Category Archives: sports

The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant

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From behind-the-scenes insight to life-changing advice, Kobe Bryant’s autobiography is a great motivator for young athletes and a memoir of his style of play.

The book opens with a foreword from Pau Gasol, a longtime teammate of Kobe and a member of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class. Pau opens with a story about when he first got traded to the Lakers. When Pau arrived at his room at 1 AM, Kobe was there to introduce himself. On page 15, Pau says, “To me, that was a tremendous demonstration of a true leader, and our meeting had a huge impact on me, instantly.”

These short anecdotes throughout the book show both Kobe’s development and mindset. While these stories are great, there are some points in the book when the topic changes without warning. For example, Kobe talks about his 2013 Achilles injury, and how it could have been career-ending. Immediately after, he talks about his signature 2008 sneakers. These sudden transitions can be slightly off-putting at first, but it is the style of the book.

An overwhelming positive of the book is the photography by Andrew D. Bernstein, the official photographer for the Lakers and Clippers. Photos span from Kobe’s rookie headshot to his final game.

The formatting of the book is also extremely unique. Instead of just pages of text, many portions of the book are dedicated to full-page images. Quotes and other titles are shown in different fonts and colors to stand out even more. This helps separate pieces of information and makes it easier to digest information.

Overall, the imagery and formatting of the book are more than enough to make it an interesting read. If you are not a basketball player or an athlete, Kobe’s “Mamba Mentality” still applies. He preaches that the mindset is not “about seeking a result-it’s more about the process of getting to that result. It’s about the journey and the approach. It’s a way of life” (pg.93).

Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Squats and Tips

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My Labor Day was one of usual day, and my mom took me to the gym. I did squats today. Beginning of joining the gym, many of my exercising “forms” are incorrect. Before I injure myself, mom got me personal trainings which is one-on-one training. Now I know what correct forms are, I see many people are using the machines and exercising in incorrect way. Let me share what I have learned some tips. Today I would like to write about squats. 

Squats: 

– Front Squat

– Back Squat

– Sumo Squat 

– Jump Squat

Tips: 

  • First, you can’t let your knees go past your toes while doing a squat. 
  • Second, you must arch your back.
  • Third, you must squat like you’re about to sit on a chair. 

When my trainer told me this I had a hard time fixing my squatting stance or form but over time I started feeling better because my stance was better. 

The first squat I did was the front squats. They are supposed to work on your quads and glutes, back squats, sumo squats, jump squats. Most of the squats worked on my legs. For the jump squat, I was supposed to jump as high as I can and I got really pushed by my trainer so that my legs felt like twigs. 

After I worked out, my muscles were pumped up. This is a good thing to happen after a workout. It shows that my muscles have worked enough to where the muscle cells have been tearing and starting to build up the muscle. 

Protein: 

Make sure that you take protein after you workout within 30 minutes, because your muscles become like a sponge for being able to take a lot of protein so it is best to take protein right after you’re done with your workout. Then I went home and took my best nap I have ever had. 

Football Practice at High School

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Today I went to football practice after school and did some drills. The coach had all these drills to do and planned them out. Today is a short day at school so the football practice had to be short too.

The first drill to do are the sprints. This is where you are supposed to run as hard as I can through the 60 yards cones and walk back slowly to pace your heartbeat and on the second sprint I have to run as hard as I can to the cones and slowly walk back the twice as far than last time. So we meet up with the coach and say, “You guys will be doing sprints so be in your lines as fast you can.” Then we all dashed to our lines that we were supposed to be in and started the sprints.

As we finished the sprint I wasn’t actually tired, I thought we could have done more of the sprints and had less walking distance. And I thought of a drill where we have to sprint to the 60 yards cones and only walk half of the distance then we run again. And most of us were not tired so I ran for another one on my own. 

Surfing Pros and Cons

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I LOVE SURFING! All summer, my family, my friends and I go surfing. Regardless of the fact that we have been surfing for years now, we still go to Doheny Beach because I have been teaching my friends to surf as well. After I teach and surf with my beginner friends, I always ask them if they liked it or not. Here are their (and my) pros and cons of surfing.

Pros

  • It’s refreshing. The cool water against the hot summer weather makes you feel nice and fresh.
  • Health benefits. During the summer, most people like to binge out and watch Netflix shows (I am literally doing that right now), but you do have to stay active. Surfing is a great way to get your exercise without going for a run or lifting weights. You have to paddle a lot which really helps your arms. Every summer that my brothers and I have surfed, we have come out with muscles on our arms. It also helps your balance, you have to stand up on a moving board. The amount of core strength and stability that you must have is surprising. 
  • Fun thing to do with friends. I love going out surfing with my friends. It is so fun to cheer when they catch a wave and, I am going to be honest here, make fun of them when they fall. You also get to talk and catch up a lot when you are waiting for the next set (lots of waves in a row).
  • Wildlife! Even though Doheny Beach is a closed off beach with the rock pier, wildlife still runs rampant. We have seen turtles, sting rays, sand sharks, sea lions, crabs, hermit crabs, sea slugs and so much more!!!! Surfing with sea turtles is the best thing and every surfer I have met has their own names for the 2 turtles that tend to swim by. My brothers and I affectionately call them Benjamin and Carl, but I have met someone who calls the Potato and other quirky names. With wildlife comes…
  • Respect for Mother Nature. My siblings and I grew up on the beach and have so much respect for nature. While surfing, we pick up every piece of plastic or trash we see floating around. We have learned to watch, but never touch the turtles. To pick up, but never take home or endanger the crabs. To never harm any wildlife. Respect for wildlife is very important and recently people have been acting more and more harsh towards Planet Earth. 
  • Life Skills. You get better posture and learn resilience. The posture comes from all of your standing on the moving board. Resilience is practiced when you fall off or don’t catch a wave, you have to try again. 

Cons

  • You wipe out. I’m just going to go ahead and say it; you will wipe out. You will get water up your nose and sand in places sand is not supposed to be. But you will also get the feeling of flying while you catch a wave. 
  • It’s crowded. No matter which beach you visit, it will be crowded. We live in Southern CA in the summer. You have to learn to live with the other surfers and children. It is worth it though, because sometimes you are the other surfer and/or child and you want to be safe.
  • It’s hot or cold. I hate wearing wetsuits, so for me the water is either freezing cold or nice. It could be so cold my arms turn red when I am paddling and my teeth chatter as I ride. The temperature outside can be so hot you feel as if you sunburn just stepping out of the car. It is worth it if you wear sunscreen and  take proper care of your skin. You also get a nice tan. 
  • You need to practice. Don’t expect to go out, catch a wave and stand up on your first try. Don’t even expect to stand up in your first week! It took me 3 weeks to stand up and 3 summers to catch MOST of the waves I wanted. You need to keep on practicing, however, it’s like riding a bike. You don’t forget how to surf, just how to be good at it.

I love surfing and think that more people should learn how. It’s a great way to hang out with friends, exercise and not get sweaty during the summer. I recommend learning how to surf!!

Incoming Freshmen: Join a sport!

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With summer coming to a close, it is time to consider classes and extracurriculars for the upcoming school year.

If you are an incoming freshman or an upperclassman looking to be more active, you should join a sport. It will help you make friends, promote team building, and help you stay active. Sports are a worthwhile investment for any student, even if you are nervous about high school or unconfident in your abilities.

High school can be an exciting experience, especially if you do not know anyone. Besides joining clubs and classes, another option for making friends is sports. Sports often help you meet new people with common interests. Working hard and training together can help build strong relationships. Teammates can also ensure that you do not slack off and may help keep you accountable.

Personally, before I joined my high school swim team, club swimming was much more about setting personal records and getting certain time cuts. But in high school, the focus is winning as a team. Depending on how you place in your race, you gain a certain number of points. The winner is decided by which team has the most combined points overall. Even if you are not getting as many points as your other teammates, every single point counts.

The outcome of a meet or game is decided by the team as a whole. This may motivate you to work harder and dedicate more time to your craft. In team sports, everyone has to work hard in order to win.

Finally, sports give you a much-needed break from more educational classes. No matter how good of a student you are, you will eventually be subject to burnout. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air gives you a break from the classroom. This exercise could be beneficial for you both mentally and physically. Sometimes in media, athletes are portrayed as having lower grades. But, as long as you are managing your time wisely, you can succeed in both sports and education.

Whether you are looking to make new friends, get a break from the classroom, or better yourself, joining high school sports is a great option. Remember, no one is great when they first start, but all it takes is hard work and practice.

JAG Swimming, June 24th

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This week, I went to a state competition, known as JAG, which stands for June Age Group Championships. It was so exciting!

Going to JAG is no small feat. Only so many swimmers can make the cut and get in. This was my first time going, and boy was it fun! I swam multiple events at JAG, but my favorite were the 200 breaststroke, 400 freestyle, and 200 freestyle.

My first event was the 200 breaststroke. Standing on the starting block, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. When the whistle blew, I dived in the water ready to try my best to win my heat. I managed to get 2nd overall, but I was kind of disappointed since I was only a couple of milliseconds off first place!(the agony).

For me, the hardest event was the 200 freestyle. My swim coach told me to sprint the whole 8 laps! Needless to say, I finished 4th in my heat, which was kind of surprising, since it was my first time swimming the 200 freestyle long course. The 400 freestyle was pretty decent, I ended up getting 3rd overall out of all the 12 year-olds in my age group. I even won a medal for it!

To be honest, JAG was incredibly fun, but it wasn’t just about the races, though. It was an incredible gathering of young swimmers like me. I met new friends who shared the same passion for the water. We cheered each other on, celebrating our achievements and supporting one another. It was such a positive and encouraging environment. Looking back, my JAG experience was truly memorable. The thrill of the races, the friendships formed, and the sense of accomplishment—it all made it worthwhile. It’s these moments that make me love swimming even more. So, to all those swimmers out there, I just want to tell you to keep pushing and to never give up. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll have your own JAG tale to share!

My Top 10 NBA Players

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NBA Top 100: Ranking the best players from 10-1 - Sports IllustratedThis has been a heated debate for a really long time now, and it always changes depending on each player’s performance paired with their team’s success. So, I’m going to give you guys my top 10 NBA players in the league today. 

  1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is simply an unstoppable player. He’s almost impossible to guard because of his strength and athleticism. If he gets inside the paint, it’s almost a guaranteed basket. His shooting has been a weakness of his for a while, but he has been working on it and has improved. The way Giannis makes the team better along with his unbelievable skills makes him the best player in the NBA, at the moment.

  1. Stephen Curry

Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of all time. There’s no argument to that. He has shattered records throughout his career related to his ability to shoot the three pointer along with his overall efficiency from the field. Stephen Curry is an electric offensive player that can get hot in just a few minutes and light your favorite team up for 40 points any given night. He is also a great team player, since he is willing to rebound and give up the ball to his teammates. His defense is very improved from where it used to be, and even at the age of 35 years old, Steph Curry still has a lot left in the tank. 

  1. Joel Embiid

Dominance, dominance, dominance! That’s what Joel Embiid provides the Philadelphia 76ers with every night. He averaged 33 points per game this season and was one of the best players in the league. His ability to post up, face up, and draw fouls makes him unguardable and even if you find a way to defend him, he’ll still end up drawing a foul and going to the line for two shots. 

  1. Luka Doncic

This season was a failure for Luka’s team since they failed to make the postseason. However, Luka still averaged 32 points per game along with 8 assists and 8 rebounds. Although his team’s success dropped him further down this list, he’s still an offensive machine who can do anything to get his team some points. However, his lack of defensive ability is the reason he isn’t as high on this list. 

  1. Kevin Durant

The long, lanky small forward is an offensive weapon. He can score from anywhere on the court, although he excels from the mid-range. KD can drive to the basket, pull up for a jumper, or nail a long distance three-ball. He can literally do anything on the court. Also, he can lock up on defense from time to time and swat the ball away when other players try to drive against him. KD has the potential to be number one on this list, except his injuries prevent him from staying on the court for the majority of the season like Giannis. 

  1. Lebron James

I know he’s 38, but we need to give this man his flowers! In his 20th year in the league, Lebron averaged 29 points per game! Although he isn’t as dominant as he was in his prime, James is often the best player on the court and can take over a game any time he wants to. Lebron’s shooting has improved throughout his career and he is still one of the best players in the game, even when he is much older than some other guys. 

  1. Nikola Jokic

Jokic is a two-time MVP and some people may believe that he’s much higher on this list than I put him, but I had to put him at 7th because I don’t think Jokic can take over a game like the other guys above him can. Yes, Jokic is a really valuable player to his team and is crucial to their success due to his scoring and playmaking, but he just isn’t as dominant as the other guys. If I need a bucket with my team down two points, I’d much rather ask Giannis to bulldoze his way into the paint, Steph to pull up from three, or Kevin Durant to get me a basket than ask Nikola Jokic to score. However, Nikola Jokic is an incredible basketball player and should not be dis-credited for everything he has done for the Denver Nuggets. 

  1. Jayson Tatum

The Celtics superstar is one of the top two-way players in the league and can score at will. His step back jumper makes him a lethal offensive weapon and a challenge for any player to guard. This season, he averaged 30 points per game, showing his rapid improvement even at a very young age. 

  1. Kawhi Leonard

Although Kawhi Leonard has struggled with injuries the last two seasons, he’s still an incredible player. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the league and one of the best scorers, too. He is gifted with some insane athleticism and strength that give him the tools he needs to impact the game. 

  1. Anthony Davis

The Lakers big man has proven his incredible abilities on the basketball court since he was drafted first overall back in 2012. He has an elite post-up game along with great footwork near the basket. His largest weakness has been how injury prone he is as he has gotten injured often and been forced to miss large amounts of time in the regular season and even the playoffs. 

The Dallas Cowboys’ Offseason Overview (So Far)

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With the NFL training camps approaching in over a month and the draft/free agency being over, I wanted to share some of my thoughts and opinions on the offseason of my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.

I think most people would agree that the Cowboys had a solid offseason. They fixed their two biggest needs, wide-receiver and cornerback, by picking up Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore. These are two excellent pickups, especially for the price the Cowboys got them at. Cooks was acquired for just a 2023 fifth-round pick plus a 2024 sixth-round pick while Gilmore was traded for only another fifth-round pick. Brandin Cooks has six 1000 yard seasons in his nine year career, which is one of the most in the league. Quarterback Dak Prescott struggled with interceptions last year (15 in 12 games). The main reason for this is because of his lack of wide-receiver help. His number 2 and 3 receivers, Michael Gallup and Noah Brown, had some of the worse separation in the league. Not to say Prescott is not at fault for these interceptions, but Cooks should be a major asset in the passing game and help him thrive. Meanwhile, Stephon Gilmore is a five-time pro bowler and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Pairing him with another elite cornerback in Trevon Diggs could be a nightmare for offenses. The Cowboys also resigned some essential players, such as LB Leighton Vander-Esch, safety Donovan Wilson, and RB Tony Pollard.

Although everything I have said makes this offseason seem perfect, there were a couple moments that some people were not happy with. Dalton Schultz leaving in free agency to the Houston Texans could possibly be a problem in this upcoming season. The topic is controversial, however, as some believe it would make a major impact while others feel that it will not change anything at all. Schultz was definitely a solid tight end and a “security blanket” for Dak Prescott, but in my opinion, I don’t think it will be as bad as people are making it seem. Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, and newly acquired Luke Schoonmaker may be able to fill his role. Speaking of Schoonmaker, he was another addition that many Cowboys fans dislike. Coming out of Michigan, he was seen as a decent tight end that should be drafted in the mid-third round. However, the Cowboys decided to draft him with their second round pick, leaving many fans confused and furious. This move cannot be labeled as good or bad as he has not played a single snap of football yet but during the season, we can see how he plays and progresses to truly determine whether or not he was a reach.

Overall, the Cowboys had a successful and productive offseason and I am excited for this next season. It was the first time in a while that Jerry Jones made any significant acquisition in the offseason and the team has one of the best rosters in the league. However, there are still some question marks heading into the season. One of the biggest concerns is if Dak Prescott is capable of leading the Cowboys deep in the playoffs. He has all the talent around him, and Prescott is also a talented quarterback, but he will need to be consistent to get the Cowboys past the divisional round for the first time in almost 30 years.

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant

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The Mamba Mentality: How I Play is one of my favorite books and is written by the one-and-only Kobe Bryant. For those who don’t know, Kobe Bryant is a Laker legend and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played 20 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring at 37 years old. He unfortunately passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020 when he was 41 years old. 

Before he passed away, he published a book called The Mamba Mentality: How I Play which described his view of the game. In the book, he analyzed players he faced throughout his career and described some experiences he had. He also discussed his preparation and routines that helped him become the player he was throughout his amazing NBA career. The book includes small segments from NBA Legend and Kobe’s Laker teammate Pau Gasol and Kobe’s former head coach Phil Jackson. 

Kobe Bryant was an incredible basketball player who believed in sacrificing everything and exhausting himself to the point of blacking out to reach his goals. He is a great role model for upcoming athletes and has proven that hard work leads to success. His dedication and determination to achieve his potential and be the best version of himself is shown in his book, where he explains his mentality and approach to his basketball career. 

If you are a young athlete interested in achieving your potential in your sport, I suggest studying some of Kobe’s behaviors and words (found in his book) because it was the blueprint to his success. 

Enjoy reading!

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

League Prelims and Finals for High School Swim Season

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league champs 10 year streak

The swim season is coming to an end, and league prelims and finals competition just ended. I had the best high school swim experience as a freshman on the varsity team at Tesoro High School. Not only was it enjoyable, but I also gained new friends with whom I can now talk with at school!

There were five schools competing at leagues: San Juan HS, Capo Valley HS, San Clemente HS, Aliso Viejo HS, and Tesoro HS.

I saw some of my club friends from Aliso and Capo as well. After I moved club teams I was not able to see my closest friends, but with HS swim, I was able to reunite with one of my best friends from Aliso.

Unfortunately, our coach made us wear tech suits for prelims (which for those of you who don’t know, they are tight full body swimsuits that take around 30 minutes to put on). None of the other schools required their swimmers to wear tech suits, just ours. It was really stressful too because we were the second warm up session and I thought I had enough time to put on a tech suit (p.s I didn’t).

Anyway, the goal was to swim fast enough to get into the top eight for finals. I swam the one breast and two hundred freestyle. For the hundred breaststroke I placed top eight and my 200 fr I placed ninth in the top 16.

On Friday, we swam League Finals. My first relay was the 200 IM relay and I went personal best in the 50 breastroke.

However, I did not estimate my timing well and didn’t realize that my 200 fr final was only three minutes after the relay. After I went to grab a quick sip of water and cooled down, they called my name on the blocks. I immediately ran over, however, I was too late, they already called alternates.

I had a good cry over it, but I focused on my last relay and my 100 br. I ended up going a personal best for the 100 br and went in the fastest leg in the 200 fr relay.

After they announced the points, we realized we won, and everyone jumped into the pool (along with our two coaches)! Our coaches were pushing us into the water while we were trying to the same like sumo wrestlers. It was a really fun experience! I can’t wait for next year!