Post #800...and everything went well this weekend...until the Roughriders screwed it all up.

Then again, so did Anaheim but I really did not think we were going to stand a chance against Phoenix. Not until we get us a new head coach to replace that cad known as Randy Carlyle. I already fell out of favor with his ass since that nasty four-game skid in late October.

In any case, here's an article I wanted to share with you, just for the l.u.l.z. factor. Enjoy.

---

Lakers roll past league's worst team
By Elliott Teaford, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/29/2009 11:16:34 PM PST

Someday, somewhere, the New Jersey Nets will win a game.

Sunday was not that day and Staples Center was not that place, however.

The Lakers ushered the Nets to a date with destiny by sending them reeling to a league record-tying 17th consecutive loss to start the season. The Lakers delivered a 106-87 beat down for their sixth consecutive win - each by double digits.

It hardly was a fair fight.

The Lakers, after all, have an embarrassment of riches at every position; the Nets do not. The Lakers have a deep, experienced and talented team many observers believe is capable of winning a second consecutive NBA championship; the Nets do not.

The Lakers also have a Hall of Fame coach with a league-record 10 championships on his resume sitting on their bench; the Nets do not.

The Nets don't have a coach, period, after they fired Lawrence Frank a few hours before they matched the record for the worst start in league history.

The Nets joined the Miami Heat in 1988-89 and the Clippers in the lockout-shortened 1999 season as the only teams to begin a season 0-17.

New Jersey named assistant coach Tom Barrise as Frank's temporary replacement, but he fared no better than his former boss.

"We were aware of that (the Nets' losing streak)," backup guard Jordan Farmar said. "It's got to be hard. You could see it on their faces. It's starting to take its toll.

"Now is when they've got to keep working hard. Every team they play has got to be nervous."

One night after taking a 33-point victory over the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, the Lakers returned to Staples Center and played with the same detached sense of determination.

Their average margin of victory during their six-game winning streak has been 17.7 points. They haven't scored fewer than 100 points in any of the six and haven't given up more than the 97 the Warriors scored Saturday.

"Our defense is getting better and better," Kobe Bryant said after the Lakers improved to 13-3. "We're working really, really hard at it. Our energy has been consistent.

"This is something we feel we can maintain."

The Lakers went about their business Sunday without a trace of emotion as they kicked the Nets from one end of the court to the other. Garbage time came as early as it has all season as the Lakers reserves played significant minutes.

Bryant led the Lakers' onslaught with 30 points on 11-for-17 shooting in just more than 28 minutes. He did not play in the fourth quarter, what with the Lakers leading by 87-60 heading into the final period.

Pau Gasol had 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting and a team-leading nine rebounds in 37:04. He took a seat with the Lakers ahead by 21 points with 5:59 remaining in the game. He was the only Lakers starter to play in the fourth quarter.

Farmar led the Bench Mob with a season-high 15 points. Everyone on the Lakers' 12-man roster played in the game and everyone scored except for Adam Morrison.

Brook Lopez led the Nets with 26 points and 12 rebounds.

The Lakers essentially won the game in the first quarter, when they built a 27-12 lead by shooting 47.4 percent (9-for-19) and limited the Nets to 27.3 percent shooting (6-for-22). Bryant scored 13 points in the quarter and set the tone for another lopsided win.

By halftime, the Lakers led by 59-34.

Their lead grew to as many as 34 points in the third quarter.

The teams played on, but only because the NBA doesn't have a mercy rule.

"They've got a lot of young kids trying to find an identity," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They've got to find some sense of unity, and that's going to be difficult. They've got to find a coach who's going to drive them through the next 65 games.

"That's going to be tough."

The Nets will try to avoid their record-setting 18th consecutive loss when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

The Lakers try for their seventh win in a row when they host New Orleans on Tuesday.

elliott.teaford@dailybreeze.com

---

Long Beach State men's basketball win? Check, against UCLA.
USC football win? Check.
Long Beach State women's basketball win? Check, against Rice.
AFC Wimbledon win? Check.
Melbourne Victory win? Check.
Long Beach State women's volleyball win? Check, times three to close season.
Los Angeles Kings win? Check.
Grambling State football win? Check.
Hawaii Warriors football win? Check.
Las Vegas Locomotives win? Check.
FC Tokyo win? Check.
Chelsea win? Check.
Santos FC ladies win? Check.
Lakewood High School football win? Check.
Los Angeles Lakers win? Check, times two.
Los Angeles Clippers win? Check.
Saskatchewan Roughriders win?

Choke.

Burn in hell, Ken Miller.

You ruined my Thanksgiving, and don't you fucking forget it!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Presented by

Alouettes come all the way back in Grey Cup

Sean Fitz-Gerald,  National Post 

REUTERS/Todd Korol

CALGARY -- It must have seemed safe at the time, with the roar from the stands echoing into the dressing room. Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Tad Kornegay ran to the locker room at halftime, located a mobile device and exclaimed to the digital world: "We up Rider nation! Let's put them away now!"

Not only was the team leading, it seemed to add another shovel full on the legacy of the Montreal Alouettes with every series. It was wildly premature, as the Roughriders melted down in the final seconds to lead to a 33-yard field goal from Damon Duval on the final play of the game.

Duval had sent an earlier attempt wide right, only to have the Roughriders get caught for having too many men on the field. The final moments stunned the green-themed crowd at McMahon Stadium, giving the Alouettes a 28-27 win in the 97th Grey Cup.

The Alouettes, who posted a franchise record 15-3 record over the regular season, won their second Grey Cup of the decade. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo improved his record in the big game to 2-5, exorcising the demons that had followed him for the entire week's build-up.

Calvillo had been unsettled in the first half, playing as though he had been visited by the ghost of Grey Cups past at the team hotel on Saturday night. He had spent the week discussing his renewed professional spirit, but looked an awful lot like the man who had been at the helm of five losses in six previous Grey Cup appearances.

His first pass skipped incomplete and to nobody in particular. He misfired on three of his next four passes, and compounded the team's early jitters with a fumble that handed the ball to Saskatchewan eight yards from the end zone.

Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz made a cut to his right that nearly broke the ankles of the linebacker assigned to coverage, hauling in the short pass for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead a play after Calvillo's fumble. The roar from the stands rumbled across the field like Prairie thunder.

Saskatchewan built a 17-3 lead it carried into halftime, with Durant playing with every ounce of the composure that Calvillo should have been displaying. Montreal's offence tore through the regular season, averaging a league-high 33.3 points per game, powered by a cadre of veterans whose sworn mission was to avenge their Grey Cup loss on home soil last fall.

The Alouettes managed one lonely point in the second half of a 22-14 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last year, but any lessons they might have learned seemed lost as the sun set on Southern Alberta. Montreal's drive chart in the first half could well have belonged to the hapless Toronto Argonauts, featuring six punts, two fumbles and a field goal.

Saskatchewan punted four times, but the offence seemed to be in calmer hands with Durant. The 27-year-old fielded a bad snap, evaded a fierce two-pronged pass rush and made the smart decision to throw the ball out of bounds instead of trying to force the play once the Roughriders took the lead.

Durant was clearly the second-most popular quarterback in the build-up to kickoff. In his first season at the helm, he led the team to a first place finish in the West Division and the team's first home final in three decades, and in the rare instances when he stumbled last night, his defence bailed him out.

He was intercepted late in the third quarter, only to have the Saskatchewan defence force another Montreal two-and-out. The Alouettes had been threatening to rally, with Calvillo having found Jamel Richardson at the end of a nine-play, 74-yard drive, but the defence did its best to keep it from becoming a trend.

Calvillo was sacked in back-to-back passing situations early in the third quarter, and the second knocked the Alouettes back eight yards and out of field goal range. The offence looked lost, nothing like the unit that mauled the B.C. Lions 56-18 in the East Division final, when it pounced on every mistake the Lions made.

With help from running back Wes Cates, Durant led a backbreaking drive early in the fourth quarter, marching the Roughriders 75 yards and into the end zone. The last play was the kind of run they will replay for years in Regina, with Durant running 16 yards into the end zone, bouncing off a tackler just as he crossed the line for a 27-11 lead.

Another rare Calvillo flourish led the Alouettes right back, capped with a scoring run by Avon Cobourne and a successful two-point conversion. Suddenly, it was 27-19, and the tension build when Durant made an ill-advised pass intercepted by Jerald Brown, which led to an 11-yard scoring pass to Ben Cahoon. Montreal missed the two-point conversion.

National Post
sfitzgerald@nationalpost.com 

© 2009 The National Post Company. All rights reserved.

Black Friday and other random you-know-whats

Black Friday and other random you-know-whats


So I experienced once again that after-Thanksgiving phenomenon known as Black Friday. Insane discounts. Long lines. No parking spots. And campers, camper, campers. Me and my older sister drove to this place in the middle of Riverside County called Cabazon. Next to the Morongo Casino Resort was a set of shops known as the Desert Hill Premoum Outlets. I bought a pair of Banana Republic spats and a sweater and shirt from the GAP. My older sister bought everything else.


There were some long lines for Coach and Gucci. Heinous lines. They were probably stretching into the resort. I rode past people camping outside a Best Buy in West Covina. We spent five hours shopping in Cabazon, followed by one hour of rest and me wandering around Montclair Plaza, then hightailing outta the IE.


Later that day, the news anchorman on KNX 1070 Newsradio asked, "So, did you get yerrrr shopping on?" I just had to laugh. Duh!


---


And then I went to the Lakewood vs. Bishop Amat game. I was nonplussed with some of the dubious play by my guys in the first half. In the second half, we got a kick return and in the fourth quarter, this was a done deal because of Justin Utupo and Jesse Scroggins handcuffing the visitors from La Puente. I just cursed them out after the game. I was sick and tired of their whinging.


So now it's on to the test of fate with the world-famous Edison Chargers of Huntington Beach at Costa Mesa's Orange Coast College. Bring it on. Let's see how we do.


---


I need more sleep. Turn me into Yui Hirasawa clamoring Ui for more ice cream, onegai!

So, what is yours truly thankful for?

As I close in on 800 posts for BoBA, I take the time to give thanks for a number of things. Here comes an exhaustive, but partial, list.






- My parents and big sister are still alive.
- My sister is married.
- My women's volleyball team won the conference title again.
- My university won the Commissioner's Cup in the Big West once again.
- Lakewood High School stopping Poly's league winning streak.
- The power to take my shirt off and celebrate in my skivvies.
- Manny Pacquiao defending his title as the pound-for-pound king.
- New Zealand, Australia, the USA AND England all qualifying for the same FIFA World Cup.
- Barack Obama filling the demading role of our nation's president
- Accounts still going strong on MiniTokyo, deviantART and danbooru, among other places.
- My role with Bleacher Report
- The power to scrutinize and slam down a team when they cannot get their act together.
- Not being obligated to enlist in the military
- Having a house to live, sleep, and eat in
- My two computers
- Anime Expo
- The concept of moe
- Torrents
- The show Secret Girlfriend
- Sporting events around the clock
- The power to celebrate a new year and other holidays around the world
- The Internet
- Technology
- Not having to live in a Third World country
- Sleep
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Les Pauls and Fenders
- Nutella
- Japan
- A college education
- Japanese animation & comics and their influence on our society
- Las Vegas
- The Black-Eyed Peas
- Legendary anime/manga shows like Toradora!, CLANNAD, Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-ON!, Saki, and others.
- You




Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

2009 Moore League Football: Top 10 Games, Stories & Videos

Courtesy of the Long Beach Post...

2009 Moore League Football: Top 10 Games, Stories & Videos

by J.J. Fiddler \

-

Not quite the end of the Moore League football season yet, but let's take a moment to look back on a jam-packed 2009 regular season schedule.
 
10) Cabrillo's Biggest Moral Victory
The Jags are 0-20 in the last two seasons, but you would have needed a pretty big billboard to remind the Jags of that when they took Poly into the fourth quarter with the score tied at zero earlier this year at Vet's.  Because of the schools' locations, a lot of players on both teams know each other, and the rivalry between the Poly tradition and the relatively clean slate that is Cabrillo is a lot more passionate than the final scores indicate.  When you're struggling to find your first win, moral victories become important--and there's something uniquely "high school football" about seeing an 0-8 team raise their heads and get excited in a close game.  The Jags went on to lose the game, but holding Poly that close for that long is the sweetest of moral victories, to be sure.  Click Here for the STORY    Click Here for the VIDEO

09) Panther Pride Shines Even In Loss
It was a very different year than Jordan was hoping for--after being mentioned as a preseason CIF Top Ten, they lost a big part of their team with the injury of John Timu in week two against Pasadena.  The next game, at home against Dominguez, the Panthers debuted a new-look offense, new-look defense, and new-look special teams in a gritty game against the Dons.  Rarely do you see a high school game where both sides so clearly play themselves to the brink of exhaustion, but the pride of the Panther program was on full display in the 13-7 overtime loss to a Dominguez that just last week cruised into the quarterfinals of the playoffs with a 40-point win in the first round.   STORY    VIDEO


08) Millikan Thrills In Opener
Looking back on it, it's undeniably been a thrilling, historic season for Millikan football--and if you made the trip to see their opening night game, on the road against Gahr, there's no way you could say you're surprised.  Rams coach Kirk Diego talked to us before the season about the quality of his team's character, and his players backed his words up enormously in their first game, defeating a physically superior Gahr team 35-34 when they deflected the Gahr two-point conversion attempt to end the game.  Several Millikan players left the game with injuries, only to return to make key plays--like QB Paul Slater coming back in after a shoulder injury to return an INT for a TD, scoring the go-ahead points.  Sometimes, coaches say good things about their teams--and sometimes, their teams back it up in a big, big way.    STORY    VIDEO 

07) Rivalry Renewed
The tragic shooting that took place after the Wilson Poly football game rightfully overshadowed the atmosphere inside the stadium that night, but before the season ends we want to take a look back.  A sell-out crowd, shirts sporting original logos from both teams, and an incredible sense of history as Long Beach celebrated its oldest rivalry.  Poly won handily, but with alumni who graduated from both schools over 50 years ago looking on and enjoying the game, here's hoping this game is this exciting every year.   STORY   VIDEO 

06) Poly Finds Footing
All year long, Poly fans were waiting for their teams to "look like Poly."  They were waiting for a dominant defensive performance, a running game that took a game over, and a passing game that came up with big plays when they needed them--but in week ten, the Jackrabbits still didn't even have a postseason berth locked up, and were in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 30 years. Their last game was against a Compton team that also had a playoff spot on the line, and was surely not going quietly--except that Poly "looked like Poly."  They outgained the Tarbabes 2-1, dominated time of possession, totally locked down on defense (allowing just one score) in a 42-12 win that sent them into the playoffs with some momentum.  We don't know where they'll end up this year, but we know that wherever they go, they owe it to this dominating performance.   STORY     VIDEO

05) Poly @ Oceanside / Southern vs. San Diego Section
This was just one of five marquee pre-season match ups for the Jackrabbits.  The Oceanside Pirates are going for their record sixth-straight CIF Championship this season and this clash of classic, storied programs did not disappoint.  Oceanside got a big play and a nice drive for a 14-0 halftime lead, and the second half was the defensive slugfest everyone expected.  After Ryan Goforth blocked a punt and Dominique Williams scooped and scored it was 14-7.  However, the 'Rabbits couldn't complete the comeback and came up short on a game-winning drive.    STORY    VIDEO

04) Lakewood @ Crenshaw / Southern vs. City Section
In the second of two Section/Section games that did not disappoint, the Lancers took on the Crenshaw Cougars in Week Zero.  DeAnthony Thomas and Geno Hall led the way with a combined 204 yards and 2TDs for the Cougars and Jesse Scroggins led Lakewood with 201 yards and three touchdowns on 17-for-27 passing.  After The Lancers took the halftime lead, a blocked punt gave Crenshaw some momentum and the eight-yard touchdown pass from Marquis Thompson to Geno Hall with about two minutes to play proved to be the game-winner for Crenshaw, 28-27.  It was clear to see that both teams had their best ball in the near future, and this week they are both at home for the quarterfinals.   STORY    VIDEO

03) Wilson Wins One For Melody Ross
We couldn't write it better again, "A trip to North Long Beach has never meant more to Wilson High School.  With a win over Jordan, 47-3, the Bruins clinched a playoff spot.  But ultimately, that’s not even why the football game held such meaning.  With their helmet “W” flipped to make an “M” and black “MR” stickers on the back, the Bruins took the field for the first time since last week’s tragic death of student/athlete Melody Ross.  The week of practice was pieced together around the pain, the mourning, the vigil near campus and visits from fellow Moore League teams, and the team performed admirably." After the game, the team took the game ball to the Ross residence and presented it to her parents.   STORY    VIDEO


02) Lakewood Ends The Streak
You've heard the numbers a hundred times by now, we're sure.  But here they are one more time.  Poly hadn't last a Moore League game in 80 contests, and Lakewood hadn't beaten Poly since 1982.  That all changed this year as Jesse Scroggins led his Lancers past the Jackrabbits with an incredible second half. It's hard to not compare this game with the CIF Semifinal between these two teams last year.  A few turnovers in the fourth quarter changed the tide for the Lancers in the semi, but this year it was the playmaking ability of Scroggins that ended the streak and started the party in the Wood.  Soaking wet from a cooler bath amid a raucous team celebration at midfield, Lakewood coach Thadd MacNeal said after the game, "Hey, no one beats Lakewood thirty years in a row!"      STORY   VIDEO

01) Millikan Magic Dazzles Poly
It was a just a magic night for high school football.  The stands were half full when the second half started, and when the overtime period got underway it was a packed house.  The word had spread though the city and every one came out to see if it was true.  Indeed it was, and Alden Darby made it so.  Millikan had 126 yards in the first half, 119 of them from Darby's arm or his feet.  He had 176 total yards production by the end of the game, plus over 50 in the return game.  After the game, after the celebration, after Poly's second-straight league loss and Millikan's first victory over the 'Rabbits since 1985, the stunned coach of the Rams stared wide-eyed at the score, and shook his head.  "Did you know that pigs fly?" he asked.  "Did you know that snowballs do have a chance in Hell?"    STORY    VIDEO

Written by J.J. Fiddler
JJ Fiddler has been covering Southern California prep and college sports for the last six years, working for multiple publications in the area including the Orange County Register. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from Long Beach State and is the creator and co-host of Long Beach's one and only SportsNight, the internet radio show for Long Beach sports. In other words, JJ's just living the dream.

Written by Mike Guardabascio

Mike Guardabascio has been a fan of Long Beach sports since he was a kid, playing soccer, basketball, and football in the city's parks. He's been writing professionally for seven years and has published in over 25 newspapers, magazines, and websites. He loves what he does.

Quick hits, November 23, 2009

This day had to be one of the most harrowing. I get a negrep from some prick on MaXXed Football Forums. Glad I was to get back at the jackass. One of the moderators on BigSoccer gave me my first infraction in over two fucking years.
That's a long time. It was labeled "Trolling - Severe." That's not even the harshest mud I could sling. The Senate in my head is considering to negrep the bastard back, but I am going to mull it over, because the power of debating is a wonderful thing.


And my laptop is starting to annoy me with its suckitude when running Windows 7. I had to reduce it to something close to what it was circa WIndows 98. It was starting to be a pain.


Of course, I dealt with the usual suspects at Topix and on MiniTokyo, as well as on deviantART. So I did the usual rounds.


But I have to be pissed at the Los Angeles Galaxy. Especially Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and Jovan Kirovski for fucking up the penalties. Oh yes, and Robbie Russell would not be welcomed into my house, even if he were to wear the Galaxy strip.


Fuck him, and fuck the fact that he scored the decisive penalty that shut Los Angeles out of a title in the pro soccer world. And no, Pali Blues does not count.


More coffee, I say.

Censor this, you Communist hacks!

China stifles Obama charisma


By Stephen Collinson (AFP) – 1 hour ago


BEIJING — Something got lost in transit in US President Barack Obama's visit to China -- the charismatic rhetoric and dominance of mass communication that took him from nowhere to the White House.


Obama built his political persona with soaring speeches on a grand stage and by reaching out to a vast grassroots network on the Internet.


But in China, Obama's hosts successfully stifled those prodigious public talents, keeping his message from the people with media censorship and smothering it in staid diplo-speak.


On previous foreign trips in his taxing first year in office, the president sent inspiring words winging to millions of satellite dishes in the Muslim world and sparked Obama mania in Europe.


But in China, it has been tougher to reach out to ordinary citizens. His best attempt, a town hall meeting streamed on the White House website, suffered from what was largely a nationwide media blackout.


And Obama's talks on Tuesday with President Hu Jintao were followed by a dull public appearance, with both leaders reading out statements to the media stuffed with diplomatic code words.


The US president shuffled his papers on the lectern, scratched an eyebrow and looked across at Hu, as his host read out a long speech. The arid diplomatic translations made the occasion seem even more sterile.


Chinese officials several times warned the hundreds of reporters present, whom they referred to as "dear friends," that questions were banned. There was no chance for Obama to deploy his persuasive political personality.


Clearly, the raucous political dialogue seen in American elections and politics is alien to communist-ruled China where sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are heavily censored.


But it seems Obama is ready to play a "long game" on China policy, and is willing to take domestic media hits over a lack of progress now, in the hope of results later on.


Equally, the White House did not expect opportunities for Obama's populist politics offered elsewhere in the world, or that the US president could transform the political environment alone.


"I did not expect, I can speak authoritatively for the president on this, that we thought the waters would part and everything would change over the course of our two-and-a-half-day trip to China," said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs.


Obama aides report that while his public persona may be out of view, the first-year president has emerged as a forceful negotiator with Chinese leaders, and is firing off questions about life here.


US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman said Obama was "extremely effective" in private and a strong advocate for the country as a president "who talks about our traditions and is able to explain it to all those who are listening."


White House aides prefer not to dwell on the differences, and instead talk about how he is developing a relationship with China that will be invaluable for working on the world's most pressing problems.


Obama used his town hall meeting in Shanghai to issue a call for the unshackling of the Internet.


But Chinese authorities appeared to make attempts to stack the audience with students willing to follow the government line.


At least two of the four youths Obama picked to ask their own questions were later identified as Communist Youth League members.


The event did air on local television, but appears not to have had national exposure. Hopes that the official Xinhua news agency would stream it live did not materialise.


The state mouthpiece instead posted a running transcript of the meeting, erecting a barrier between Obama's personality and everyday Chinese.


Several Chinese bloggers praised Obama's efforts, and said his call to pull down the "Great Firewall of China" would provide valuable ammunition for Chinese web users.


"Obama's answer... is very interesting, because he is the first president who talks about this, and it will move and urge the Chinese government to think," said one blogger, known as Beifeng.


Another blogger, Zuola, also welcomed Obama's intervention -- which was sparked by a question submitted by email read out by Huntsman.


But he said the town hall meeting was simply a "game" played out under strict Chinese supervision.


"The Chinese government surely does not like those who are not in their control," he said.


Obama's trip to Shanghai only got covered in passing on the main evening news on state-run nationwide broadcaster CCTV on Monday, which devoted most of its time to Hu's trip to the Asia-Pacific summit.




The town hall meeting was not mentioned at all.

ISML 2009: The season wraps up with Relegation Finals and exhibitions

ISML 2009: The season wraps up with Relegation Finals and exhibitions



November 7, 2009


While the International Saimoe League Tiara began its stay inside a glass case of the lobby of the Hakuoh Academy administration building, the 2009 season wrapped up with Relegation matches in Tokyo and a series of exhibitions featuring old faces from Saimoe tournaments past.


Mikoto Misaka finished on top of the ISML relegation table with victories over Index Prohibitorum (989-441) and Yuuhi Katagiri (873-621). Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere, who will return to the tournament regardless of her finish, scored victories over Hayate Yagami (847-672) and Nayuki Minase (846-692).


In other ISML Relegation action, Reimu Hakurei defeated Chii 810-726, Prohibitorum defeated Evangeline McDowell 767-726, Misuzu Kamio ran down Hakurei 785-752, Sayuri Kurata defeate Kamio 867-570 and Mai Kawasumi wiped off Minase 903-493.


Kurata took down Vita 872-613, Tsukimiya crushed McDowell 884-642 and Vita 903-605, and Kawasumi capped off the Relegation action with a 839-663 win over Yagami.


Finally, there were six exhibitions to close this campaign. Alien Nine's Yuri Otani defeated Figure 17's Hikaru Shiina 608-511 in New York City, Dejiko of Winter Garden (not Di Gi Charat) defeated Pita Ten's Shia 739-511 in Buenos Aires. A slightly more familiar face, Shiika Anmoto of Mushi-Uta crushed Sana Nobuto of Innocent Venus 918-354 in Cairo. In Moscow, Sain October's Kotono Hayama made a mockery of her contest of Yume Tsukai's Rinko Mishima, 1083-160. Taruto of Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto defeate Yuki Kojima 739-419 in London and Houkago: Nureta Seifuku's Shizune Fujiwara defeated Tomoko Kitazawa of Ai Shimai 865-347 in Sydney.




Well, that caps off a wonderful International Saimoe LEague year which saw the most unexpected of seeds-a #11-win the crown...Hinagiku Katsura. Who will take it in 2010? The nomination phase-and the new season-kicks off New Year's Day on InternationalSaimoe.com!

BoBA 2009 ISML Predictions: Relegation Final, and Special Exhibitions

ISML 2009 Relegation Finals


ARENA 01: Chii [Hakurei Reimu]


ARENA 02: Evangeline McDowell [Index Prohibitorum]


ARENA 03: [Hakurei Reimu] Kamio Misuzu


ARENA 04: Index Prohibitorum [Misaka Mikoto]


ARENA 05: [Kamio Misuzu] Kurata Sayuri


ARENA 06: Katagiri Yūhi [Chii]


ARENA 07: [Kawasumi Mai] Minase Nayuki


ARENA 08: [Kurata Sayuri] Vita


ARENA 09: [Louise Vallière] Yagami Hayate


ARENA 10: Minase Nayuki [Louise Vallière]


ARENA 11: [Misaka Mikoto] Katagiri Yūhi


ARENA 12: [Tsukimiya Ayu] Evangeline McDowell


ARENA 13: Vita [Tsukimiya Ayu]


ARENA 14: Yagami Hayate [Kawasumi Mai]


Special Exhibitions


ARENA 15: Contestant 1A [Contestant 1B]


ARENA 16: [Contestant 2A] Contestant 2B


ARENA 17: [Contestant 3A] Contestant 3B


ARENA 18: [Contestant 4A] Contestant 4B


ARENA 19: [Contestant 5A] Contestant 5B


ARENA 20: Contestant 6A [Contestant 6B]

ISML 2010 At-Large Top 20

Similar to Mel Kiper's top recruits/draft on ESPN.com, I want to go ahead and select my top 20 selections that I believe should get a fair shot at qualifying for the 2010 International Saimoe League.


With the nomination phase not due to start for nearly two months, now's the time to consider who should get the nod to challenge Hinagiku Katsura and the rest of the field for the 2010 Tiara.

1. Mio Akiyama - K-ON!
If it weren't for a fluke vote against Kana Minami (who I am putting long odds, if any, to make next year's field) or a defeat to Yuki Nagato (whose leverage is starting to wither with the SOS Brigade), Akiyama is already in the field. I expect her to get taken in the early at-large rounds.

2. Saki Miyanaga - Saki
The franchise character, I believe, deserves a fair hearing. I am choosing her this high in the table because I am confident that she will surprise quite a few people with what she can do.

3. Ritsu Tainaka - K-ON!
Again, another character that should go through is the drummer for K-ON!/Hokago Tea Time. A versatile, bubble personality.

4. Rei Ayanami - Neon Genesis Evangelion
Now this is a question I must ask the congregation: why hasn't Evangelion's finest been given a shot in this tournament? Rei Ayanami's charm has never wavered through the years. If Sakura's longevity sees her returning for one more season, should Ayanami relish that as well?

5. Utau Hoshina - Shugo Chara!
Utau, Amu Hinamori's former rival, is a disciple of the WOW factor. Not only can she sing, but she can rock it when it comes to fighting. I like her chances of making the field here.

6. Tsumugi Kotobuki - K-ON!
It's not just the blonde hair and pickle-shaped eyebrows that make Mugi a strong character in K-ON!. There's her fetish for yuri, and that catch phrase "Dontakoi Dasu!" (It's all good!) Did I mention that the pastries and tea she caters are top-notch?

7. Hitagi Senjougahara - Bakemonogatari
This might just be Bakemonogatari's greatest hope. Hitagi Senjougahara's sharp wit, penchant for staplers (a tribute to her crab-like tendencies), and role as Koyomi Araragi's love interest will prove to be a boon for her.

8. Canaan - CANAAN
Chicks with guns don't usually get the nod (the ISML's preferred choice of weapon is the sword), but Canaan might be an exception to that rule.

9. Kurimu Sakurano - Seitokai no Ichizon
The student council presidents are worth their weight in gold. Sakurano is no exception to this rule. I see her sneaking in in the middle or later in the selection process.

10. Haruka Nogizaka - Haruha Nogizaka's Secret
No surprises here-Haruka deserves a shot at this tournament. You've got the look, but a vice for the good stuff on the side. That equals...qualification.

11. Misuzu Kusakabe - 11eyes
Here is another character that could be flying the flag for her respecting series by herself. When you can convey a weapon out of thin air (apologies Gilgamesh of Fate/Stay Night), you got yourself a possible candidate for qualifcation.

12. Eruruu - Utawarerumono
Dark horse candidate. But I bring Aruruu's older sister up on this list for defeating Haruhi and Yuki in the same round. So one would think that this would be the time that anoother face from Utawarerumono gets into the ISML.

13. Ai Haibara - Detective Conan-Case Closed
Haibara is a noteworthy selection on this list. Her top 16 finish in Korea leaves the door wide open for the possibilities.

14. Momoko Touyoko - Saki
Again, the Saki girls will want in to this tournament. This is a possible selection...

15. Kana Ikeda - Saki
...as will this one.

16. Komoe Tsukuyomi - To Aru Majutsu No Index
The little instructor with a penchant for lagers has a good chance of qualifying.

17. Minatsu Shiina - Seitokai no Ichizon
Tsundere. Twintails. Tsurime. Too many T's, not enough W's. Here a W for you: qualification to the big show. How's that?

18. Kobato Hanato - Kobato
While she will come nowhere close to the success fellow CLAMP girls C.C. and Sakura Kinomoto put in, Kobato could slip in through the last few rounds.

19. Kuroko Shirai - To Aru Majutsu No Index
Another yuri-holic could make her move here. While I personally won't expect her to go too far, she will nonetheless be a choice to be selected.

20. Beatrice - Umineko no Naku Koro Ni
Longshot to be selected, let alone get a .500 record or higher next year. But the Endless Golden Witch has the schtick to get picked. Ronove send help.

Tony Perkins and Mathew Staver are tossers. Pass it on.

Gay leaders blame TV ads, Obama for loss in Maine

By LISA LEFF and DAVID CRARY
Associated Press Writers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Stunned and angry, national gay rights leaders Wednesday blamed scare-mongering ads - and President Barack Obama's lack of engagement - for a bitter election setback in Maine that could alter the dynamics for both sides in the gay-marriage debate.

Conservatives, in contrast, celebrated Maine voters' rejection of a law that would have allowed gay couples to wed, depicting it as a warning shot that should deter politicians in other states from pushing for same-sex marriage.

"Every time the citizens have voted on marriage, they have always sided with natural marriage," said Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based Christian legal group. "Maine dramatically illustrates the will of the people, and politicians should wake up and listen."

Gay activists were frustrated that Obama, who insists he staunchly supports their overall civil rights agenda, didn't speak out forcefully in defense of Maine's marriage law before Tuesday's referendum. The law was repealed in a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent.

"President Obama missed an opportunity to state his position against these discriminatory attacks with the clarity and moral imperative that would have helped in this close fight," said Evan Wolfson of the national advocacy group Freedom to Marry. "The anti-gay forces are throwing millions of dollars into various unsubtle ads aimed at scaring people, so subtle statements from the White House are not enough."

The White House, asked about the criticism, had no immediate comment.

The marriage debate is simmering in at least a half-dozen states where a same-sex marriage bill is pending or where a court ruling or existing law is being eyed by conservatives for possible challenge.

Had Maine's law been upheld by voters, it would have become the sixth state to legalize gay marriage - and the first to affirm it by popular vote. In Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Iowa, gay marriage resulted from court decisions or legislation.

California is sure to be a major battleground over the next several years. Last year, conservatives succeeded in winning public approval of Proposition 8, which overturned a state court ruling allowing gay marriage. Gay rights groups want to take the issue back to the voters but are divided on a timetable.

In the aftermath of the Maine vote, some California activists appealed to their supporters for money to help them put a measure on the 2010 ballot. Other activist leaders want to wait until 2012.

"It's never too early to go back to right a fundamental wrong," said Chaz Lowe of Yes! on Equality, who favors shooting for 2010. "A lot of people are angry, a lot of people are upset. It at least has the potential to be a mobilization for the grass roots."

Some California activists said the outcome in Maine strengthened their belief that it will fall to the U.S. Supreme Court - not the voters - to make gay marriage legal. A federal lawsuit challenging Prop. 8 is scheduled to go to trial in January, the first step in a legal journey that is expected to reach the high court in a few years.

"The results in Maine underscore exactly why we are challenging California's same-sex marriage ban," said Chad Griffin, president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the Los Angeles group spearheading the lawsuit. "The U.S. Constitution guarantees equal rights to every American, and when those rights are violated, it is the role of our courts to protect us, regardless of what the polls say."

The situation elsewhere:

- In New Jersey, the election Tuesday of Republican Chris Christie as governor puts extra pressure on gay rights supporters to win passage of a pending same-sex marriage bill before the legislative session ends in January. Christie says he would veto such a bill, while lame-duck Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, says he would sign it.

- In Iowa, where the state Supreme Court legalized gay marriage last April, conservatives have no quick way to overturn the ruling. Their only option would be to amend the state constitution through a ballot measure - in 2014 at the earliest - and that effort would need approval from a legislature whose current Democratic leaders don't even want to debate the issue.

- In New Hampshire, conservatives have filed legislation to repeal the state's new gay-marriage law and amend the constitution to ban such unions. Kevin Smith, executive director of the conservative Cornerstone Policy Research, said he doubts the measures will pass, but hopes the vote in Maine will give gay-marriage opponents ammunition for the 2010 elections.

"It gives us more fodder to go back to people and say, 'Look, they aren't letting you vote on it,'" Smith said.

- In Washington, D.C., conservatives are trying to force a popular vote on a bill headed toward City Council approval that would legalize gay marriage. Michael Crawford, one of the leaders of the local pro-gay marriage campaign, said the result in Maine increased his determination to avoid a ballot measure.

"The same cabal of anti-gay groups who stripped away marriage equality from our families in California and Maine now have their sights on D.C.," he said.

Crawford was among numerous gay rights leaders complaining about the campaign tactics of the groups that opposed same-sex marriage in Maine and California.

In both states, California-based political strategist Frank Schubert oversaw an advertising campaign warning that "homosexual marriage" would be taught in public schools.

The campaign to defend gay marriage countered that Maine's state curriculum guidelines contain no reference to marriage, and the state's Democratic attorney general, Janet Mills, issued an opinion backing that up. But the ads continued.

"It is infuriating to see that the same fear-mongering ads that were used to pass Prop. 8 a year ago have triumphed again at the expense of so many," said Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national gay rights group.

Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, came away with a different message.

"Over and over again, the American people have affirmed marriage at the ballot box and turned aside the demands of a movement that remains largely driven by Hollywood, some extreme activists and a few activist judges," he said. "We hope the message sent by Maine's voters will be heard in Washington and state capitals around the nation."

---

David Crary reported from New York.

ISML 2009: Hinagiku Katsura brings the Tiara to Hakuoh!

ISML 2009: Hinagiku Katsura brings the Tiara to Hakuoh!

November 3, 2009

On an Election Day where thousands of Americans went off to vote for their candidates, and the fans have spoken. Hinagiku Katsura is your 2009 International Saimoe League Champion.

In one of the largest turnouts in the history of the young competition, the student council president of Hakuoh Academy prevailed. Katsura, an expert kendo practitioner and love interest of Hayate Ayasaki (along with Nagi Sanzen'in) defeated Shana in a thrilling 2117-2106 nail-biter of a contest at the core of the Big Dog, the Star of Sirius.

The victory sparked wild celebrations across the school and at the Sanzen'in estate in Nerima, Tokyo.

At Hakuoh, fans witnessed Katsura return from Sirius via teleportation, holding the prestigious crown and her kendo sword while wearing a restored version of her outfit, which was torn from battle.

"I have never felt so good in my life," Katsura said, shedding tears of joy. "The last time I won something meaningful was a few years ago, when I won the Korean Best Moe tournament. To succeed Fate Testarossa Harlaown and win the International Saimoe League...it's like a dream come true.

"I feel like I am in heaven, and I'm floating over the world drenched in the air of victory. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life."

The rally concluded with Katsura singing some of her hits from her album, as well as a stirring rendition of Kotoko's "Hayate no Gotoku!"

"We knew that once she defeated Shana," explained Ayasaki, "that she had it. She was facing a tough go at it, but once Katsura had that advantage, it was a done deal. Hinagiku is the best in the world. There is no denying it now."

"I am going to go naked and get drunk and freewheel around the campus," said a rather buzzed Yukiji Katsura. "My younger sister did it! Banzai Hina-chan! Banzai!!! Yeah!"

Meanwhile, it was a somber mood at the Shana camp.

"Well that sucked," said Margery Daw. "We were hoping for her to pull through. In the end, we didn't have enough leverage to figure Hinagiku out. That proved to be Shana's undoing."

Shana was unavailable for comment. However her personal speaker/agent, Alastor, quoted, "My master is very disappointed to see the lack of fan support for her cause. She congratulated Hinagiku Katsura in her victory while conceding defeat, but denounces the lack of voters supporting her. My master wishes to not comment any further on the defeat, and looks forward to the 2010 season."

Some Hakuoh students were in disbelief that Katsura, an #11 seed, could go on to win the entire tournament. However, Ayumu Nishizawa just had a feeling that things would go her way.

"You have to believe," Nishizawa said. "I did, and this is your result. Anything is possible in the ISML. Katsura-san proved that."

With the win, Katsura is the first competitor not in the top 16 to win the title, and becomes the first competitor to win at least one necklace on route to the Tiara.

---

A special exhibition in Madrid saw Haruka Nogizaka crush Yin of Darker than Black 2766-1328. "It's going to be a thrill for me to take on Hinagiku Katsura," Nogizaka said after the contest. "I even have her uniform and replicas of her clothing-down to her pantsu and spats-in my room. I congratulate Hinagiku-chan on her win, and I want to challenge her next year."

In Round 11 of the ISML Relegation, Mai Kawasumi finished at the top, in spite of losing to Reimu Hakurei 2126-2088 in Cairo. Index Prohibitorum finished her run with a 2185-1958 win over Chii inTokyo, Sayuri Kurata wrapped up her run with a 2184-1836 win over Nayuki Minase in New York City, Yuuhi Katagiri ended her campaign on a high note with a 2526-1633 victory over Evangeline McDowell in Buenos Aires, Hayate Yagami took out Vita 2409-1598 in Moscow, Mikoto Misaka ran down Misuzu Kamio 2244-1978 in London and Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere-who will return next season anyway due to her finish in Japan-wrapped up her run with a 2502-1709 trouncing of Ayu Tsukimiya in Sydney.

The ISML Tiara may have been decided, but the ISML Relegation Tournament is far from over. On Thursday, the season concludes with a series of exhibitions in New York, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Moscow, London and Sydney. And the Relegation Finals in Tokyo will put the 2009 International Saimoe League season to rest.

2009 INTERNATIONAL SAIMOE LEAGUE

FINAL TOP 16

1. Hinagiku Katsura (C) (RUB)

2. Shana (SAP)

3. Tomoyo Sakagami (AQ)

4. Yuki Nagato (TOP)

5. Kyou Fujibayashi

6. Fate Testarossa Harlaown

7. Taiga Aisaka

8. Kagami Hiiragi

9. Haruhi Suzumiya

10. Mikuru Asahina

11. Rin Tosaka

12. Suigintou (AM)

13. Horo

14. Nanoha Takamachi

15. Suiseiseki (EM)

16. Shinku (DIA)

C = ISML Champion

AQ = Aquamarine necklace champion

TOP = Topaz necklace champion

AM = Amethyst necklace champion

SAP = Sapphire necklace champion

EM = Emerald necklace champion

RUB = Ruby necklace champion

DIA = Diamond necklace champion

Reflections on Melody Ross

It's not characteristic of me to talk about a school who I despise out of envy, at least in terms of their athletic programs. Lakewood had finished second to Wilson in girls' golf, volleyball and tennis, and I wondered; just how many more times are we going to finish runner-up to them?


But as an alumnus of a school whose district is shared by the other, as well as four other major Long Beach high school, I write this in solidarity.


As you all know, Melody Ross was a 16-year old pole vaulter/honors student at Wilson when she was shot, donning the garment of Kara Zor-El, known as Supergirl. This tragedy spread like wildfire, and people are still talking about the magnitude of the crime.


The gunman is still at large, but it looks to me that fate may be closing in on him soon. I'll curse the day the fates buy him time to atone for his crimes.


Anyway, here's how I got the news. I was at my school's homecoming game with Millikan. We trashed the Rams 60-7. It was a mess. So I head to the bus, but I end up missing it. I thought that was the 101 or 103 bus heading to the Westside. Turns out, that was just the bus heading towards Seventh Street. After I get off the 103 and head home, I trade shots with some of the people at the Long Beach Post web site, and then I get this news: "Friday Night Shootings: One At Wilson High, One Officer-Involved."


Uh oh. I read more news, and then I see the comments come out left and right on this event. I thought, man, I gotta take a look at this. I wasn't there to take a glimpse at what happened last night, but I could have if I made it time to get on board that 93 heading downtown.


So when I passed by on Saturday, everything was quiet. I was singing "I Believe" by the Blessid Union of Souls on my iPod. I saw a few posters celebrating Homecoming, and then I walk by a throng of students surrounding a set of flowers, candles and incense.


Then I pass by the stadium. Above the stands I could see arcs of ballons in Wilson's colors, a sad reminder of what was a day to celebrate the return of Bruins past and the great deeds of superheroes turn into a unforgettable, unforgivable Nightmare on Ximeno Avenue. I had to hold back tears after coming to terms with this.


Even some Lakewood Lancers fans went to send their condolences. The Lancers are scheduled to face the Bruins on November 13. I screamed to the heavens, "Justice Will Be Served! Rest In Peace!"


And the healing process continues. I start to question if the season finale is going to be held at Wilson, especially after seeing this unfold. I would rather see this at Vets Stadium, if only for the safety of the players, fans, students, etc.

Rest in peace, noble Bruin. As your mother said to you before you went, "You can fly now."