yds, and 7 TD's. After leaving the Eagles Hamilton took his talents to Poly where he played both sides of the ball, and was an absolute BEAST on the field! Finishing the year with 1,084 offensive yards, 13 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. After such great seasons Hamilton was recruited by a long list of schools like USC, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, ASU, and of course Utah. Excited to see what he does coming in next year. Expect his name to ring bells in the Pac-12! Check out his Hudl linked below.

Davir Hamilton's Hudl

Big Man On Campus

Ryan Anderson has had quite the senior year, and has been one of the driving forces on this Wildcats squad. His season averages have been insane: recording 15 points, and 10 rebounds a game! This year has definitely been one to remember for the 6'9 Forward, and he has quite a few awards to show for it! Anderson has received First Team all Pac-12 honors, named USBWA's All-District Team,  Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, Naismith trophy Player of the Week, Karl Malone Forward of the Year finalist, and Top 25 Wooden award mid season 25! As the Wildcats prepare for the tournament Anderson looks to prove his dominance in the paint, and hopefully wheel Arizona to win a NCAA National Championship. Either way you will continue to hear his name, because Anderson will definitely be in the league after his performance this season there's no way he won't be drafted! Check out the photos below taken by Arizona photography intern Jelissa Holder, and keep up with Anderson and the Wildcats as the tournament approaches!

Fight For What You Want

6'1, 247lbs Chicago Bears Linebacker John Timu had to claw, and fight to get to the position he is in now, and has made it blatantly clear with his play on the field that he is here to stay. Starting from the beginning of his career Timu is a graduate from Long Beach Jordan where he played 3 years of Varsity, and was pretty much every where. Playing WR, DB, FS, as well as some QB Timu proved to be a offensive, and defensive juggernaut. He recorded a total of 2037yds, 20 total TD's, 27 total tackles, 2 INT's, and 3 fumble recoveries.....That was just his Junior year. After high school Timu took his talents to Washinton University where as a freshman he played in 12 out of 13 games, and started in 8 of them. Timu recorded a season high 8 tackles, and a forced fumble against Oregon, and matched that performance in the Alamo Bowl with a fumble recovery as well. After such a successful first year Timu was named team captain as a Sophomore, and earned Pac-12 honorable mention both on the field, and in the classroom. He started in every game at LB, and averaging 6 tackles in a 4 game span, one being an 11-yard sack against Stanford, and also recorded another 6 tackle performance plus an interception against Oregon State. As if he couldn't outdo himself anymore Timu went on to have a field day against Boise State where he had a career best 15 tackles! Talk about a monster performance. Alright we got to skip to Senior year, because if we continue on at this rate we'll have a 4 page article on this guy! As a Senior Timu was honorable mention in the Pac-12 again, earned the Chuck Niemi big hit award, and saw a starting role in at 14 games. In the season opener against Hawaii he had 9 tackles, and later that season recorded 10 tackles, and a 35yd touchdown off of an INT! Timu had 11 tackles against Standford, 9 tackles plus a forced fumble against Cal, 7 tackles, and his 2nd INT for a touchdown on the season! To end the season Timu left it all on the field recording a game high 12 tackles against Oklahoma State in the Cactus Bowl. He just finished his rookie season with the Chicago Bears where he originally was cut, but was resigned in December of last year. Timu has earned himself a spot in the rotation recording 24 tackles on the season! You can expect to hear a lot more about the Bears diamond  in the rough as his 2nd year approaches. Follow him on Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with him as next season approaches.


Instagram: JohnTimu_10

Twitter: JohnTimu_10

Rise Spring Break Showdown

Registration: March 5th-April 5th

Time: TBA

Admission: TBA

Location: 4400 Briercrest Ave. Lakewood CA

Contact Riselongbeach@gmail.com for more details on registration 

Playing Both Sides Of The Court

17-year old Senior Guard, and Clemson commit Siana Fields is not one to be messed with on the court, and as shocking as it may seem she has no relation to NBA player Landry Fields (We know his sister though, hey Celena! Lol). Being around the game at a young age Fields found her passion for basketball at age 4, and has put her all into it ever since. She credits attending her sisters games as a driving force to play herself, but it wasn't until Fields met her travel team coach, and learned that basketball was more than just a game that her passion was solidified. In fact she says her favorite moments in her years of hooping are from playing travel ball with her team the Cal Sparks in Vegas last Summer scoring 17pts in the game that ultimately got her the recognition from Clemson. Fields best game of her career came in the travel circuit during her Junior year at a tournament in Arizona. She matched up against current UCONN Guard Katie Lou in which she didn't allow Lou to score when she defended her. Fields says she's currently using basketball as a tool for education, but also would like to receive a contract to play overseas one day. Her main focus is to go to law school after college, and hopefully become a contract lawyer for the WNBA, NBA, or Nike. Whether she's on the hardwood in a uniform, or dressed for success we know Fields will dominate the court! Check out Siana Fields, and the lady Jackrabbits in the CIF finals against  Charminade at Azusa Pacifica see her tear it up on the court, and help Poly grab yet another CIF Championship!

Siana Fields Career Stats

LBCC Basketball Running the SCC South

LBCC Mens, and Womens basketball teams had great seasons, and for that a lot of their players are reaping the benefits of their stellar play. Below is a list of players who earned SCC honors from both teams!

Chris Camper
Guard
Sophomore
SCC South Division Player of the Year

Sopavy Seng 
Guard
Sophomore
SCC South Division Player of the Year

Jeremiah Blandin
Guard
Freshmen
SCC South Division First Team

Lupe Cruz
Forward
Sophomore
SCC South Division First Team

Breamon Richard
Guard
Freshmen
SCC South Division First Team

Taylor Smith 
Guard
Sophomore
SCC South Division First Team

Rolland Pearsall 
Guard
Sophomore
SCC South Division Honorable Mention

Imani Johnson
Guard
Sophomore
SCC South Division Second Team

Mena Saad 
Guard
Sophomore
SCC South Division Honorable Mention

Paris Lucci
Guard
Freshmen
SCC South Division Second Team

Miranda Martinez
Center
Freshmen
SCC South Division Second Team

Michael Anderson
Coach
SCC South Division Coach of the Year

Gamble For The Win

In the past few years St. Anthony's High School has gotten quite a buzz. In 2013 their varsity basketball team was one of the best they've had in a while, and now in 2016 their football program is getting recognition for their tremendous play with some kids getting scholarships to some big schools. One in particular is 6'6 WR/TE Logan Gamble who will continue his football career at the University of California! He had a coming out party on the gridiron this year averaging 103yds a game for a total of 1136yds on 67 receptions this season. Gamble realized had a passion for football his Soph. year, and from then on took advantage of the opportunity given to him, and really made the best out of it. He really made the best of his opportunity in week 2 of this past season recording 160yds, and 2 TD's on 9 catches! For any other receiver this would've been means for a great game, but not Gamble he wasn't satisfied until he jumped on to the other side of the ball, and recorded 1 INT, and 8 tackles, 2 of which were sacks, and 1 that forced a fumble. Gamble can't wait to step foot on the field at the California Memorial Stadium, and is ready build on where he left off at St. Anthonys. If he continues to work hard, and puts a little more weight on him he'll be a force on the field early off in his college career. Factor that in with him playing in one of top programs in college football, and success is inevitable for him at the next level. Gamble says he loves football, and it's something he is always looking forward to so he wants to continue playing for as long as he can. Though football is what he enjoys it's not the only thing on his mind entering college. Gamble is very excited to be attending Cal, because he will be receiving one of the best educations out there. He will major in business with hopes of getting into the Haus business school at Cal! So who knows! We could see Gamble receiving passing under an NFL organization or calling the shots for an NFL organization only time will tell. Until then check out his Hudl page, and get a glimpse of what you can expect to see him do in a Golden Bears uniform!

Logan Gamble's Hudl page