SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019 ENTERPRISE-RECORD+MERCURY-REGISTER | SPORTS C | 3

NBA ROUNDUP Irving scores 23, leads Celtics past Knicks

The Associated Press

NEW YORK >> had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists before a Madison Square Garden crowd eager to start the free agent wooing five months early, and the Boston Celt- ics beat New York 113-99 on Friday night in the Knicks’ first game since trading Kristaps Porzingis. CONTRIBUTED — EDDIE SALTZMAN The trade to Dallas gave From left to right: Durham High’s Tiyanna Leal, Claire Patterson, Natalie Nees, Zoey the Knicks money to chase Mauk, Kai Kenney and Sofia Poblano. two top free agents this MARY ALTAFFER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS summer and fans showed guard Kyrie Irving drives to the basket broken arm and now car- interest in wrestling.” Irving that they want him against guard during the Wrestling ries a glaring scar on her Poblano recruited other to be one of them, cheering second half on Friday at Madison Square Garden in New left arm from the injury. girls, cheerleaders and for- him before and during his York. The Celtics won 113-99. FROM PAGE 1 She won’t wrestle a boy mer gymnasts, to try out return from a two-game ab- anymore, unless it’s one her wrestling. sence with a hip injury. She kindly declined un- friends in practice. “It was a fun experience added 18 ing league MVP. He hit five high 10 3-pointers, Dennis til she spoke with some “I won’t go to that tour- with a little freshman girls points for the Celtics, who of his first six shots and Schroder scored 24 of his 28 friends who were on the nament because of PTSD team,” Poblano said. “The won for the eighth time in scored 15 points in the first points in the second quar- team and expressed that of being on that mat and main girls we have now, nine games. quarter but then went cold. ter and Oklahoma City ex- they loved the sport. remembering what it was we have six or seven main scored He missed 10 of his next 11 tended the NBA’s longest Thitphaneth finally like,” Hyatt said. wrestlers, who want to 22 points and Kevin Knox shots and also missed four current winning streak to caved and came out to a Now, Hyatt is one of the keep the tradition going.” had 21 for the Knicks, who free throws. seven games by beating Mi- wrestling practice. standouts for the Durham Kai Kenney, another dropped their 12th straight. HORNETS 100, GRIZZLIES 92 ami. “After a couple days of girls wrestling team. Her wrestler on the Durham Irving is one of the head- >> scored 23 Russell Westbrook got practice I thought ‘Wow training regimen involves girls team, was a former line names in the 2019 free points, Marvin Williams his fifth straight triple-dou- this is very enjoyable. This working out before school gymnast who switched to agent class, and though he hit two key 3-pointers and ble and 18th of the season, is a good way to take out and running at night after the mat. said at a Celtics fan event swatted finishing with 14 points, 12 my anger,'” Thitphaneth practice. Her father, Trent, is also last fall that he intended away a pair of late shots, rebounds and 14 assists. said. “I’m liking it quite a When she’s on the mat, the Durham girls wrestling to re-sign in Boston, that leading Charlotte past de- Steven Adams added 13 for bit now.” whether it’s a dual or at a coach. may be no guarantee. He pleted Memphis. the Thunder. At Chico High, Serenity tournament, her mind is “He’s been pushing me told reporters at the morn- Memphis suited up just Oklahoma City beat Mi- Colmenero is in her junior elsewhere. forever to do wrestling,” ing shootaround to “Ask 10 healthy players and was ami for the sixth straight year and took up wrestling “I don’t really focus. I Kenney said. “A lot of peo- me July 1” if his plans had minus star Mike Conley, out time, and became the sec- for the first time this sea- just think about singing ple, it’s hard to get the foot- changed. because of soreness in his ond team to have two sep- son. songs in my head. I take work, but I had that natu- Irving got a loud ovation left knee. Starters Kyle An- arate winning streaks of at Colmenero has always my mind off of wrestling,” rally. Balance and flexibil- when starting lineups were derson and Jaren Jackson least seven games this sea- been strong and was seek- Hyatt said. “I just think of ity. It helps so much when announced and again when Jr. also were sidelined. son. Golden State is the ing a tough sport to play. other things besides wres- it comes to wrestling in a he touched the ball early in Williams’ 26-foot shot other, with streaks of 11 and Her mom was opposed to tling.” match. I love wrestling.” the game. A brief “We want with 2:55 left tied it, and eight games. her playing football so she She’ll usually be think- Kenney earned her first Kyrie! We want Kyrie!” his deep jumper 38 sec- Kelly Olynyk scored 21 instead joined the wres- ing of the lyrics to ’80s pop victory in the seventh grade chant echoed through the onds later gave the Hornets for Miami, which fell to the tling. songs like Cyndi Lauper’s at her very first tourna- arena in the third quarter. the lead for good at 93-90. No. 8 spot in the Eastern “She said (football) was “Girls Just Want to Have ment. NUGGETS 136, ROCKETS 122 >> Williams finished with 16 Conference. Josh Richard- too intense,” Colemenero Fun” or “Manic Monday” “I wrestled a boy, and Nikola Jokic had 31 points, points. son scored 18 and Hassan said. “So I went and tried by The Bangles — anything I kicked his butt,” she re- 13 rebounds and nine as- scored 14 of Whiteside finished with 12 wrestling and I love it.” to get her mind off of wres- called. I pinned him. From sists, Malik Beasley had a his 20 points in the fourth points and 16 rebounds for Colemenero has always tling. that day I was like ‘I love career-high 35 points and quarter. The Hornets were the Heat. been athletic. She pre- Jennifer Soto, a fresh- this sport.'” Denver beat Houston. shooting just 36.8 percent JAZZ 128, HAWKS 122 >> Rudy viously ran the 100-me- man at Orland High, Houston’s James Harden from 3-point distance Gobert had 25 points and 13 ter dash, plus the 200 and has been wrestling for The future scored 30 points to extend through the third quarter. rebounds to lead the Utah 400-meter races for the five years. She’s already Sajadi, a junior at Chico his streak to 25 games of Biyombo had just one over Atlanta. track team while also com- achieved a plethora of feats, High, has emerged as one scoring 30 or more points. point but he blocked Ja- Ricky Rubio added 22 peting for the snowboard including a silver medal of the top female wrestlers He needed a late 3-pointer Mychal Green’s dunk at- points and 11 assists, and and cross-country teams. at the Pan American U15 in the section. to keep the streak alive, tempt with 1:48 to go and Joe Ingles chipped in 19 But wrestling has now Championships in Mexico Sajadi started her fresh- and it came well after the swatted away a layup at- points, seven rebounds, taken priority for Colemen- back in September. man year but this season game was in hand for Den- tempt by 20 and five assists. Seven Utah ero. “That was an amazing made the decision to pur- ver. seconds later. He finished players scored in double fig- “I regret not doing it my experience,” Soto said. “To sue a future in wrestling. The Nuggets couldn’t with seven rebounds and ures as the Jazz won their freshman year. I didn’t be- wrestle girls from Cuba, “It’s unbelievable. She stop Harden, but they three blocks. third straight at home. cause I was scared people Panama, it was just amaz- has so quickly risen to the ended a nine-game losing Mack led Memphis with Trae Young had 28 points wouldn’t like me on the ing and seeing all those dif- top,” Rollins said. “She has streak against Houston. 19 points and nine assists and nine assists to lead the team,” she said. “Now, I ferent styles.” totally captured my heart. Harden’s streak started and Justin Holiday and Ivan Hawks. John Collins scored want to do it my whole life. Soto was inspired by her It’s inspiring. I’m excited with a 50-point night Rabb added 15 points each 19 points, Dewayne Ded- I love it so much.” older brother Francisco Co- for her and I want to see against the Los Ange- for the Grizzlies. mon added 15 and Kevin Rollins has watched rona, a former wrestler for her attain her goals.” les Lakers on Dec. 13, and THUNDER 118, HEAT 102 Huerter finished with 14. Colemenero grow on the his high school team back Sajadi hopes to wrestle nearly ended on a tough >> scored 43 Atlanta lost for the third mat in just her first year. in Washington. Corona, at the collegiate level and shooting night for the reign- points and had a career- time in four games. “She has embraced the who is 10 years older, has possibly earn a scholar- grind from day one. She’s kept Soto motivated as she ship. But when Sajadi was one of the toughest kids strives to be the best female a freshman, she didn’t nec- NFL I ever met my entire life,” wrestler in the area. essarily have a female wres- Rollins said. “Her level of “This sport mentally tler to look up to — now she pain tolerance, her level of breaks you. All those losses wants to become that pio- Patriots have habit of Super intensity. It’s cool because that I had … my brother neer. she does half of it with a would always pick me back “No girls from Chico smile on her face. She’s got up,” Soto said. “He would High have gone to college Bowl trips, Rams are newcomers this twisted, sick sense like say ‘Jen it’s all going to pay for wrestling. When I came bring it on. I love it.” off.’ I kept striving for it. in I didn’t really have some- By Barry Wilner This last year I achieved a one to look to,” Sajadi said. The Associated Press The Veterans lot of goals.” “I clicked with the boys. Hyatt, a junior at Dur- When Soto first started I looked up to the boys. I ATLANTA >> Hey, have you ham High, has been wres- wrestling at 9 years old, she want to be a role model for guys been here before? tling since she was in sec- was always one of two girls the younger girls.” If you’re a New England ond grade. at tournaments. As an only child, Sajadi’s Patriot, the answer pretty She was the only girl on Now, in high school, Soto family has embraced her much is “all the time.” the youth Durham wres- is winning matches over wrestling career, although If you play for the Rams, tling team and would often both the boys and the girls. it’s taken some adjusting. the reply basically is “never be the only girl competing “Back when I started Sajadi said her father used in my life.” at tournaments. wrestling you’d see me and to scream a lot while her So if experience is a “I remember when I was one other girl wrestling all matches, he’s since calmed factor in Sunday’s Super younger I wrestled the these boys,” Soto said. “It’s down. Bowl, the overwhelming boys,” Hyatt said. “I remem- awesome to see so many “My dad kind of en- edge is with the 2½-point ber wrestling one kid, and girls doing it. It’s amazing vies me a little. He said favorites from Foxborough he would look at his coach to see all these girls who can he wishes he would have who are 5-3 in NFL title MATT ROURKE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS like ‘I don’t know what to potentially be something in wrestled. He’s gotten teary games with Tom Brady New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks to pass do.’ I went and attacked this sport and not just wres- eyed,” Sajadi said. “He’d at quarterback and Bill during NFL football practice, Friday in Atlanta, as the team him and won.” tle (in high school).” probably like a little fighter Belichick in the hoodie on prepares for Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams. She described herself as Like Soto, other girls — a football player. But he the sideline. a tomboy back then and have been inspired by older got a little fighter.” The Rams, whose past teammates, in their third terback.” would often go to school siblings to take on wres- In a first for the CIF State two Super trips were rep- straight visit, barely flinch Nowhere is the experi- wearing her brother’s tling. Wrestling Championships, resenting St. Louis in at all the attention, media ence matchup more uneven clothes. But she felt like she Sofia Poblano, a senior the finals will feature both 2000 and ‘02, have four demands and alterations than at QB. At 41, Brady al- fit in with the boys and be- for Durham, watched her the girls and the boys com- players who have gotten to the norm they encoun- ready is the oldest quarter- came stronger from wres- older brother Noah succeed peting in Bakersfield. Last this far. New England has ter during Super Bowl week back to start a Super Bowl. tling them. on the mat. year, the girls finals were four on its defensive line — although they were taken Goff is 24 and one of the “I was treated like a boy,” “My brother, he was so held in Visalia. The tourna- alone. aback somewhat by the ca- youngest. Hyatt said. “There was no close to state. He was one ment was also expanded to “Probably, throughout cophony and circus atmo- Well, maybe nowhere is sympathy if they hurt me.” match away. I have it in me a three-day event. the week, it gives them an sphere of opening night on an exaggeration, because She had no problem to do that,” Poblano said. Sajadi finished one win advantage,” Rams tackle Monday. Aside from Aqib Belichick, at 66, could be- wrestling boys until a tour- “He’s somebody I look up shy of going to state last Andrew Whitworth says Talib, C.J. Anderson, Bran- come the oldest coach nament her freshman year to.” year. Kenney was one point — and he’s finishing up his din Cooks and Sam Shields, to win a Super Bowl. He rattled her. Poblano has been wres- short of advancing from the 13th NFL season, though for the Rams this is un- has worked 41 postseason At the No Guts, No Glory tling since her freshman masters regional tourna- it’s his first that ends in charted territory. games, with 30 victories, tournament in Rocklin, Hy- year. She grew up in Oro- ment to state last season. February. Rams coach Sean Mc- most among head coaches att placed third but recalls ville and transferred to Soto is determined to win “They kind of know this Vay tends to dismiss that in NFL history. He’s the wrestling a boy and suf- Durham to attend high a state title all four years week. They know when theory, however. Using only head coach with five fering a traumatic injury. school. of high school and possibly things are a little anxious, quarterback Jared Goff as Super Bowl rings. Her opponent lifted her up She’s not allowed to qualify for the 2024 Olym- when to kind of, ‘Hey, turn an example, McVay could McVay is half his age and and on her way down she wrestle boys, a rule that’s pics. Poblano wants to win it on and get ready to play.’ have been speaking for his in his first NFL title game, posted her arm on the mat, enforced by her parents. a state title in honor of her They probably have a pro- entire squad, which has the youngest Super Bowl breaking it. But her first year, she was brother. cess and plan for the week.” made a sensational turn- head man. “At the same time he the only girl on the team. “I think a lot of coaches Athletes in every sport around in his two seasons Rams President Kevin chopped it,” Hyatt said. “At the time there was want to see (girls wres- talk about how helpful a in charge. Demoff hears all of that so- “Ever since then I’ve been no girls team,” Poblano tling) break off for its own comfort zone can be. It’s “He’s an unfazed quar- called evidence, then cites nervous, like PTSD of wres- said. “Freshman year the thing,” Rollins said. “I per- even more pronounced terback,” McVay says. “I so many positives about tling a boy. Before that I coaches compromised say- sonally want to see it rise when it accompanies events think his way to have suc- McVay that he sounds like was fine.” ing if I could find girls that together.” such as the Super Bowl, cess and handle adversity the next dominant coach. Hyatt, who also pitches would wrestle, then they which, for better or worse, the same demonstrates Sunday will be a power- and plays shortstop for the would totally have me. I Contact reporter Sharon transcends football. that poise and confidence ful acid test for McVay and softball team, suffered a found other girls with an Martin at 530-896-7778. Brady and most of his you want from your quar- his team.